Hysteria!: Season One Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		4.0

Hysteria!: Season One Blu-ray Movie Review

"Just because you can't see something doesn't mean it isn't there."

Reviewed by Justin Dekker April 29, 2025

Premiering on Peacock in October of 2024 and set in the 1989, 'Hysteria! Season One' arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Universal. The horror and nostalgia-infused series stars genre stalwart Bruce Campbell ('Evil Dead', 'Army of Darkness'), Julie Bowen ('Modern Family') and Anna Camp ('True Blood', Pitch Perfect') alongside young actors Emjay Anthony ('Bad Moms', Krampus'), Chiara Aurelia ('Cruel Summer', Luckiest Girl Alive') and Kenzii Curtis ('Dolemite is my Name'). This release includes all eight episodes spread across two Blu-ray discs. 'Hysterial Season One' is devoid of any supplemental material. Neither a slipcover nor a Digital Code are included.

Cinema has no shortage of boogeymen. Evil entities bent on death and destruction feature in a host of horror films stretching back to the very beginnings of motion pictures, with some like 1922's Nosferatu being considered not only a classic of the horror genre but of film in general. More modern horror films from the late 1970s and beyond would see the rise of various horror franchises such as Halloween, Friday the 13th, and Child's Play where the largest common thread between the growing number of installments is the boogeyman in question (Michael, Jason and Chucky),who despite, and perhaps even because of, their murderous and evil ways essentially become the stars of the franchise with cinemagoers returning time and again to bear witness to more graphic, gruesome and inventive kills and an ever-increasing body count.

It was in this horror film heyday of the 1980s as Michael, Jason, Chucky and others of their ilk were at the height of their powers when a more "real" boogeyman took center stage in communities across the United States; Satan. Just as panicked townsfolk in colonial America saw witches everywhere in the early 1690s, so, too, was Satan lurking around every corner in the 1980s. The crusade against Satan was moved forward by an amalgam of organized religion, local and federal law enforcement, concerned parent groups, and others, with Satanists being accused of abductions, child molestation, murder, and ritual sacrifice.

The very soul of the nation seemed to be at stake, and the primary Satanic recruiting tools the crusaders seemed to blame were heavy metal music and the nascent role-playing game designed by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, "Dungeons & Dragons". The latter was so worrisome that a made- for-TV movie, Mazes and Monsters (1982) starring Tom Hanks, was crafted to warn suburban parents of the mind-destroying powers of the game. While it didn't delve deeply into the Satanic aspects and dangers that various groups vociferously espoused, it still functioned as a clear warning against the game. But while "Dungeons & Dragons" in those early days had a much smaller fanbase, less name recognition, and dramatically smaller market penetration within the gaming industry as a whole, it was a different story for evils of heavy metal. Records by Ozzy Osborne, Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, and KISS, lined record store shelves in malls across the country. All were relatively mainstream acts at the time and each was accused, in one way, shape. or form of being a Satanic influence on the youth who listened to them - either by virtue of their lyrics, their cover art, their live stagecraft, or a confluence of these elements. Acts like AC/DC and KISS faced additional accusations as various concerned groups alleged their very names were acronyms that divulged and gave credence to their Satanic origins and allegiances. It's this world that Hysteria! Season One calls home.

High school can be tough, and for Dylan (Emjay Anthony), Jordy (Chiara Aurelia), and Spud (Kenzii Curtis), three teens who don't quite fit in with any of the established cliques in Happy Hollow, the only solace they have is each other and the music they cover and create in their fledgling band, Deth Krunch. The band struggles to find a fanbase and generate enough money to bankroll a demo tape until Dylan realizes that by following in the footsteps of some of his (and their) favorite heavy metal bands and giving their trio a decidedly Satanic flair they may gain the notoriety they crave. When a run-in with a bully confirms his suspicions, their flyers now bearing pentagrams litter the halls and even the most popular kids in the school are hopelessly intrigued. The group, no doubt inspired by KISS, paint their faces, wear the best costumes they can muster, and after a spoken introduction, they turn in a blistering and faithful rendition of Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast". With Judith, the most popular girl in school and Dylan's not-so-secret crush, among their most ardent followers, things seem to be looking up. But not for long. Happy Hollow's star athletes has gone missing. When his body is eventually found, the victim of an apparent Satanic ritual/sacrifice, it's not long before townsfolk start blaming Dylan, Jordy, and Spud. But as the ensuing events embroil several parents in unlikely and unexpected ways, it seems as if there may just be a real malevolent supernatural force at play, and it's up to Bruce Campbell's Chief Dandrige to get to the bottom of the mysterious happenings before it's too late.

There is a significant amount of nostalgia at play in Hysteria! Season One and for viewers of a certain age or younger connoisseurs of '80s culture, much of what is seen and heard will feel very familiar; comforting, even. It begins with the use of the vintage Universal logo at the top of the first episode. Dylan's room may not be neatly appointed with the best that money can buy, but his walls are adorned with posters of bands like Twisted Sister, Helloween, Black Flag, and others. Vintage Mötley Crüe t-shirts are seen, and the gang discusses KISS's success with and without makeup. Landlines, and all that goes with them, are leveraged to the fullest complete with listening in on calls by picking up a handset in another room, and receiving a spooky call when the phone line has been severed. Music also plays a significant role in each episode, with the soundtrack working in songs from the era into key moments, including one of my personal favorites, "This Corrosion" by The Sisters of Mercy. While fashions are not as outlandish as were originally seen in movies made during that decade, what is seen in the hallways of the rural high school is reasonably authentic, with the looks making sense with what would actually have made it to and been purchased by those who live outside a major metropolitan area. A Bush Quayle sign is seen on one of the lawns, stores like Montgomery Ward get mentioned, and so do films like Rosemary's Baby, Sleepaway Camp 3, and Halloween III, and cartoons like ThunderCats and The Smurfs. The only thing that didn't quite ring true was the subtle intrusion/infection of modern parlance into the teens' discussions. On more than one occasion, Dylan and those around him complain about not being "seen", a term which feels far to new for little old Happy Hollow forty years in the past. In that era, most would have discussed the concept simply in terms of cliques, "fitting in", and so on. While it likely won't be noticeable to younger viewers, for those who actually lived through the era it may chafe.

Hysteria! Season One's eight episodes, who's titles are borrowed from songs like "Can I Play With Madness", "Die Young" and "Heaven's on Fire", never fail to entertain. Its opening scene quickly and efficiently sets up the mystery that lies at the heart of the season. The young actors admirably capture and convey every aspect of the high school experience including bullying, vicious rumors, peer pressure, and the unending quest for popularity. Chiara Aurelia's Jordy impresses as the heart of the band and Dylan's often unheeded Jiminy Cricket-type advisor, with Spud often providing comedic relief. The adult cast is anchored by outstanding performances from Julie Bowen is tasked with plumbing some darker depths than what her fans are likely accustomed to seeing from her, and the increasingly unhinged Anna Camp (as Tracy Whitehead) who is bent on purging the evils of Satan and all those guilty of doing his bidding from the peaceful confines of Happy Hollow. Campbell, from whom fans can typically expect a large if not over-the-top performance, is at his most restrained here, giving his police chief a dignified yet folksy presence as he dutifully and methodically works to solve a murder and the related mysteries while simultaneously trying to keep the growing hysteria from boiling over and consuming the town.

Could Hysteria! Season One be scarier? Yes. Gorier? Absolutely. Funnier? Without question. But to amplify any of these elements would be to the detriment of the whole. As a series that is (was) intended to reach a broader audience, Hysteria! provides enough frights and enough blood to put the series squarely in the realm of horror without being so intense as to frighten off more casual viewers. The humor content is sufficient to release tension, prohibit an oppressively dark tone, and provide character depth and realism, without rising to the point where the viewer feels like things are being done with a wink and a nod or are devolving into camp. The fact that the series was unceremoniously cancelled is disappointing. I'd have liked to have spent more time with the good (and bad) people of Happy Hollow. Fortunately, though, while the season's end certainly leaves the door open for further adventures, the resolution provided closes the loop on the important plot points and is a more than satisfying conclusion to the eight-episode run.

Hysteria!: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Hysteria! Season One has a somewhat inconsistent visual presentation, with its inadequacies most likely stemming from the digital tinkering done to the image and its color palette. At times fine detail can be incredibly high with facial particulars being available. Bruce Campbell's face, especially in daytime exterior shots and interior close-ups provides viewers an opportunity to observe every fine line and wrinkle on a visage that is indelibly inked into the minds of genre fans the world over. Every strand of his greying hair is likewise visible. Other times, such as in the opening scene for example, the faces of the two young lovers are almost impossibly smooth, casualties of an image that has clearly been tinkered with to create a warm, romantic/nostalgic amber-hued bedroom. The same holds true for other interior shots that bear similar traits of manipulation, where fine detail is removed from the face of an increasingly frantic and disturbed Julie Bowen. Still, other times, detail can be impressive, with every fiber of the rich in Faith's bedroom being discernible, and the age and wear on the strange white masks (I won't spoil anything here) that are seen on occasion, and the scuffed and battered interior and exterior of an ominous white van. Blacks, while inky, can be of concern, with environmental and character particulars being lost to the darkness. CGI is effectively used for various demonic creature shots, and though such shots are brief, they are well done. Primaries, especially reds, pop nicely, with blood effects presenting with a rich and viscous crimson. Considering the era I would have preferred a properly filmic look, but what is here is more than adequate (just not stellar).

Hysteria!: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Hysteria! Season One's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio is a real crowd pleaser. Music fans will be excited to hear the surrounds used to great effect to support the '80s-infused soundtrack, from Belinda Carlisle's bright and syrupy pop vocals to the much more frequently featured heavy metal (and adjacent) songs of the era. During the all-important opening scene, the vigorous and ominous pounding on the bedroom door fills the sound stage, placing the viewer in the same state of alarm as the two teens. The series' theme song muscularly pumps through the sound field, enveloping the viewer in pounding drums, thumping bass, and screaming guitars. Dialog is consistently front and center, and is never less than understandable. Directionality is accurate and fluid as objects and vehicles move smoothly through the field. Bass is impressive and deep, adding menace to various sound effects and a sumptuous bottom end to the soundtrack. It's a solid track.

Hysteria!: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Sadly, Hysterial Season One is devoid of any on-disc supplemental material. An episode guide, however, is provided on the artwork's inner print.

Hysteria!: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

While most may associate the 1980s with fashion trends like huge shoulder pads and lots of unnecessary zippers, the birth of MTV, and unbridled consumerism, Hysteria! Season One reminds viewers that, as absurd as it may sound, they were also the time of the war against the evil powers of rock and roll to save the souls of our nation's youth from Satan. Propelled by a terrific soundtrack and populated with a committed cast led by Julie Bowen, Anna Camp, Emjay Anthony, and Bruce Campbell, the series has enough devilish delights to please established horror fans and newcomers alike. Hysteria! Season One may be the only eight episodes we'll ever receive, but the season is mostly self-contained and while more episodes would have been welcome, none are needed to complete this chapter in the lives of Dylan, Jordy, and Spud. Recommended.