SATANIC PANIC (2019)

Directed By: Chelsea Stardust 
Written By: Grady Hendrix 
Story By: Grady Hendrix & Ted Geoghegan 
Cinematography: Mark Evans 

Cast: Hayley Griffith, Ruby Modine, Rebecca Romijn, Arden Myrin, Jerry O’Connell, AJ Bowen, Jordan Ladd, Jeff Daniel Phillips, Hannah Stocking, Whitney Moore, Michael Polish 

A pizza delivery girl at the end of her financial rope has to fight for her life - and her tips - when her last order of the night turns out to be high society Satanists in need of a virgin sacrifice.


The film stays fun and unstable. Though as a horror film. the set-up feels more comedic.

You never really feel anything watching the film. As it is so wacky and unbelievable it constantly feels like a comedy or movie where everyone is in on the joke. So you never really worry or feel for the characters. You just go along for the ride.

The film obviously has fun with it’s premise. Which also explains why the Performances were over the top or strange. There are no scares but plenty of violence.

The film has a 1980’s feel which is where it gets it’s premise from. Where Parents and suburbanites were convinced their kids and others were worshipping satan in cults and looking to make sacrifices especially around halloween. Where it seemed everyone was paranoid and obsessed with believing that there were phantom satanic worshippers looking to kill, sacrifice, maim and poison innocents and damn souls to hell by making you follow them. So who better to write the script then nostalgic horror novelist Grady Hendrix (MY BEST FRIEND’S EXORCISM)

The film pokes fun by having the satanic panic be true but show that’s how the rich stay that way. A conspiracy that fits in with modern times. And offers an excellent satirical edge to the film.

The film seems to make up it’s own rules as it goes along. While looking to top itself at each narrative turn. So even though it is thoroughly off the wall you might wish there was more foundation

Ruby Modine steals the show in her badass more supporting role. She’s not the lead but the more feisty insider. She starts off as the bitchy cynic and soon slowly reveals a character who does have a decent side. She comes across as the ultimate final girl but alas this isn’t her film. She is more in a supporting role. 

Hayley Griffith playing the lead comes off as more unsure and goofy in her role.

The film explores classism of sorts between the rich and poor. As it seems to show how the rich stay successful through witchcraft and worshipping the devil. The poor are more decent or weren’t born into it. So that the film might go well with the movie SOCIETY. Even if the special effects never come close to that films. Nor is it as hard hitting but they share a dark sense of humor.


Grade: C+