[FANTASIA 2019] ‘SATANIC PANIC’ Review

A mousy, naive pizza delivery girl named Sam (Hayley Griffith) on her first night looks to score big with a major order to a rich part of town. When she’s stiffed on the tip, she remembers a story a co-worker told her earlier about sneaking into the house afterward and getting a whole lot in return. Foolishly, she attempts this, only to discover a coven of Satan worshipers led by Danica (Rebecca Romijn) who just so happen to be short on their required virgin for a major ceremony. When Sam’s able to escape and help free the leader’s daughter Judi (Ruby Modine), saving her from being tortured. The two must work together to survive the night. It’s a bit of Satanic Panic, if you will.
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…THEN there’s Danica’s husband Samuel (Jerry O’Connell), a husband who appears to be insanely bored with his wife’s social group. And meanwhile while on the hunt a, power struggle within the coven is taking place with Gypsy (Arden Myrin) vying to prove herself the better leader. Plus there’s a soul casserole. And a killer cloth. There’s a lot going on here.

This movie is so much fun! The script is quick, and the subject matter is inherently silly and well aware of it. With a story from Ted Geohegan and a script from Grady Hendrix, who previously worked together on 2018’s brutal Mohawk, things are wild and characters are well developed. But those characters have to be delivered by a great cast, and that’s what truly sells this one. Griffith is absolutely perfect as the doe-eyed cutie eyed by the coven, and on the other end is Modine (Happy Death Day) as the rebellious daughter, badass and ready to fight back. O’Connell’s character is great, as is Myrin’s conniving, sniveling I-can-do-better.

Obviously, I liked this movie a bunch. Chelsea Stardust (aka Chelsea Peters) came up in the industry working as an assistant to Judd Apatow and Jason Blum, and both of those sensibilities are evident. She’s also directed Hulu’s Into the Dark entry All That We Destroy this year, which is definitely on my watch list now. I see a good amount of promise in her future, though I wish this had hit a little harder with the horror elements. It’s still a great time, and you should look forward to it!

Good news! In addition to playing at Fantasia 2019, Satanic Panic is due for release just around the corner from RLJE Entertainment! Look forward to catching the film on VOD September 6th, 2019!