Peacock’s Hysteria!: Satanic Panic Grips Happy Hollow

In Peacock’s Hysteria!, the peaceful town of Happy Hollow descends into chaos when a high school student’s death sparks a modern-day Satanic Panic. The series delves into mass hysteria, religious extremism, and the destructive power of fear. Driven by a need to protect her daughter, Tracy Whitehead orchestrates a public exorcism of Linda Campbell, attempting to blame Linda’s son, Dylan.

Tracy’s scheme backfires when her lies unravel, leading to pandemonium in the church. The resulting struggle ignites a fire, forcing the congregation to evacuate. Amidst the chaos, Dylan breaks through his mother’s delusion, revealing the complexities of their relationship.

Tracy’s actions culminate in her arrest, further inflaming the town’s outrage. Meanwhile, Chief Dandridge solves the mystery surrounding Ryan Hudson’s death, resulting in the arrest of The Reverend, the enigmatic leader of the masked figures terrorizing Happy Hollow.

The Reverend’s unsettling dove-inspired masks add a layer of psychological horror to the series. Symbolizing a twisted redemption, the masks contribute to the pervasive paranoia and fear gripping Happy Hollow. The show explores the consequences of the characters’ actions, with Judith being sent away and Dylan, Jordy, and Spud grappling with the aftermath.

Though vindicated, the teenagers remain scarred by the accusations and tragic events. Yet, amidst the darkness, a glimmer of hope appears as their band, Dethkrunch, gains notoriety from the controversy.

In a final twist, as normalcy seemingly returns to Happy Hollow, a demonic presence lingers, suggesting true evil may still lurk. The series concludes with a chilling reminder of darkness’s enduring power and the fragility of peace.

The entire first season of Hysteria! is streaming on Peacock. The show also airs weekly on USA Network.

Hysteria! boasts a talented team, including director Jordan Vogt-Roberts (Kong: Skull Island). The series features a compelling cast, bringing Happy Hollow’s tumultuous events to life. Peacock offers various subscription plans, including ad-supported and ad-free tiers, plus a student discount on the Premium plan.