A devilish blend of gore infested horror and pitch-black comedy, Satanic Panic takes the premise of “wrong place, wrong time” and brands it with a flaming hot pentagram that sure knows how to make its mark.
There has always been a fascination with what happens behind the closed doors of the rich and famous. Exactly what kind of deals with which kind of devils are made to separate the fortunate few from the struggling rest? In the case of Chelsea Stardust’s feature film Satanic Panic, it’s good ol’ Devil worship that is the key to wealth and fame. During these days where worshippers of the “Horned One” pose as social justice trolls, its frankly refreshing to see some blood, guts and sex thrust back into the horror of Satanism. Of course, it’s all done in good fun, and that is what Satanic Panic delivers.
The films stars relative newcomer Hayley Griffith as Sam, a pizza delivery girl whose first night out on the job is a series of rotten customers who won’t tip. Her final stop is in the lavish surroundings of a high-class neighbourhood, where at the biggest house Sam walks into a Black Mass led by high priestess Danica (Rebecca Romijn). Dressed in red robes and ready to conjure a demon, they are in dire need of a virgin to sacrifice, and Sam is it.
It’s a scenario that sets the stage for a night on the run horror comedy that has quite the sadistic streak. Stardust and screenwriter Gary Hendrix (Mohawk) do not skimp on the gore and bloodshed, embracing the glory of a gross out scene, yet done so with a love of genre as opposed to any torture porn nastiness. Those who already have a taste for horror served bloody and raw will take to Satanic Panic with much ease, especially in its use of practical effects that bring a much more tangible quality to the proceedings.
As the film’s protagonist and prey, Hayley Griffith delivers a funny and physically commanding performance, where slapstick comedy goes hand in hand with “last girl” horror dramatics to make for a wholly sympathetic and entertaining turn. Akin to a baby lamb who stumbles into a wolf’s den, Sam constantly tries to stay one step ahead of a virgin-hungry cult, only to find all matter of monster, demon, and murderous Satanist hiding behind every corner. Rebecca Romijn makes a welcome return to the big screen with a turn that is sinister, cold, yet oh so funny, hitting those pitch-black comedic lines with snarky precision.
With Stardust in the director’s chair and both Griffith and Romijn as the films leads, Satanic Panic marks something of a female empowerment horror movie. The horror genre has long been progressive in such representation, and Satanic Panic proves why. Funny, gory, and with a rather good soundtrack by electronic rock outfit Wolfmen of Mars, Satanic Panic is a horror treat.
