“The greatest trick the Devil played was convincing the world that he didn’t exist.” Those are the words of Bruce Campbell in the new trailer for the highly-anticipated horror series dropping on Peacock next month, Hysteria!. Also starring Julie Bowen (Modern Family) and Anna Camp (Pitch Perfect), the show takes place during the height of the Satanic Panic in the 1980s, and revolves around a struggling high school heavy metal band of outcasts who realize they can capitalize on their town’s sudden interest in the occult by building a reputation as a Satanic metal band, until a bizarre series of murders, kidnappings, and reported “supernatural activity” triggers a leather-studded witch hunt that leads directly back to them.
The new trailer showcases what fans can expect from Hysteria!, which includes loads of high school shenanigans, satanic imagery, a devilishly good murder mystery, and enough heavy metal to make you want to form your own hairband. As with any project that Bruce Campbell’s involved in, you can also expect a fair bit of comedy to go along with the scares. Check out the full trailer for Hysteria! below.
Hysteria! Will Explore More Than Just the Satanic Panic
If you liked the trailer, you won’t have to wait too much longer to see Hysteria! in all its gory glory, as all eight episodes will hit Peacock on October 18. In addition to being made available on the streaming service, Hysteria! will also be broadcast on the USA Network, with episodes airing weekly on Fridays until it’s completed.
Created by Matthew Scott Kane, who also serves as showrunner alongside David A. Goodman, Hysteria! is about more than just having fun, as the series looks to explore not only what it means to be young, but to face the fears of growing older.
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Hysteria!
is about both sides of that generational fear. It’s about the thrills of being young, rebellious in spirit and aspirational at heart – and the horrors of growing up and realizing that the world you thought you knew has shifted beneath your feet.”
In terms of the time period it’s set in, Hysteria! will also look to shine a light on the hypocrisy of a generation that grew up under the cover of sex and drugs in the 1960s, who now rail against those very same things, and more.
“Children of the Atomic Age went on to terrifying their families by turning on, tuning in and dropping out in the sixties. Those same “free spirits” went on to vote for Reagan and called for censorship of the “obscene” and “satanic” heavy metal bands their own kids worshiped. Now, those kids are adults who rail against pronouns, TikTok, and a movie about Barbie. The cycle doesn’t end. And it’s hard to escape the feeling that someone, or something, is sitting by watching it all, and laughing.”
With those rich themes permeating throughout Hysteria!, we can say with confidence after viewing the fantastic new trailer that this is one series we’re looking forward to seeing how Kane and Goodman bring to life.