Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Flat horror-comedy has tons of mature content.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Satanic Panic
What's the Story?
In SATANIC PANIC, Sam Craft (Hayley Griffith) is working her first day as a pizza delivery person, and it's not going well. Customers refuse to tip her, and she can't even afford gas. After delivering five pies to a huge mansion, Sam's bike won't start, so she marches back in to demand her tip. She stumbles upon a pack of Satan worshippers, led by Danica (Rebecca Romijn), preparing for some dark ritual. But they need a virgin to complete it, and it turns out that Sam fits the bill. She escapes and runs into Danica's daughter, Judi (Ruby Modine), who knows a little something about what's going on and helps Sam hide. But the Satanists find them, and the ritual to summon a demon begins. No one is prepared when an even more powerful demon intervenes.
Is It Any Good?
This horror-comedy might have had the potential to provide shocking delights and ghoulish laughs, but it ends up unappealing and flat, with overly broad attempts at humor and not much horror. That said, Satanic Panic -- written by Grady Hendrix and directed by Chelsea Stardust -- is definitely enthusiastic. But the tones just don't match up or make sense. The movie is brightly colored yet oddly unattractive. In the lead role, Griffith is likable enough but also a little flat; her reactions to the wild things happening around her never inspire tingles -- or laughter.
Romijn tries out an interestingly detached approach to her Satanist character that also doesn't quite click. And her red-robed cohorts feel like something out of a slapsticky sitcom. Slightly better is Modine (from the Happy Death Day movies, which got the humorous/horror tone just right), affecting a snappy patter for her character that at least keeps things moving. But it's Jerry O'Connell who gets the biggest laughs in a brief, doomed role as Danica's not-too-bright layabout husband (he's also Romijn's real-life husband). His "I don't care" attitude is the only thing that breaks through Satanic Panic's overall blandness.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Satanic Panic's violence. Does the fact that it's supposed to be funny make any of it seem less intense or gory? Why or why not?
The movie has lots of sex-related talk. How is sex viewed in the movie? What values are imparted?
How are drinking and drugs portrayed? Are they glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
Is the movie scary? What's the appeal of horror movies? How can a horror movie be both funny and scary?
Are rich people all evil, as the movie suggests? Does money corrupt? Is it possible to be rich and still be a good person?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 6, 2019
- On DVD or streaming : October 22, 2019
- Cast : Hayley Griffith , Rebecca Romijn , Ruby Modine
- Director : Chelsea Stardust
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : RLJE Films
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy
- Run time : 89 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate