Common Sense Media Review
By Jenny Nixon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Language, violence in nostalgic 1980s-set horror series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Hysteria!
What's the Story?
HYSTERIA! follows Dylan (Emjay Anthony, Krampus), whose band Dethkrunch is getting as much attention at school as he is—namely, none. When the high school quarterback goes missing and a spray-painted pentagram pops up on the family's garage door, Dylan convinces his bandmates Spud (Kezii Curtis, Charm City Kings) and Jordy (Chiara Aurelia, Cruel Summer) that this is the perfect time to capitalize on controversy and rebrand themselves as devil worshippers. When their classmate later turns up not only murdered but mutilated in a way that suggests cult activity, the resulting chaos makes just about everyone in town start pointing fingers and raising their pitchforks.
Is It Any Good?
The show starts off like a campy teen horror story, then the focus turns to a zillion other characters and subplots—not all of which are successful or consistent in tone. Hysteria! has some fun ideas here and there, and a murderer's row of great, recognizable actors (it's fun to see B-movie icon Bruce Campbell playing it totally straight), but it can't quite pinpoint what it wants to be, which leaves the viewer puzzled as well—then ultimately disinterested. This could have been tightened up and streamlined into fewer episodes, or maybe it needed a longer runtime to explore all the storylines to a more satisfying conclusion. Still, it has that Stranger Things-flavored nostalgia factor going for it, and it's weirdly impressive to see the creators boldly throw everything at the wall to see what sticks.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way Dylan changes everything about himself to become successful and get his dream girl. What lesson does he learn from the way things turn out?
Talk about conspiracy theories. Why do people believe them? How can they become dangerous?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 18, 2024
- Cast : Julie Bowen , Bruce Campbell , Anna Camp
- Network : Peacock
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : May 8, 2025
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