At some point, every child tries to go against their parent’s wishes to do something that their parents wouldn’t approve of. Unfortunately for Emjay Anthony, he gets caught while trying to pull off such a stunt during a time when the fear of Satanic influence was at its peak.
This fear, often referred to as the “Satanic panic,” swept through the 1980s, creating a sense of fear and suspicion about anything that seemed even remotely connected to the occult or “dark arts.” Anthony’s character is about to face some serious consequences for his actions, and this storyline plays a major part in Peacock’s new series, Hysteria!.
Collider has shared an exclusive look at one of the scenes from Hysteria!, where Anthony’s character Dylan tries—and fails—to sneak out with his friends. In this sneak peek, Dylan is stopped in his tracks by his mother, played by Julie Bowen.
She catches him in the middle of a lie, all while the town is in the middle of a moral panic over supposed supernatural activity. The scene shows her laying down the law in a strict and intense manner, making it clear that there will be no dishonesty in her household, and certainly no “devil worship.”
In the scene, we see Dylan finishing up a phone call with his friends, planning to hang out with them. But as soon as he turns around, he realizes that his mother Linda, played by Bowen, has overheard the entire conversation.
Dylan quickly tries to cover his tracks, explaining that he and his friends were only planning to go see the cult comedy UHF by “Weird” Al Yankovic at the local drive-in theater. But as his mom starts asking more questions, Dylan’s story starts to fall apart. It becomes clear that he’s not being completely honest.
Still from the season (Peacock)
Linda, catching onto his lies, points out that he has his guitar out and ready, and shows him a flyer for a concert by the metal band “Dethkrunch.” This band, which has embraced the town’s obsession with Satanic themes and the occult, is a new favorite among some of the town’s youth—and Dylan seems to be involved in it.
The band’s imagery and style have stirred up the fears of the adults in the town, who see it as a threat to their children’s morals and safety. Linda is furious, and Dylan’s lies, combined with his plans to attend the concert, land him in deep trouble. His punishment? He’s grounded for the weekend, stuck in his room, with his mom determined to make sure that no “dark arts” will come into her house or influence her family.
The show, Hysteria!, focuses on the high school metal band “Dethkrunch,” the very band that Dylan is caught planning to see. The band starts out as just a struggling group of friends trying to make it big in their small town. But as the town becomes more and more obsessed with the idea of Satanic influence, the band decides to change their image to match what the town fears.
They rebrand themselves as a Satanic metal band, taking advantage of the town’s fear to boost their popularity. This shift in their identity leads them down a strange and dangerous path. The town, known as Happy Hollow, has been thrown into chaos after the sudden disappearance of the high school’s star quarterback. This event sends the local community into a frenzy, as everyone starts searching for answers.
People begin to suspect that something more sinister is at play. Rumors about Satanic rituals and dark forces start to spread, and the town quickly becomes gripped by fear. It’s in this atmosphere that the metal band “Dethkrunch” starts to gain more attention—though not always in a positive way.
As more strange and violent events happen in Happy Hollow, including kidnappings and murders, the community starts to turn its suspicions toward the band. Their decision to embrace Satanic themes and the occult makes them easy targets for the town’s hysteria.
The town’s adults, already on edge because of the Satanic panic, are quick to point fingers at the band, blaming them for the strange happenings. A “witch hunt” begins, with the local citizens going after the band members, believing that they are responsible for the evil forces that seem to be at work in their town.
The show, Hysteria!, brings together an impressive creative team. At the helm of the series is Matthew Scott Kane, known for his work on the sci-fi series Stitchers, and David A. Goodman, the showrunner of The Orville and a producer on Family Guy. These two bring their talents to this unique series, blending elements of horror, thriller, and comedy to tell the story of the town’s descent into hysteria.
The cast of Hysteria! is also star-studded, featuring a mix of well-known names and up-and-coming actors. Julie Bowen, who is best known for her role in Happy Gilmore, takes on the role of Linda, Dylan’s strict and protective mother.
Bowen’s portrayal of Linda shows the intense pressure that parents felt during the Satanic panic, as they struggled to protect their children from what they believed were dangerous influences. Emjay Anthony, who starred in Krampus, plays Dylan, the rebellious teenager who finds himself caught up in the town’s chaos.
Alongside Bowen and Anthony, the series also features a strong supporting cast. Anna Camp, Chiara Aurelia, Kezii Curtis, and Nikki Hahn round out the group of series regulars. Each of these characters brings something unique to the story, whether they’re part of the metal band or caught up in the town’s panic in other ways.
Still from the season (Peacock)
The guest stars for Hysteria! are equally impressive. Leading the group of guest actors is Bruce Campbell, the iconic star of the Evil Dead series. Known for his role as the chainsaw-wielding Ash Williams, Campbell’s presence in Hysteria! adds a fun, horror-themed touch to the series.
Other guest stars include Garret Dillahunt, Nolan North, Elijah Richardson, Milly Shapiro, Allison Scagliotti, and Jessica Treska. With such a talented group of actors and actresses, Hysteria! promises to deliver a thrilling and entertaining viewing experience.
Behind the scenes, the show is produced by Good Fear Content’s Chris Bender and Jake Weiner, alongside Matthew Scott Kane and David A. Goodman. The team also includes John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, who recently directed Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. With such a strong team of producers, writers, and directors working on the show, Hysteria! has all the ingredients for success.
At its core, Hysteria! explores the way fear and panic can spread through a community, especially when people are unsure of what’s really happening. The Satanic panic of the 1980s serves as the perfect backdrop for this story, as it shows how quickly people can turn against each other when they feel threatened. The show also looks at the role that music and pop culture played in the hysteria, particularly how heavy metal music became a scapegoat for the fears of the time.
While Hysteria! is set in the past, its themes are still relevant today. Fear and misinformation continue to affect society, and the show’s portrayal of how these elements can tear a community apart is both timely and thought-provoking. By blending real historical events with fictional elements, Hysteria! creates a story that is both entertaining and reflective of larger societal issues.
With its mix of horror, humor, and drama, Hysteria! is shaping up to be an exciting new addition to Peacock’s lineup. Fans of shows like Stranger Things and American Horror Story will likely enjoy the show’s dark, yet often comedic, tone. And for those who lived through the Satanic panic of the 1980s, the show will provide a nostalgic look back at a time when fear of the unknown ruled the day.
Hysteria! not only revisits the paranoia and fear that defined the Satanic panic of the 1980s but also delivers a thought-provoking narrative about how communities react when confronted with the unknown. By focusing on a small-town metal band that adopts a Satanic image to rise to fame, the show cleverly taps into the fears and misunderstandings that surrounded heavy metal music at the time.
It presents a vivid portrayal of how easily people can be swept up in hysteria, driven by rumors and fear-mongering, often without seeking the truth. The band, once harmless and struggling, becomes a symbol of everything the town fears, even as they only play into those fears to boost their image.
At the heart of the series is a complex commentary on the dangers of mass hysteria. The show highlights how quickly a community can turn on its own members when fear and suspicion take hold. Through Dylan’s struggles with his strict mother and the rising panic in Happy Hollow, Hysteria! effectively captures the tension between rebellion and conformity, freedom of expression, and societal pressure to conform to moral expectations.
The way the series blends these elements with horror and dark comedy makes it an engaging and timely exploration of themes that resonate beyond its 1980s setting. The series also examines the power of misinformation, showing how false assumptions can lead to real consequences. In today’s world, where misinformation spreads faster than ever, the lessons of Hysteria! feel especially relevant.
By revisiting the past, the show offers a mirror to the present, reminding viewers of the importance of questioning what we’re told and being cautious about how quickly we judge others. In doing so, Hysteria! proves itself not only as a thrilling story but also as a reflection on the lasting impact of fear-driven narratives.
WandaVision and Agatha All Along show the nature of magic in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). They shine a light on various mystical artifacts that hold great power, with one artifact standing out: the Darkhold. This ancient tome is one of the most powerful magical artifacts in the Marvel universe.
But what exactly is the Darkhold? More importantly, how does it connect to the narratives of WandaVision and Agatha All Along? To find the answers, we must trace the Darkhold’s history, from its first appearance in comic books to its role in the MCU.
The Darkhold’s Comic Book Origins
The Darkhold made its first appearance in Marvel Spotlight #4, created by writer Gerry Conway and artist Mike Ploog. In this issue, Jack Russell, also known as Werewolf by Night, discovers the Darkhold on an island filled with monsters.
Initially, the book seems to be just a collection of strange writings. However, its true nature becomes clearer in Avengers #187, where writers Roger Stern and David Michelinie and artists Steven Grant and John Byrne reveal that the Darkhold is the work of the evil Elder God Chthon.
Chthon inscribed numerous spells and incantations into the Darkhold’s pages. These spells open a path between his dimension and ours, making the book a dangerous artifact. Throughout the years, the Darkhold has passed through many hands.
Its corruptive nature has led to madness and misfortune for those who possess it, much like the One Ring from The Lord of the Rings. Whoever comes into contact with the Darkhold risks losing their sanity and well-being.
Many characters in the Marvel Universe have encountered the Darkhold, each having their own unique experiences. For example, Blade and Doctor Strange attempted to use a spell from its pages, known as the Montresi Formula, to eradicate all vampires on Earth.
Meanwhile, Jack Russell’s grandfather, Gregor, read from the book in a failed attempt to cure his lycanthropy. Even villains have sought the Darkhold’s power. A cult once tried to use the powerful Carnage as a sacrifice to summon Chthon, but instead, Chthon chose to empower the symbiotic killer.
The Scarlet Witch and Agatha Harkness
Among the many characters linked to the Darkhold, none has a longer or more complex relationship with it than Wanda Maximoff, also known as the Scarlet Witch. The Darkhold played a crucial role in Wanda’s life from a young age.
Still from Agatha All Along (Credit: Disney+)
A group of three witches, including LilIa Calderu, came together to protect her from a sorcerer wielding the Darkhold. Their intervention highlights the significance of the book and its threat to powerful individuals like Wanda.
In the Darkhold: Tales from the Book of Sins miniseries, Agatha Harkness and Wanda’s connections to the Darkhold deepen further.
In this storyline, Agatha reads a prophecy from the Darkhold that refers to Wanda: “A child born of no man and of a woman marked by sin; daughter becomes mother; then will the dark return begin.”
This prophecy becomes a reality when Wanda and Vision have twin sons, who are later revealed to be born from the existence of the demon Mephisto. Their reincarnations manifest as Billy Kaplan, also known as Wiccan, and Tommy Shepard, known as Speed.
The Darkhold’s Role in WandaVision
The Darkhold finally appears in WandaVision, specifically in “The Series Finale.” In this episode, Agatha Harkness, played by Kathryn Hahn, explains the Darkhold’s history to Wanda, portrayed by Elizabeth Olsen. Agatha reveals a prophecy in the Darkhold that foreshadows the return of the Scarlet Witch:
“The Scarlet Witch is not born; she is forged. She has no coven or need for incantation. Your power exceeds that of the Sorcerer Supreme. It’s your destiny to destroy the world.”
This chilling prophecy hints at the immense power within Wanda and the potential for destruction that comes with it. The Darkhold’s influence on Wanda becomes evident, and the prophecy dangerously edges toward fulfillment. In the post-credits scene of “The Series Finale,” Wanda is seen flipping through the Darkhold’s pages when she hears her children’s voices.
The story continues in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, where Wanda’s corruption by the Darkhold is further shown. Her desire to reclaim her sons drives her to extreme actions, including a perilous journey to Mount Wundagore, the site where Chthon inscribed the Darkhold. In her quest, Wanda hijacks an alternate version of herself and slaughters anyone who stands in her way.
The Darkhold’s Influence on the Multiverse
In Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Wanda’s willingness to do anything to get her children back showcases the Darkhold’s corrupting influence. She sacrifices herself—at least it appears so—by collapsing Mount Wundagore.
This act frees Agatha, who Wanda had trapped in a spell at the end of WandaVision. However, Agatha is left without her powers and is forced to journey along the Witches’ Road.
The Darkhold’s presence in the MCU extends beyond just WandaVision and Doctor Strange. It serves as a link connecting various storylines and characters. Agatha’s journey to gain the power of the Darkhold comes at a terrible cost, including the sacrifice of her son, Nicholas Scratch.
The Darkhold in Other Marvel TV Projects
The Darkhold does not only appear in WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. It has made its presence felt in other Marvel television projects as well, such as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Runaways.
In Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the Darkhold is introduced during a storyline involving the artificial intelligence Aida, portrayed by Mallory Jensen. Aida uses the Darkhold to trap Phil Coulson, played by Clark Gregg, and his team in a virtual reality.
This use of the Darkhold demonstrates its power and the lengths characters will go to harness its capabilities. Aida also uses the book to give herself a human body so she can feel emotions. However, after Leo Fitz, played by Iain De Caestecker, rejects her, she descends into madness.
The situation escalates, leading Robbie Reyes, played by Gabriel Luna, to transfer his Ghost Rider powers to Coulson to stop Aida. Reyes takes the Darkhold into the Dark Dimension, highlighting the dangers associated with the book.
In Runaways, the Darkhold plays a significant role when Morgan le Fay, portrayed by Elizabeth Hurley, gains control of it. The book enhances her magical abilities, allowing her to attempt dragging Earth into the Dark Dimension. Fortunately, the Runaways, with the help of Cloak and Dagger, successfully stop her before she can achieve her goal.
The Darkhold’s Impact on the MCU
Marvel Television head Brad Winderbaum has remained optimistic about whether the events of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and other Marvel television projects are considered canon.
However, the influence of the Darkhold on Marvel’s television and film projects is undeniable. Its presence in various narratives highlights the interconnectedness of the MCU and the importance of magical elements within these stories.
As fans continue to show the MCU through streaming platforms, the impact of the Darkhold and its associated characters grows. The Darkhold serves as a focal point, connecting various storylines and characters across different mediums, emphasizing the vastness of the Marvel universe.
The Darkhold’s Role in Future Marvel Stories
The Darkhold’s story is far from over. As the MCU continues to expand, its influence may shape future narratives and character arcs. The concept of magic in the Marvel universe opens doors for new stories and possibilities. The Darkhold’s corruptive power may resurface, affecting not just Wanda but other characters within the MCU as well.
Still from Agatha All Along (Credit: Disney+)
Characters like Doctor Strange, Blade, and even new heroes introduced in future projects could face the Darkhold’s allure and danger. As the MCU goes deeper into the mystical and supernatural, the Darkhold may serve as a central plot point that intertwines different characters and story arcs.
Conclusion
The Darkhold’s rich history and intricate connections to various characters in the Marvel universe make it a fascinating subject to research. From its origins in comic books to its significant role in the MCU, the Darkhold remains a powerful artifact that influences the fate of many characters, particularly Wanda Maximoff and Agatha Harkness.
As we move forward in the MCU, the Darkhold’s legacy will likely continue to grow, affecting the lives of both heroes and villains.
The scheme of magic and its consequences will keep fans engaged, as they eagerly anticipate how the Darkhold will shape future stories. With its deep-rooted history and ongoing influence, the Darkhold stands as one of the most intriguing elements in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
