Satanic Panic

I was able to screen this movie and for it being a low budget movie, it was pretty well made. I thought the story line at the beginning sequence was intense and I thought the whole movie was going to be that documentary style, but it turned out that it started off that way but then it went into another story which I thought was a cool idea. Almost like you have two parts within one movie. I felt that the characters were interesting enough to keep me watching and you really felt some compassion for the Karen character. I wanted to see how this group of friends made it through their trip and the director did a good job of keeping you wanting to see more. The props that were used were pretty cool and overall, I thought that the movie was done well. If you're into independent movies, this one is pretty good.

The only "true events" of the real-life Satanic Panic of the 1980's are that a bunch of charlatans made a lot of money selling fear, and a bunch of innocent people (mostly day care workers) went to prison for crimes they didn't commit. It was all rumor, innuendo, and outright lies, just like the witch panic in Salem. To make a movie suggesting there was any truth to such nonsense, especially when there are still innocent people fighting to have their wrongful convictions overturned, is reprehensible.

As for the movie itself, it's extremely poorly made and not worth watching.

Inspired by True Events, Satanic Panic is not just a cool title for the film but based off a phenomena that mostly got its push from the 1980's. If you remember the times, which I do quite frankly..... these were days when we would see a lot Satanic controversy on talk shows, in the news, in papers and even the focus of entire articles dedicated in top name magazines. This is a docu-style low budget horror film, and that is what makes this film really eerie, it does feel like you are watching some home movie lost snuff footage in some of the beginning scenes, which makes it all work and come together nicely. Most low budget films at this level I usually shut off in the first five minutes. NOT SATANIC PANIC. I was glued to the screen for the entire 85 minute running time.

This film directed by Marc Selz who is not a new comer to low budget horror films. is unique in that it combines film styles. horror is approached by factual references and in turn turned into on screen fiction. The issue actually becomes a leverage for the horror movie itself and a chance to heat up the footage with some FX work, acting talent and suggested situations. I think this is top notch horror showcased with factual realities. The horror lasts long after the film is complete. The idea that fiction based on reality can be a scary thing is never more evident. Satanic also pays homage to classic horror films from the past. If you like low budget horror, SATANIC PANIC is a film not to miss!

I have seen some bad films in my time, but this is about as bad as bad gets. The atrociousness begins with the "re-enactments" of various witness accounts of satanic activities that occurred during the 80's. I knew I was in for one hell of a bad ride judging from the "acting" of those doing the reenacting. But, being the glutton for punishment that I am, I persisted in watching this "horror" unfold. And unfold it did, all over my computer screen, my keyboard, and spilling over onto my pants and shoes, which I ended up throwing out since I couldn't remove the stench. Yeah thats how bad this "flick" is. Pinkish watery blood...need I say more. Or how about a horribly made-up redneck vagabond with clean overalls. I mean, come on!! Don't people get paid to think this crap through before filming? I can't get back that 90 or so minutes but I CAN spare someone else. Do yourself a favor and just say "no thanks, I'll skip this one". I wish I had.

This is one of the worst attempts at horror I've ever seen, and there are LOADS of bad horror movies out there. Abysmal acting from EVERYONE, just about every character is a complete moron, directed terribly, extremely amateurish filming and the worst music score this side of porn to boot. The writing is atrocious too. If you don't know who the bad guys are you've probably never seen a movie at all. One of the writers is the guy who plays the staple idiot inbred hick. Something that tells me he actually didn't ACT much for his role considering his writing skills. And to top it all of - the ending is the dumbest I've ever seen I think. If I had paid to see this film I would have demanded my money back or even considered suing them - it's THAT bad. Thank *beep* for torrents. :) Avoid at all cost!