Mass Hysteria
**Seen at the 2020 Women in Horror Film Festival**
It’s kind of surprising that no one has thought to do this concept before. It feels like something that is inspired and would be a slam-dunk idea for a fun, silly horror comedy. And, in the hands directors Arielle Cimino
and Jeff Ryan, and writers Jonathan T. Coleman and Christopher O’Connell, “Mass Hysteria” shows that it can be done, and on a budget that doesn’t hinder creativity.
We begin as a theatre company in Salem, Massachusetts, is preparing for their annual Halloween re-enactment of the Salem Witch Trials. The lead actress, Paige (Geena Santiago), is looking at her final performance of this before going to New York and better things on Broadway. It’s a very Community Theatre-type production, and, truth be told, Paige isn’t very good, but there’s also a sense that she is going through the motions, as well. The streets are empty this night, except for tourists who want to see some spooky stuff. They’re going to get more than they bargained for, however, with this performance, as a simple coincidence in the place in the performance vs. one of the tourists dying in a horrible fashion that makes it seem like Paige is an actual witch. Soon, the tourists are riled into a mob, and Paige may not be able to live to leave town.
This film all rests in the execution of the tone, and the filmmakers find a great balance between the comedy, which is very silly, and the horror, which is more suspense and chasing, but can get bloody and kind of nuts. “Mass Hysteria” is simply a good time watching these people have fun with an idea, and get in a few ideas in on mob mentality and how it can make rational, or stupid, people do ridiculous things. Good times are had by all.
Mass Hysteria Official Trailer from First-Names Films on Vimeo.
