17th-century witch trials are the subject of many books, films, and documentaries. Mass Hysteria is a low-budget film that premiered at the Independent Film Festival Boston to a sold-out audience in 2019. Mass Hysteria is a movie for those who love nothing more than a combination of humor and horror. It begins with a group of actors recreating the Witches of Salem in a play and around the town. The film itself was produced in Massachusetts, Salem for over 25 nights. Mass Hysteria certainly pays tribute to the sentiment of the 1692 trials and brings the dark and sinister era into a modern tale.
How Were the Witches of Salem Executed?
Back in the day, during certain historical periods, capital punishment was indeed prevalent. In cases where individuals held grudges against one another, conflicts could escalate to the point where accusations led to severe consequences, such as being hanged or burned at the stake. It is a somber reminder of the harsh realities our society has evolved from. Thankfully, as civilization has progressed, we have recognized the importance of due process and the value of human life. Today, we strive for fair and just judicial systems that prioritize rehabilitation and the preservation of human rights.
In an ironic take on the formidable force of paranoia mixed with chaos and confusion, the story unleashes the idea of mass hysteria onto a group of tourists. The same tourists who came along for a glimpse of the supernatural got more than they bargained for. Salem is a popular sightseeing destination, and just like the real city, onlookers are treated to performances everywhere they go.
Most poke fun, laugh, and generally don’t take any of the town’s history seriously. Of course, true to the echo of past events, one small coincidence leads to the untimely death of a voyeur in the audience. During an intense scene, Tina points to a man as she recites her lines, cursing him. He dies. It’s here the missive of the well-established rules of a witch hunt begins.
Where Were the Witches of Salem Killed?
As a reward for history buffs, famous recognizable landmarks are featured throughout the story. Old Town Hall, Derby Square, Pioneer Village, The Witch Memorial, and, Essex Street were all used as backdrops for this tight 66-minute lesson. Those with a keen eye for superstitions will get a kick out of the myriad of easter eggs throwing caution to the tempting winds of fate.
Also, there is an endless supply of dry and dark gags. Mass Hysteria aims the laughs at both high-brow and extremely low-brow tastes. Performances from such a large cast are remarkably great. Central characters are not treated as superficial props and instead, have finely tuned layers to unravel. Cinematography is a well-balanced combination that does more than enough to highlight the quality of the production. It’s especially notable to mention the movie was made entirely at night. No mean feat for any filmmaker, I’m sure.
Summing up, Mass Hysteria is a great way to pass the time. Especially if all of the ingredients sound good to you. For me, there weren’t too many laugh-out-loud moments. What I liked was that it felt like a slasher film mixed with a virus outbreak mixed with a witch hunt.
I give Mass Hysteria
3 big old witchy witches out of 5
Official Movie Page on Facebook
- Directed by Arielle Cimino and Jeff Ryan.
- Written by Christopher O’Connell and Jonathan Coleman.
- Starring: Geena Santiago, Jeff Ryan, Matt Perusse, Destry Allyn, Scott Swayze, Charlie Pollock, Michelle Veintimilla, and Louis Cancelmi.
Mass Hysteria Where To Watch:
- MORE WITCH MOVIES: Documenting the Witch Path / PyeWacket / The Reckoning
- COSMIC HORROR: Did you get around to seeing Mandy?
