Written by: Jase Marsiglia
Ah, the Satanic Panic. In the long, sad history of American propaganda, few moral crusades ruined more lives than the hysteria of the 1980s. From the infamous McMartin Preschool trial to the horrifying and thoroughly debunked “true” story that inspired 1980’s "Michelle Remembers", a supposed memoir of ritual abuse recovered through therapy by discredited psychiatrist Lawrence Pazder, the devil was said to be hiding everywhere. By the mid to late 80s, “Old Scratch” was supposedly lurking in the lyrics and artwork of heavy metal albums.
It is against this backdrop that "Burying the Ex" writer Alan Trezza and "My Friend Dahmer" director Marc Meyers set "We Summon the Darkness", a dark, violent occult thriller with a sharp wit and plenty of blood to back it up.
We Summon the Darkness (2019)
⭐⭐⭐1/2
It is 1988 in the Midwest, and a string of horrific ritual murders attributed to Satanists has left 18 people dead. The violence appears to be heading toward Indiana like an incoming storm. The story dominates the radio and the news and even becomes fodder for fiery sermons delivered by televangelist Reverend John Henry Butler, played surprisingly well by Johnny Knoxville in a strong dramatic turn.
Three leather-clad metalheads, Alex played by Alexandra Daddario, Val played by Maddie Hasson, and Beverly played by Amy Forsyth, meet an aspiring metal band at a concert. The guys, Mark played by Keean Johnson, Ivan played by Austin Swift, and Kovacs played by Logan Miller, seem friendly enough, if a bit rowdy. They are masking disappointment after their band falls apart when their frontman heads to Los Angeles in search of fame.
The group decides to continue the party at a sprawling mansion deep in the woods. Drinks flow, games are played, and it quickly becomes clear that things are not what they seem. As the night spirals into grisly violence, secrets come to light and blood is spilled.
But is it all at Satan’s command, or has media-driven hysteria created a monster of its own?
What makes "We Summon the Darkness" work is not just its wicked mid-film twist or the clever, organic build of tension, although both are excellent. It is the cast’s commitment. Much like the panic itself, hysteria must feel believable. The six leads bring intensity and authenticity to the chaos, particularly Daddario and Hasson, who walk a careful line between menace and vulnerability while clearly relishing the high-wire act. Forsyth, Johnson, and Miller provide strong support, grounding the film and sustaining its tension with confidence.
The film feels like a throwback to movies such as 1986’s "Trick or Treat", which used horror to mock moral panic while still delivering genuine thrills. One character warns late in the story, “You shouldn’t believe everything you see,” a fitting message for a film that thrives on misdirection. "We Summon the Darkness" is hype worth believing.
Home Video
The film has received a single home video release. The Lionsgate Blu-ray includes an audio commentary featuring director Marc Meyers and writer Alan Trezza, along with a 16-minute featurette titled “Envisioning the Darkness.”
Bits and Pieces
Traum A Meter:
3 out of 4.
Some violence is played for dark humor, but much of it is brutal, including multiple stabbings, gunshots, a vehicular death, and a fiery reminder of why Aqua Net carries a flammable warning label.
Today’s Jam: T’Pau’s “Heart and Soul,” from their 1987 album "Bridge of Spies", is used effectively in the film. There is no reason not to celebrate that anthem, unless you prefer Ariana Grande’s “7 Rings,” which topped the charts the week this film was released.
This Episode’s Moral
The devil is always in the details.
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