Everyone’s hometown has that one weird touristy place or event that happens every year. It draws in those out-of-towner dollars, sure, but all the locals despise it. Mass Hysteria plays not only on that nearly universal conflict, but also on the timely idea of a witch hunt.
Starting on an ominous shot of dead crows, Mass Hysteria centers on one unlucky night for a group of Salem Witch Trial re-enactors. Paige (Geena Santiago) is ready to get her last year playing the witch out of the way so she can move onto (hopefully) acting on Broadway. When the dreaded obnoxious tourists show up and are disinterested in her historically accurate portrayal, she lays into the witch role a little too hard and spouts off a curse on a frat boy. Unfortunately for her, this particular frat boy then immediately gets sick and keels over, kicking off a literal witch hunt. Spurred on by a local evangelist preacher, the increasingly ill tourists stalk our group of actors in an attempt to recreate history.
From the opening scenes, it’s clear that Mass Hysteria hits on a fun comedic vein. There’s a great long shot near the beginning where Paige is walking down the street talking to her agent on the phone, all the while oblivious to the fact that she is accruing bad luck omens left and right. Directors Arielle Cimino and Jeff Ryan (the latter of which also co-stars) are clearly leaning into Edgar Wright territory, and it largely works. That means you’ll get the action zooms and fast paced dialogue you’d expect from Shaun of the Dead, but with a story that’s unique to Salem and its sordid history.
The cast is definitely the strongest point in the film. Santiago is natural and very funny as the lead, and Ryan is a great companion and foil as her best friend Turner. Their entire group of friends, though, each bring a different comedic sensibility to the ensemble that mesh well. I particularly liked Destry Allyn Spielberg as Triss, Turner’s weird, sister; think the McPoyles on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Many of the unruly, increasingly zombie-like tourists are quite funny as well, though the dramatic lighting and make-up are equally owed praise here.
The film does have some pacing issues; it often feels like it’s moving so fast that you can’t remember how you got here. Clocking in at only 66 minutes, this is perhaps the only indie film that I’ve ever felt needed less cuts. Maybe budgetary limitations came into play with the runtime and pacing, as occasionally there are moments when you really want to see something and the film cuts away.
Overall, though, Mass Hysteria succeeds at what it sets out to do, and it’s a very enjoyable watch. It’s a really fun concept that works within it’s indie limitations to bring something unique and clever to the table. This is the second feature film from this pair of directors, and I’ll be very interested to see what they tackle next!
Mass Hysteria is directed by Arielle Cimino and Jeff Ryan, and stars Geena Santiago, Jeff Ryan, and Destry Allyn Spielberg. It is currently making it’s way through the festival circuit, and is the closing film of this year’s Women in Horror Film Fest on 2/29/20. Follow the film on their Facebook page for updates.