Satranic Panic

As in T Blockers, Mackay’s villains are lunatics, led by a manipulative, closeted bigot determined to destroy others while denying his own nature. Destroying all transpeople while being a person who enjoys wearing women’s clothes and makeup themselves, hence the film’s title. Satranic Panic as a whole film kicks down the door with low-budget effects, razor-sharp dialogue with down-to-earth, topical conversations within the frame of the horror genre, giving it a relevant place not only in the transgender community but as a film.  Poignant remarks by Jay at one point in the film regarding how Max’s love for him showed Jay that he could be loved for who he was. He never thought he was worthy of Love, affection, or care with someone unless his true nature was hidden.

Cassie Hamilton fills the screen with a larger-than-life character filled with contradiction, love, and a feeling that she is isolated all at the same time. Her musical moments stand out as she takes the stage with some quality, well-performed songs. The counterpoint to that Jay, who works at a shop, stares at Aria with wishful admiration as she performs often later providing much level-headed humour and direction even though they both share grief for Max. Lisa Fanto, who was previously in Director Alice Maio Mackay’s Bad Girl Boogie, brings on the third person in the relationship between Jay and Aria with a huge dose of sensual vulnerability in any language.

“…fills the screen with a larger-than-life character filled with contradiction, love, and a feeling that she is isolated…”

Chris Asimos’s horrid Dr. Fenway expresses the lunatic logic of a mad scientist from the thirties and forties as he outlines why he wants to destroy. He does this looking a little like Ed Wood minus the Angora sweater from the film Look Back in Angora, which was perhaps an inspiration.

Satranic Panic is fun to watch for those who enjoy horror at its best when real issues are put forth against the background of a familiar genre trope. In this world of heterosexual horror which this film in no way looks, feels or sounds different from, this work makes for a lovely viewing experience.   We are all outsiders at one time or another, we have all suffered grief or will eventually, this film shows no matter who you choose to love we are all Human.