Satranic Panic

“Realism is for Russian Playwrights and lonely virgins.” Alice Maio Mackay’s Satranic Panic is such an immensely fun film. It has musical numbers, violence and gore, killer tits and over the top campy fun. I adore this movie and it’s my favorite of Mackay’s films though I still need to see The Serpent’s Skin. There are some people who really hated this movie and I suspect it’s because of how extremely heavily it leans into the campiness. I personally really connect to this film having grown up in a conservative town that hates me because of the fact that I’m a trans woman. I know that having those experiences probably makes me somewhat biased though I feel most people who like campy horror and John Waters’ films would probably have fun with this one. One of my favourite things about Satranic Panic is how blunt it’s social commentary is. The main villain being a trans woman unwilling to live her truth and takes out all the self loathing she is filled with on trans women that are open and happy because of that is just perfect. I thought Chris Asimos gave a really fun and over the top performance as that character as well. On this particular rewatch I couldn’t help but be reminded of the entire Brian Noem sissy kink situation that was in the news a few weeks ago. I think there are a lot of similarities between these two situations and is certainly not a new phenomenon either. Something that I love overall about Mackay’s films is her ability to make them very funny and goofy but also has the ability to squeeze in very serious and meaningful commentary in the films as well and this is one where it is just executed so perfectly. It’s such a nice blend that I personally just really vibe with. The comedy achieved through cheesy one liners, campy and unconvincing cgi, and over the top performances is just so delightful throughout. Cassie Hamilton is INCREDIBLE as the film’s protagonist Aria and I find her and Jay super easy to root for. She performs the musical numbers that she also wrote so wonderfully. The songs in this I found to be infectiously happy and just loved them so much. The other major thing I love about all of Mackay’s films is the visual aesthetic of them. I love all the coloured lighting mixed with a low budget vibe throughout. Reminds me of the best blend of Gregg Araki and John Waters. Alice Maio Mackay is one of my current favourite emerging filmmakers and I really hope she continues to be more and more successful because she really has something artistic and special in her films that I love so much. It’s so amazing to see more well known filmmakers like Jane Schoenbrun supporting her already by producing her latest film Our Effed Up World and I am so excited to see what she brings to the world in the coming years.