In the late 1980s, the United States experienced a "Satanic Panic," leading parents to fear for the safety of their children. But were there any real examples of Satanic ritual abuse? Find out this and more in this classic episode.
AI Summary
# Satanic Panic: When America Lost Its Mind
Josh and Chuck dive into one of the most bizarre mass hysteria events in modern American history—the Satanic Panic of the 1980s and early 90s, when a huge portion of the country became convinced that organized devil-worshipping cults were abducting and sacrificing children. They explore how innocent people had their lives destroyed by false accusations born from a toxic mix of recovered memory therapy, sensationalist media coverage (especially Geraldo Rivera), overzealous investigators, and deep-rooted cultural anxieties about working parents and child safety—all with virtually zero evidence that any of it was actually happening.
Back to the Future
1985
1h 56m
★ 8.3
"I was continuing with the Back to the Future references. What was too darn loud? — Josh references the Back to the Future movie, specifically the scene where Huey Lewis auditioned for the film."
— Josh
Brother's Keeper
1992
1h 44m
★ 7.0
"And you know, did you see Brothers Keeper, the other documentary? Yeah, about the older brothers. — Chuck and Josh discuss the documentary Brothers Keeper."
— Chuck
Paradise Lost 2: Revelations
2000
NR
2h 10m
★ 7.2
"He really championed this case and followed it to its conclusion over the course of two more documentaries over the years. — Josh discusses the sequels to the original Paradise Lost documentary."
— Josh
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
2012
NR
2h 1m
★ 7.4
"He really championed this case and followed it to its conclusion over the course of two more documentaries over the years. — Josh references the third Paradise Lost documentary."
— Josh
Rosemary's Baby
1968
R
2h 18m
★ 7.8
"Rosemary's Baby also came out that year, which was way more mainstream, big, big hit. — Josh cites this major 1968 film as an example of movies contributing to satanic panic themes."
— Josh
The Devil Rides Out
1968
G
1h 36m
★ 6.5
"One horror film called The Devil Rides Out with the great Christopher Lee, because he was in every weird movie. — Josh mentions this 1968 horror film as an example of movies that came out during the satanic panic era."
— Josh
The Exorcist
1973
2h 2m
★ 7.7
"And of course, other things like The Omen and The Exorcist, and it was just a big time for talking about Satan in movies. — Chuck references The Exorcist as a major satanic-themed film from the era that contributed to panic narratives."
— Chuck
The Omen
1976
1h 51m
★ 7.4
"And of course, other things like The Omen and The Exorcist, and it was just a big time for talking about Satan in movies. — Chuck mentions The Omen as one of several satanic-themed movies that were popular during the satanic panic period."
— Chuck
The Wicker Man
1973
1h 33m
★ 7.3
"Christopher Lee was the guy from The Wicker Man. Yeah. And I mean, dozens and dozens of horror movies. — Chuck mentions The Wicker Man when discussing Christopher Lee's filmography."
— Chuck
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