Satranic Panic

Last updated
Satranic Panic
Satranic Panic film poster.jpg
Film poster
Directed by Alice Maio Mackay
Written byCassie Hamilton
Alice Maio Mackay
Benjamin Pahl Robinson
Produced byAlice Maio Mackay
Erin Paterson
StarringCassie Hamilton
Zarif
Lisa Fanto
Chris Asimos
Raul-Xavier Garcia
CinematographyAaron Schuppan
Edited byAaron Schuppan
Music byAlexander Taylor
Distributed by Dark Star Pictures
Release date
  • 2023 (2023)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
Budget$10,000 AUD [1]

Satranic Panic is a 2023 Australian horror film directed by Alice Maio Mackay, and co-written by Cassie Hamilton, Alice Maio Mackay, and Benjamin Pahl Robinson. It stars Cassie Hamilton, Zarif, Lisa Fanto, Chris Asimos and Raul-Xavier Garcia.

Contents

Its plot features trans drag queen Aria (Hamilton) and her non-binary friend Jay (Zarif) as they embark on a road trip across Australia while fighting demons to avenge the death of a loved one. [2] The film is inspired by works such as Priscilla Queen of the Desert , Buffy the Vampire Slayer , and Robert Rodriguez films (such as Machete ). [2] [3]

Cast

Satranic Panic features a largely LGBT cast and crew. [4]

Production

Mackay shot Satranic Panic when she was 18 years old. [5] It is Mackay's fourth feature film, following T Bockers (2023). [6]

Release

Satranic Panic held its world premiere at SXSW Sydney on October 19, 2023. [7] [8] It later premiered at other events in 2023 such as the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, Outfest x American Cinematheque (U.S. premiere) [9] , Nitehawk/Future of Film is Female, Salem Horror December Double Feature, and the SOHO Horror Film Festival. [1] The film was distributed by Dark Star Pictures [10] [11] and was released digitally on August 13, 2024. [12]

Reception

Satranic Panic has garnered positive reviews. Red Broadwell of Dread Central rated the film 4.5 out of 5 stars, praising its cinematography, comedic tone, and commentary on trans moral panic. They state, "Satranic Panic is Alice Maio Mackay’s most ambitious and stylish film yet, tackling transphobic fear-mongering at her new creative peak." They also compare elements of the film and its style to the works of David Lynch, Gregg Araki, Lizzie Borden, and Todd Haynes. [4]

Alexandra Heller-Nicholas of the Alliance of Women Film Journalists highlights the film's audacity and joy. She states, "In Satranic Panic, like Mackay’s earlier movies, transphobia and homophobia kill, and there’s something extraordinarily powerful in how she weaves that hard truth into her vibrant supernatural horror scenarios." [6]

Daniel Gorman of In Review Online celebrates the film's DIY aesthetics, likening it to the works of Gregg Araki and the Evil Dead movies. He states, "It’s all undeniably chintzy, but the lo-fi digital work is an essential part of the film’s charm." [10]

References

  1. 1 2 "Satranic Panic". FilmFreeway . Archived from the original on 15 February 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  2. 1 2 Dunn, Gabe (3 September 2024). "Indie Trans Filmmaker Alice Maio Mackay's Latest Is 'Buffy' Meets 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert'". Autostraddle . Archived from the original on 7 July 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  3. Rohr, Jay (2 September 2024). "Alice Maio Mackay Discusses Satranic Panic". FilmObsessive.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  4. 1 2 Broadwell, Red (12 October 2023). "'Satranic Panic' Review: Alice Maio Mackay's Most Ambitious Film Yet". Dread Central . Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  5. Kermode, Jennie (13 August 2024). "Satranic Panic". EyeForFilm.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 June 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  6. 1 2 Heller-Nicholas, Alexandra (15 September 2023). "SATRANIC PANIC – Review by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas". Alliance of Women Film Journalists . Archived from the original on 6 December 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  7. Vann-Wall, Silvi (19 October 2023). "Satranic Panic director Alice Maio Mackay is an 18-year-old trans woman on a mission". ScreenHub.com. Archived from the original on 25 March 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  8. James, Jonathan (9 August 2024). "Horror Highlights: SATRANIC PANIC, BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, SLAUGHTER AT CAMP SWINELAKE". DailyDead.com. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  9. "Satranic Panic". American Cinematheque . 28 October 2023. Archived from the original on 19 November 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  10. 1 2 Gorman, Daniel (20 August 2024). "Satranic Panic — Alice Maio Mackay [Review]". In Review Online. Archived from the original on 14 June 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  11. "Satranic Panic". Darkstar Pictures. Archived from the original on 7 September 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  12. Blacktooth (8 August 2024). "Dark Star Pictures to Release Trans Slasher SATRANIC PANIC On Digital and On Demand August 13". HorrorSociety.com. Archived from the original on 19 November 2025. Retrieved 19 November 2025.