Satan Wants You

Play trailer

1:46

Satan Wants You

2023

1h 29m

Documentary

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

43 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Satan Wants You tells the untold story of how the Satanic Panic of the 1980s was ignited by "Michelle Remembers", a lurid memoir by psychiatrist Larry Pazder and his patient Michelle Smith. Supported by the Catholic Church, the bestselling book relied on recovered-memory therapy to uncover Michelle's childhood abduction by baby-stealing Satanists. Amplified by law enforcement and America's Daytime TV boom, satanic rumors spread through panic-stricken communities across the world, leaving a wave of destruction and wrongful convictions in their wake. This film digs deep into the roots of moral panics and cult conspiracies, showing how these events still affect and distort our reality today.

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Critics Consensus

Capturing a media frenzy in shocking, eye-opening fashion, this documentary has its eyes on the truth and a commitment to counter the fearmongering spread by some who believe Satan Wants You.

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Andrea Thompson

Chicago Reader

As it is, the documentary is an attempt to delve into a mostly unexplored history of a modern witch hunt.

Sep 15, 2023

Full Review

Barry Hertz

Globe and Mail

There is a great, big, awful picture that needs to be painted here, but this doc is too preoccupied by the devil in the details of one specific, already overanalyzed case.

Aug 8, 2023

Full Review

Alexandra Heller-Nicholas

AWFJ.org

Satan Wants You is an unflinching examination of the endurance of certain fears, and the equally persistent way that those fears can be cynically mined for financial and political gain by a morally bankrupt few who should know better.

Aug 3, 2023

Full Review

Mike Thorn

In Review Online

Satan Wants You’s chief achievement is that it understands its subject’s substantial sociopolitical implications and articulates them with economy and power.

Oct 10, 2024

Full Review

Katelyn Nelson

Daily Grindhouse

Anyone interested in what makes the wheels of major social panic and hysteria turn will find much to learn from Satan Wants You. Terrifying in its implications and its truths, it even manages to tie in to more current moments.

Aug 4, 2024

Full Review

Jason Shawhan

Nashville Scene

It is an infuriating and oddly captivating story that will certainly angry up the blood.

Nov 22, 2023

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Jason A

A great look into how moral panics can easily start and get out of control. Unfortunately, a lot of the satanic panic of the 80's seems to be making a resurgence. Especially in the United States.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/02/25

Full Review

Audience Member

one of my favorite docs I have seen in awhile. The fact that all this satanic panic goes back to this fucking doctor who wanted his 15 minutes of fame. my friend grew up in super catholic house and their parents believe this shits real. a must watch doc and its free on tubi so what are you waiting for?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/12/24

Full Review

B P

Compelling Documentary Chronicles Destructive Roots of Satanic Panic

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/11/24

Full Review

Eeva V

The topic was interesting. However, the focus was a bit lost and it only managed to scratch the surface of the topic.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/17/24

Full Review

M G

absolutely amazing, well researched and also who is present? Sarah Marshall from youre wrong about podcast.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/24

Full Review

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Steve J. Adams

Director

Sean Horlor

Director

Blanche Barton

Self

Sarah Marshall

Self

Debbie Nathan

Self

Elizabeth F. Loftus

Self

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Satan Wants You: Trailer 1

1:46

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Synopsis

Satan Wants You tells the untold story of how the Satanic Panic of the 1980s was ignited by "Michelle Remembers", a lurid memoir by psychiatrist Larry Pazder and his patient Michelle Smith. Supported by the Catholic Church, the bestselling book relied on recovered-memory therapy to uncover Michelle's childhood abduction by baby-stealing Satanists. Amplified by law enforcement and America's Daytime TV boom, satanic rumors spread through panic-stricken communities across the world, leaving a wave of destruction and wrongful convictions in their wake. This film digs deep into the roots of moral panics and cult conspiracies, showing how these events still affect and distort our reality today.

Director: Steve J. Adams, Sean Horlor
Producer: Michael Grand, Melissa James
Screenwriter: Steve J. Adams, Sean Horlor, Sean Horlor, Steve J. Adams
Distributor: Tubi
Genre: Documentary, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 20, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 20, 2023
Runtime: 1h 29m

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