In the 1990s, a disturbing wave of fear known as the “Satanic Panic” engulfed North America and other parts of the world. This phenomenon, fueled by a belief in Devil worshipers engaging in ritual abuse of children, spread like wildfire, leading to numerous innocent people being accused of heinous acts. At the center of this frenzy were a Canadian woman named Michelle Smith and her psychiatrist, Dr. Larry Pazder. Together, they authored the controversial book “Michelle Remembers” in 1980, which claimed to chronicle Smith’s recovered memories of participating in a Satanic cult. The award-winning documentary “Satan Wants You” dives deep into the origins and consequences of this cultural hysteria, shedding light on the manipulation and damaging effects caused by these false memories.
During the mid-1970s when Michelle Smith and Dr. Pazder practiced “recovered memory therapy,” this psychiatric technique held a certain authority. Through methods such as hypnosis, suggestion, and inducing a trance-like state, patients were encouraged to recover memories they had no conscious recollection of. However, as the documentary reveals, these memories were highly unreliable and potentially fabricated. Hearing actual recordings of Smith’s therapy sessions, which were anonymously sent to the filmmakers, was a chilling experience. These tapes contained passages that were identical to those found in “Michelle Remembers,” confirming that the events described in the book may have actually taken place during the therapy sessions.
The publication of “Michelle Remembers” propelled Smith and Dr. Pazder into the international spotlight. They embarked on a worldwide tour, sharing Smith’s supposed experiences within a Satanic cult. The impact of their claims was felt profoundly, particularly in the town of Victoria, B.C., where the director of the documentary, Sean Horlor, grew up. The spread of Smith’s frightening tale created a palpable atmosphere of fear and suspicion within the community. Victoria became engulfed in what Horlor describes as a “black cloud of fear,” as residents grappled with the false notion that Satanists were lurking at every corner.
Horlor vividly recalls the paranoia and terror that gripped Victoria during the height of the Satanic Panic. His upbringing in close proximity to Smith and Dr. Pazder meant that their presence loomed over his daily life. The Satanic Panic had transformed Victoria into a nightmarish landscape, where even mundane activities like visiting downtown or going to the local graveyard during Halloween became laden with dread. Horlor shares how he felt compelled to avoid individuals wearing black clothes, as they were falsely associated with Satanism and viewed as potential abductors or murderers. The impact of the Satanic Panic extended far beyond Victoria, encompassing countries such as Canada, the United States, and Great Britain. Lives were shattered as innocent people faced imprisonment and false accusations of unimaginable crimes.
The Lingering Threat of Hysteria
While the Satanic Panic of the 1990s eventually subsided, the documentary serves as a stark reminder that such mass hysteria can resurface. The consequences of false memories and collective fear remain significant, and society must remain vigilant against the potential for another wave of panic. The series “For the Love of Docs” continues to shed light on various topics, offering valuable insights and cautionary tales through thought-provoking films.
The Satanic Panic of the 1990s was a haunting era marred by false memories and distorted beliefs. Michelle Smith and Dr. Larry Pazder’s book, “Michelle Remembers,” played a pivotal role in fueling this hysteria, as their claims of Satanic cult involvement spread worldwide. The documentary “Satan Wants You” exposes the manipulation inherent in “recovered memory therapy” and delves into the widespread consequences of this cultural phenomenon. With the potential for such hysteria to resurface, it is vital to approach sensational claims and recovered memories with skepticism, ensuring the protection of innocent lives from the devastating effects of unfounded accusations.