The Rundown: ‘Hysteria’ (VOD Exclusive)

Basics

Hysteria is a relationship drama with the underpinnings of a psychological horror film, courtesy one of the most famous names in porn. We’re taken inside the marriage of Anna (Aiden Ashley) and Christina (Anna Claire Clouds), an ostensibly happy couple whose life is ruptured by disturbing intimations of infidelity. Like the best high-key thrillers, it plays with what is real and what is simply a manifestation of a character’s fractured psyche. It’s also a homecoming of sorts for its director, Stormy Daniels, who returned to Wicked Pictures earlier this year with a new directorial contract. (She’d previously worked with the company over a 16-period starting in 2002.) 

Scene highlight(s)

Note: the twist-heavy nature of Hysteria means it’s best experienced as a full feature, so steer clear of this scene guide if you prefer to avoid all spoilers.

Scene one allows us to eavesdrop on the lovemaking of the movie’s central couple. While their embrace is passionate and erotic, we immediately sense that certain things may also be awry between the two. Contrasting musical tones overlap on the soundtrack, creating a sense of unease even as we revel in the excitement Anna and Christina share. The two performers are terrific here, realistically conveying a strong physical connection that has more than a hint of unpredictability.

We move more deeply into the plot in scene two, which finds artist Christina stealing into the bathroom for a shocking hookup with a potential art buyer and old flame (Seth Gamble). The tone of the sex in this case is aggressive and intense, perfectly matching the shocking nature of the bold hookup itself. Scene three takes us into the lives of two of the supporting players, a therapist (Chris Cock) and a literary agent (Casey Calvert) who distract themselves from life’s stresses with an intimate encounter. (The plot lead-up to the scene also features a genuinely startling jump scare.) Finally, scene four pairs Charly Summer and Ryan Driller (in the role of Anna’s brother). It’s the lead-in to the movie’s final, shocking revelations.

Quotable

“I purposely went for an ethereal feeling to create a striking contrast with the visuals the viewers will encounter later in the story. It certainly helped that I had two of the most flawless and sexiest girls together for the scene . . . not to mention two of the most professional and talented actresses I have directed.” (Stormy Daniels as quoted by AVN)

Why we love it

The title alone is an enticing, even provocative choice by Stormy Daniels, who finds just as many ways to beguile us as a director as she did as a performer.  In previous, less enlightened times, “hysteria” was thought only to afflict women. (Hence its word origin, which comes from the Greek term for “womb.”) One of the supposed cures for this hysteria was helping the woman achieve “hysterical paroxysm,” which we would now simply call “orgasm.” In titling this movie Hysteria, Daniels casts a fascinating shadow of sexual history over the movie’s very contemporary story. Aiden Ashley offers a strong, startling performance as the protagonist, who must decide if it’s her mind or her life that’s unraveling . . . or both! With this bold return to directing, Daniels shows that she hasn’t lost a step, even in the face of an increasingly crowded field of porn psycho-thrillers.