‘Hail Satan?’ Trailer: New Documentary Shows That Satanists Are People Too

If you grew up in a religious family, you probably heard that Satanists are these mysterious, evil folks that steal animals for sacrifice and are probably possessed by demons of some sort. And they’re, most definitely, not normal people that live typical day-to-day lives like the rest of us. That’s where the new documentary “Hail Satan?” comes in.

The Satanic Temple might not be a household name, but you probably are aware of their actions. The religious group garnered headlines a few years ago when they challenged the addition of the Ten Commandments to a government building. The group claimed that the government should also allow the Satanists to put their own monument, in a way of showing freedom of religion. From there, The Satanic Temple has made it their mission to spread the word of Satan by using courts and legal rulings to further their cause. Think of them as religious freedom fighters, but with a lot of tattoos, piercings, and black clothing.

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The documentary “Hail Satan?” attempts to highlight their cause in an educational, but also very humorous way. By showing these Satanists aren’t horrible demons hellbent on spreading evil throughout the world, the documentary paints a very different picture of Satanism than you might be aware of. It shows that yes, these folks don’t necessarily believe in the same things that most Americans believe in, but they are far from scary. They’re just people with different beliefs.

“Hail Satan?” is directed by Penny Lane, who is probably best known for her work on projects like “Our Nixon” and “Nuts!”

“Hail Satan?” hits theaters on April 19.

Here’s the film’s synopsis:

Chronicling the extraordinary rise of one of the most colorful and controversial religious movements in American history, Hail Satan? is an inspiring and entertaining new feature documentary from acclaimed director Penny Lane (Nuts!, Our Nixon). When media-savvy members of the Satanic Temple organize a series of public actions designed to advocate for religious freedom and challenge corrupt authority, they prove that with little more than a clever idea, a mischievous sense of humor, and a few rebellious friends, you can speak truth to power in some truly profound ways. As charming and funny as it is thought-provoking, Hail Satan? offers a timely look at a group of often misunderstood outsiders whose unwavering commitment to social and political justice has empowered thousands of people around the world.