What do you think of when you think of Satanism? It’s probably not litter picking, after-school clubs and grassroots political activism, but The Satanic Temple manages to subvert preconceptions as easily as it draws apoplectic outrage and downright hatred from the American media and Christian right. Hail Satan? is a new documentary that shines a light on the extraordinary rise of this officially recognised and often surprising religion. Its representatives are deadpan, media-savvy and understand the shock tactic value of a good stunt. The film follows them as, amongst other activities, they attempt to stage a very public Black Mass and disrupt anti-abortion rallies with adult baby performance artists. As Norwegian academic Jesper Aagaard Petersen says in the film, “The most inter...
