: The heavy use of film grain, rapid-fire editing, and a muted, yellowish color palette creates an unsettling, "dirty" atmosphere that matches the fuzz-heavy bassline.
The official music video for by Muse is a gritty, claustrophobic masterpiece that perfectly mirrors the track's driving, obsessive energy. Directed by Matt Kirby, the video departs from standard performance clips to deliver a narrative-driven psychological thriller. Visual Style and Narrative muse_hysteria_official_music_video
: While the narrative takes center stage, brief, distorted shots of the band performing are spliced in, feeling more like frantic hallucinations than a traditional concert setup. Critical Reception : The heavy use of film grain, rapid-fire
: The video uses reverse-motion and fragmented cuts, leaving the viewer to piece together the protagonist's mental breakdown and his fixation on a woman (played by Hayley Caradoc-Hodgson). Visual Style and Narrative : While the narrative
Critics and fans alike often cite "Hysteria" as one of Muse's most effective visual works because it avoids the grand sci-fi tropes the band later became known for, opting instead for a raw, human intensity.
: The video is widely praised for its literal interpretation of "hysteria"—portraying a loss of control and overwhelming desire.
: His portrayal of frantic desperation is convincing and elevated the video's production value beyond standard rock promos of the time.