From BOB on ‘Twin Peaks’ to ‘Killing Eve,’ 14 Most Bone-Chilling Moments in TV History (Photos)
Blood and gore is a familiar trope in grabbing viewers’ attention. However, some television scenes go beyond just shallow violence, instead tactfully crafting truly haunting moments that are difficult to shake for years after.
“Twin Peaks,” BOB Crawling Toward Camera Within a still shot of a rosy living room, body-inhabiting spirit BOB, in the form of a scraggly-haired man, scrambles over the couch and heads straight to the camera. The fade-to-black moments that mimic blinking as well as BOB’s menacing gaze make it seem as if he means to lunge through the TV and at the viewer.
“Hannibal,” The Human Mural In a show filled with images of grotesquely mutilated figures and mandolined human flesh, the most haunting visual comes in the shape of a fractal-like arrangement of naked bodies – uncharacteristically bloodless but nauseating nevertheless. From above, the giant, lifeless sculpture resembles the dappled pigmentation of a human iris, and if the eyes truly are the windows to the soul, then this scene provides an unsettling look into the show’s titular character.
“American Horror Story,” Bloody Face Reveal Arguably the most twisted and horrifying season, “American Horror Story: Asylum” unveils the true identity of masked killer Bloody Face: well-groomed and seemingly empathetic psychiatrist, Dr. Thredson (Zachary Quinto). When patient Lana Winters (Sarah Paulson) finds herself trapped in his basement, he orders her to kiss her dead girlfriend, assuring her she doesn’t bite – because he’s removed all her teeth.
Black Mirror, Dr. Dawson’s Demise The first of “Black Museum’s” three vignettes follows Dr. Peter Dawson (Daniel Lapaine) when, after a technological mishap, he begins processing pain as sweet pleasure. His agonizing descent involves chipping away at himself as the camera shifts from a blood-stained bathroom floor to the mirror, reflecting him extracting his own teeth from an unrecognizable face.
“Breaking Bad,” Todd Kills Kid at the Train Tracks Short-lived character Todd Alquist (Jesse Plemons) appeared at first to be rather endearing and intellectually limited muscle for Walter (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse’s (Aaron Paul) meth operation. However, when a small boy bears witness to their train heist and waves sheepishly, Todd reciprocates before pulling out his gun and shooting him despite Jesse’s cries of protest.
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