Evil premiered in 2019 and subsequently terrified and thrilled audiences with some incredible episodes throughout its four-season run. Horror series follows a team consisting of forensic psychologist Dr. Kristen Bouchard (Katja Herbers), a priest in training David Acosta (Mike Colter), and a tech expert Ben Shakir (Aasif Mandvi) as they investigate what seem to be supernatural incidents. Evil effortlessly toes the line between supernatural horror and crime thriller, making each episode mind-bending while also having an overarching story.
From demonic influences to the horrors that humans inflict, Evil thrives in crafting scary episodes with terrifying villains. Through the show, Kristen deals with the demon haunting her in her sleep, and the evil machinations of the obsessive rival psychologist Dr. Leland Townsend (Michael Emerson) who sinks his claws into her life and family. Evil was canceled after season 4, the show’s best episodes are a lesson in how to make horror for television.
10
S Is For Silence
Season 2, Episode 7
Aptly named “S Is for Silence”, this episode follows Kristen, David, and Ben as they travel to a monastery and are forced to take a vow of silence while within the premises. The trio is sent to the monastery to investigate the body of Father Thomas, a deceased monk being considered for sainthood. The unique silent episode relies on visual storytelling as the team is forced to communicate without words or risk the release of a demon. With the trio’s vow of silence being a high-stakes affair, the lack of dialogue inside the monastery makes the episode delightfully creepy.
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While no supernatural evil or demon is haunting the monastery, the spine-chilling reveal that the true culprit behind the evil presence in the monastery is the outbreak of botflies. “S Is for Silence” is able to balance out the fright factor of the episode with humorous internal monologues, making it a fun but creepy episode. In addition, it gives much-needed depth to the dynamic between Evil‘s David and Kristen and the romantic tension between them.
9
Exorcism Part 2
Season 1, Episode 9
The episode “Exorcism Part 2” revolves around David’s ongoing conflict with his relationship with the church and his aim to become a priest after he is sued for botching the exorcism of Caroline Hopkins. David’s dynamic and potential romance with the church lawyer Renee Harris (Renée Elise Goldsberry) makes for an intriguing new addition to the show, and the episode mostly follows the case and doesn’t delve into supernatural horrors.
Leland’s obsession with the trio and diabolical planning makes for a thrilling scare that sets the tone for the show.
The terrifying part of the Evil episode isn’t any devious supernatural beings or demons; instead, Dr. Leland Townsend’s villainy and the ease at which he encourages Sebastian’s (Noah Robbins) violent and misogynistic behavior are the scariest parts of the episode. Initially introduced in Evil season 1, episode 9, “Vatican III”, Sebastian is easily manipulated by Leland, who exploits his hatred for women in hopes of wrecking chaos and devastation. Without a villain/case of the week, Leland’s obsession with the trio and diabolical planning makes for a thrilling scare that sets the tone for the show.
8
C Is For Cop
Season 2, Episode 6
By season 2, the team has taken a vast variety of cases. However, the investigations in the episode “C Is for Cop” prove to be the most conflict-filled cases for the trio. In this episode, Evil once again proves that sometimes the worst acts of violence are committed without the influence of demons, making it a truly terrifying episode. Kristen deals with being haunted by the ghost of Orson LeRoux (Darren Pettie), the serial killer she murdered after he threatened her family, however, the horrifying part of the episode is what the corrupt police are able to get away with.
The trio is forced to accept the case of a cop claiming that he was possessed by a demon when he shot and killed an unarmed black man. From the grand jury’s refusal to charge the cop to David and Ben being harassed by the police for their investigation, “C Is for Cop” is a bleak look at the justice system and systemic racism in America.
7
Room 320
Season 1, Episode 11
Evil’s episode “Room 320” follows the aftermath of David’s stabbing and finds him trapped and incapacitated at a hospital. Kristen and Ben embark on a mission to hunt down David’s attacker as he recovers from the brutal attack and surgery. Severely weakened and bedridden after the attack and surgery, David is trapped at the hospital under the deadly care of Nurse Linda Bloch (Tara Summers), also known as Nurse Plague.
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Haunted by terrifying visions of creepy demons roaming the hospital halls and grabbing patients along with dire warnings from another patient about Nurse Bloch’s murderous and racist practices, David is trapped in a deadly and terrifying situation. Nurse Plague’s squeaky shoes are an anxiety-inducing sound that sends shivers down the spine, and her repeated abuse of patients is truly horrific. The addition of grotesque creatures taking away patients cements “Room 320” as one of the scariest episodes of Evil.
6
How To Survive A Storm
Season 4, Episode 10
One of the last few episodes of Evil season 4 before the series finale, the episode “How to Survive a Storm” is an artful escalation after seasons of building tension. Against the backdrop of the devastating storm Hurricane Lucy approaching, Sister Andrea (Andrea Martin) struggles to protect the Bouchard girls in the face of numerous demonic attacks and the paranamoral investigating team tries to take down Leland. “How to Survive a Storm” marks Leland’s final attempt to manipulate Kristen’s family as Kristen’s mother Sheryl (Christine Lahti) finally sides against Leland and orchestrates his downfall.
The Evil episode is the perfect culmination of years of build-up and plotting, and the storm heightens the tension of the multitude of demonic attacks and Leland’s diabolical plots.
The Evil episode is the perfect culmination of years of build-up and plotting, and the storm heightens the tension of the multitude of demonic attacks and Leland’s diabolical plots. With David’s attempts to murder Leland via remote viewing, Leland fighting back and putting David’s life in danger, and Sheryl’s final battle against Leland and death, “How to Survive a Storm” is a tension-filled episode filled with scares and drama.
5
The Demon Of The Road
Season 3, Episode 4
“The Demon of the Road” embraces the uncanny valley vibes of an empty highway and makes it the star of the episode. The eerie highway, also known as the Ghost Highway by truckers is usually avoided by drivers due to the terrifying paranormal incidents that often take place on the highway and the appearance of what seems to be a giant demon. The trio is sent to investigate the highway after a trucker is seemingly possessed after driving down the haunted route.
With radios malfunctioning, the car’s power failing, and a flying object following the team as they go on the haunted road trip, “The Demon of the Road” is a terrifying and bone-chilling episode. The thrilling episode is the highlight of Evil season 3 with the scary monster of the week, an intriguing and eerie mystery, and plot progression.
4
Book 27
Season 1, Episode 13
“Book 27” shines as Evil season 1’s finale as the episode is filled with horrific revelations, shocking twists and turns, and thrilling cliffhangers. Kristen’s terrifying dream sequences, Orson LeRoux’s (Darren Pettie) harassment of Kristen and the threats against her daughters, RSM Fertility’s horrific ethical violations, and the reveal that Kristen’s daughter Lexis (Maddy Crocco) could grow up to be evil, combine to make a shocking episode.
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Even with the multitude of chaotic and thrilling plot points, Kristen and LeRoux’s conflict steals the show. After LeRoux’s harassment and stalking reach new heights, Kristen takes matters into her own hands and heads of to murder the threatening presence. Evil’s season 1 finale “Book 27” ends with Kristen holding a rosary and it burning her, implying that she is being influenced by a demon, bringing the first season of the horror show Evil to a perfect end.
3
The Demon Of Parenthood
Season 3, Episode 8
By Evil season 3, audiences can expect pregnancy horror and Kristen having alarmingly frightful dreams. Evil season 3, episode 8, “The Demon of Parenthood” is a perfect glimpse into the scary world of Evil. Kristen is horrified to learn that her egg might have been implanted into another person, resulting in stressful dreams of her breastfeeding a grotesque demon baby. Kristen meets the eight-month-pregnant Valerie (Lauren Norvelle) and Logan (Charlie Semine), the couple who received her egg.
Logan’s growing fear that there’s something wrong with the baby results in him taking a drastic step, as Kristen finds him drenched in blood, claiming that the fetus was killing Valerie and that he had to cut the fetus out. The sequence of Kristen finding Logan covered in blood and screaming in horror as she runs to their bedroom is one of the most chilling and blood-curdling scenes in the show.
2
E Is For Elevator
Season 1, Episode 11
“E Is for Elevator” is one of the creepiest and scariest episodes of Evil in its four seasons. The team is contacted by a family to search for their missing son Wyatt who disappeared months ago, leaving behind only a mark of a pentagram in his room before his disappearance. The team learns that Wyatt took part in the “Elevator Game”, based on a legend that pressing elevator buttons in a particular pattern can open a passage to Hell.
With its terrifying premise, “E Is for Elevator” is filled with scary visuals. The scene where Kristen is stuck in an elevator and sees the woman who was chopped in half by the elevator decades ago crawling through the hallways is gruesomely terrifying and unforgettable. In addition, Ben’s discovery of the bodies of the missing teens is a claustrophobic nightmare.
1
Rose390
Season 1, Episode 4
Evil season 1, episode 4, “Rose390” set the tone for the horror series and cemented it as a very promising show that should have lasted much longer. The episode follows Kristen, David, and Ben after they’re sent to assess a 9-year-old boy who is believed by his parents to be possessed by a demon.
After the young child Eric (Luke Judy) becomes increasingly violent, his terrified parents fear for the safety of their newborn child and contact the team. While it appears that David has managed to connect with Eric, things take a darker turn when he attempts to drown his newborn sister. The scene where David finds and rescues the baby is chilling.
However, Evil takes a sinister turn when the trio returns to the family’s home to perform an exorcism and find that Eric is “missing”, however, the blood in the house implies that the parents panicked and killed their son to protect their daughter. “Rose390” highlighted that Evil was not afraid to get dark, making the rest of the show even more promising.
Evil
8/10
- Release Date
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2019 – 2023
- Showrunner
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Michelle King
