10 Most Terrifying Scenes In Buffy The Vampire Slayer
These scenes from Buffy the Vampire Slayer will keep you awake at night.
In many ways, Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a misleading title. Though the titular character spends plenty of time slaying vampires, the show is fundamentally a coming-of-age tale with lots of adolescent humour and drama.
Having said that, the show can still be frightening when it wants to be. During the gang’s many adventures, they encounter all sorts of horrible demons. Some of them are inspired by classic horror villains, whilst others are completely new creations that we’ve never seen before.
Due to this wide array of villains, there are many terrifying scenes throughout the series. Every season features a fair amount of jump scares, gruesome details, and heart-pounding chase sequences. Yet the most terrifying scenes tend to have a nightmarish quality to them, depriving the characters of their agency as they struggle to stay alive in life-threatening situations.
Whilst there are plenty of television shows that are much scarier than Buffy, these moments are not for the fainthearted. Even if you’re well-versed in the horror genre, the following scenes will stay with you for a long time.
10. The First Evil Terrorises Dawn (Season 7, Episode 7)
While Buffy is out on patrol duty, Dawn takes advantage of the empty house by eating whatever she likes, watching scary movies, and playacting as the Slayer. But her blissful evening soon turns sinister when she starts experiencing some paranormal activity.
As well as the strange knocks and the shaking walls, Dawn has to contend with the sound of her dead mother’s voice. Though she does her best to remain calm, the situation gets creepier and creepier as the night goes on. The appearance of Joyce’s corpse is definitely the most terrifying moment, but the blood spatters upon the walls aren’t particularly pleasant, either. Dawn has to deal with these supernatural horrors all by herself, and her attempt to cast a banishing spell is totally useless.
What’s more, there’s a sense of ambiguity in this scene that makes it even more unnerving. By the time Dawn’s night of terror comes to an end, she’s still none the wiser about what’s happened. Only later do we learn that the First Evil was behind it all.