10 Most Terrifying Scenes In Buffy The Vampire Slayer

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.