I don’t like scary shows, which is why my friend Eva specifically wrote "not scary" in the IM she sent me insisting that I watch a clip from last Thursday’s Supernatural season finale. She knew I’d enjoy seeing Dean (Jensen Ackles) and Sam (Jared Padalecki) sing "Wanted Dead or Alive."
Me: They used the best part of the song!
Her: I know!
Combine this with the show’s appearance in our gallery of gratuitous TV moments, and I’m seriously considering catching Supernatural in repeats. But if I do, will I ever sleep again? Eva says she goes completely cold with fear at least once an episode: "There is often whimpering. On rare occasions, tears."
So how scary is this show? And where does it rank among TV’s greatest spooks?
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I detest horror films, however, Supernatural is one of my guilty pleasures. (For the record I was a huge Buffy/Angel fan and tend to find myself attracted to sci-fi and fantasy shows.) While I won’t claim it isn’t scary at all – there have been a couple episodes that I have been forced to watch something light a happy before going to bed – for the most part the horror and gore don’t send me into terrors. As I am sure many other rabid fangirls will point out, that while the show features supernatural/horror themes on a weekly basis, in the end, it’s all about the brothers’ relationship. Besides the show also provides opportunities to stare at Sam’s naked, ripped torso or revel at the rare moments of Dean in 1 layer. I say, give it a try!
I’m usually okay, although there have been a few episodes that I’ve had to stop and watch the next day, when it’s light. I’ve also waited (although it was tough) until my sister and her husband could watch it with me. Even if it scares you a lot though, it’s totally worth it. It’s my favorite show. It bypassed guilty pleasure stage halfway through season 2. Now I have no guilt at all.
Darker in tone than Buffy but lighter than the X-Files. Throw in the occasional comedic episode and the (sadly) occasional gratuitous TV moment, and you have yourself a winner.
It’s not scary. I think there was one episode that I was a little jumpy with, but that’s all. Just depends on what scares you, I guess.
It’s so scary that I won’t watch an episode without my roommate right there to grab onto/hide behind
then again, I am a huge wimp. So not that scary. Entertainingly so, with a couple of good scares per episode.
It’s well-countered, though, with a light and often very funny script and a good driving plot. It’s the non-scary stuff that keeps me coming back.
I’m incredibly, unbelievably easily frightened, but I’m ok with Supernatural. The only episode that really gave me trouble was “Bloody Mary” in season 1, but that was mostly based on a pre-existing fear rooted in too many junior high slumber party ghost stories. Even if you get scared, it’s worth it. You can just be like me, and choose to believe that Sam and Dean will come and save you from anything that might be lurking – and they’ll look damn pretty doing it.
Depends on what scares you, but it’s nowhere near Xfiles scary. It’s grounded in some great performances by Jared and Jensen, so the scary is worth sticking around for, because you get some seriously good entertainment out of it.
Not that scary – just enough to get the blood pumping a little bit. Of course, the Winchester Boys help with that too
Darker than Buffy and lighter than X-Files is a good description. However Supernatural has the awesomest scripts, some of the finest acting and directing there is and a one helluva storyline. The relationship between the brothers, the scares and the laughs… Supernatural is a great mix of everything. Not to mention the show has the most good looking leading stars.
I tend to watch Supernatural from behind my teddy *lol*
I think the show is less horror-film scary, but more full of suspense and mystery and just all-out freakiness.
…but then, I love scaring myself silly
And angst. Can’t forget the angst *lol*
Wow. I’m glad someone else mentioned “Bloody Mary”. I had no problem with the scary factor until that episode in Season 1. I stopped watching after that one gave me nightmares. If that was the worst of it, maybe I should catch up and start watching again.
Although the show does delight in the over-the-top gore they are sometimes allowed to show, where it excels is in creating real suspense and anticipatory fear with just suggestion–subtle clues, shadowy glimpses, evocative music and almost sub-audible sound effects. I’ve been watching season one with my eighty-year-old mother, who’s never been a horror fan, and still has trouble keeping Dean and Sam straight, but recently admitted “I see what you like about the show”.
The show does get a bit scary once in a while, but I’m a person who loves the thrill of freaking myself out. Besides, you know you’re going to be laughing soon, or swooning, so it won’t leave you traumatized. And I have to say, this show does funny horror/gore scenes like nobody’s business. This season’s Christmas episode and the season finale were both disgusting and hilarious, all at the same time. Doesn’t get better than that!!
Does it scare the pants off me? No. But sure gives me the creeps, especially with my view through the window (dark forest, brrr). There is also suspense and gore, and what the special effects guys come up with and with such small budget, is just AMAZING.
However, I would advise you to watch with somebody else, not because of the scares but the MAJOR angst. A few tissue boxes at hand wouldn’t come amiss as well.:)
I never watch scary movies and I don’t watch horror films but I love Supernatural. For me it’s the relationship between the brothers that hooks me in. It’s wonderful show, well acted ,directed, written and filmed. Everyone I’ve introduced this show to thinks it’s great. If you haven’t seen it I suggest you catch up.
Woo Hoo, finally a mention of Supernatural on Popwatch! A couple of episodes are scary, but it’s not too bad, just a lot of fun to watch. I am a scaredy-cat by most people’s standards, too. A lot of times I get surprised by the amount of gore allowed on the show though, like last week for example. Beautiful Dean being ripped to shreds was pretty f-ing scary.
I do remember watching the pilot by myself in my apartment and needing to sleep with the light on aftwards.
If you scare easily, you may wanna watch it with someone. I’m a complete horror buff, so it’s never really been a problem for me. I think that only thing that had me hiding, was some of the gore in season 3.
I would DEFINITELY watch it! I’m probably the biggest pansy on the face of the planet and I’ve never seen a horror movie in my life, but one of my friends urged me to watch Supernatural and I’m so glad she did! I mean, you have your gory moments and your creepy moments, but they usually have a fairly evident lead in so you have time to turn away
First, I am a huge Buffy/Angel fan so I love the supernatural stuff and all the monsters, therefore, I don’t find Supernatural that scary. Sure there are many demons featured on the show but these are very unrealistic, there are other shows that are more realistic and downright creepy such as Dexter. Hope you give the show a chance.
I avoided SPN from the moment I saw the posters at the Beverly Hilton in the summer of 2005 during the promo season, until the start of 2007, because I was sure it would be too horror-film for me; I could barely sit through Scream.
But I love the show and it does a good job of visually warning you with cues – like sharp, spikey objects – that you might want to watch with your fingers over your eyes.
I am outright TERRIFIED of scary movies. I had to hide my eyes during Signs because I was so scared. Somehow, Supernatural is ok for me. For one, I have to tell myself constantly to expect something scary – so when it happens, I’m not nearly as scared. But really, it’s more than worth it. Sam and Dean are AMAZING. I almost cried during that scene you just posted, it was so awesome!
I’m actually surprised you guys blogged about this show. Supernatural is great! The brotherly love is amazing and the plot is good too. Their use of rock songs is spot-on.
I kinda get scared watching Supernatural if it’s late and the room is really dark. The show also has a lot of funny moments as well.
Love it!
I was talking about Supernatural one day to a couple of friends and one asked if it was scary or not. I told him it’s not scary, but it definintely creeps me out every now and then. They have pretty good effects on the show for the budget they get. They’re good with suspense too. Here’s one lesson I learned though: if I watch a handful of episodes before bed, then I dream about those episodes. Now that’s what creeps me out. I wish it was just Sam and Dean in my dreams minus the creepy stuff. Mmmmmmm.
P.S.
I posted a blog about the finale today. Check it out: http://tvfan.ew.com/blogs/post/1060
In my opinion, it’s more of a family drama than true horror – that said it can certainly bring the creepy and the gory. However, when it all boils down to it, Supernatural has the best written and acted sibling relationship on television – regardless of genre. Totally worth checking out!
It’s no scarier than “X-Files” at it’s creepiest, really. And it’s absolutely worth any whimpering through the scary parts for the writing and acting on the show, I promise.
It’s a good scary. Just enough to give you shivers up and down your spine. It’s brothers Winchester that make the show though. Wonderfully written poignant moments and outright comedy mixed with the good scary stuff.
I converted my 76-year-old mother into a fan and she’s never been a fan of horror. Yet she’s a huge fan of this fantastic show.
I say give it a chance. Jared and Jensen’s phenomenal acting can’t be beat.
i’m not a fan of horror in any such way, but i love this show! it’s more action adventure than anything. sure, there’s a bit of gore, some fun special effects, and monsters out the wazoo. but the real story is in the drama, the comedy, and the love between two brothers with one odd job. plus all the guttery thoughts it inspires muwahaha. well okay, that last one was just for the females and a few guys. that’s where the guns and fights comes in. there’s a little something for everyone, dark enough to keep adults interested, yet not horrid enough to scare away little children.
watch it! you’ll love it!
I enjoy watching “Supernatural.” I love me some Dean & Sam. But, in my opinion, the show isn’t remotely scary. There is a little gore here & there sometimes, but nothing worse than what you would see on some lame crime drama.
Supernatural does have it’s scary moments but this show is so well written and Jensen and Jared portray the characters of Dean and Sam in such a brilliant ways, you overlook the scary and just watch for them. The brotherly moments, like the “Wanted Dead or Alive” scene are what make the show for me.
So yeah…definitely watch it!