10 Times The X-Files Was Genuinely Scary

Over time, “The X-Files” has gained a reputation for its eerie knack of unsettling its viewers. Even years after it initially stopped airing, first in 2002 and then again in 2018, the series continues to resonate due to its episodes filled with suspenseful tension, haunting visuals, and unexpected plot twists that linger in the minds of the audience long after the credits rolled. The Chris Carter-created series is particularly recognized for its continuous narrative revolving around governments concealing extraterrestrial life, although this central theme was consistently intertwined with moments that were genuinely chilling. Here are 10 instances where “The X-Files” ventured from being unsettling to truly petrifying.

10) Tooms Reaches Through the Air Vent – “Squeeze” (Season 1, Episode 3)

In one of the first “monster-of-the-week” episodes from the series The X Files, there was a focus on a character named Eugene Tooms, an ancient mutant who sleeps after violent outbursts. When he resurfaces, Tooms would stretch his elongated arm through tight ventilation shafts to seize his next victim. The methodical, suspenseful manner in which Tooms operated serves as a lesson on creating genuine fear. Unlike the usual alien abductions, here the terror originates within your very own home.

9) Donnie Pfaster Stares Into the Camera – “Irresistible” (Season 2, Episode 13)

In the mid-point of Season 2’s “The X-Files,” an unsettling character named Donnie Pfaster is introduced, a predator who targets young women, including FBI agent Dana Scully. At one point in the episode, Pfaster turns to face the camera, his chilling, empty gaze locking onto the viewers, creating a sense of unease as if he’s zeroing in on each member of the audience. What intensifies this fear is that Pfaster isn’t portrayed as a supernatural entity in this installment; instead, he’s an ordinary man with a sinister desire to amass his victims’ hair, nails, and bodies. Moreover, the fact that Pfaster appears normal – no disfigurements or monstrous qualities – makes him all the more terrifying because he could easily blend into everyday life, lurking in places like the grocery store or movie theater, which adds to the chilling effect of this scene.

8) The Mother Under the Bed – “Home” (Season 4, Episode 2)

Undeniably, the highly debated episode of The X-Files titled “Home” was initially aired only once on Fox due to an influx of phone calls from viewers who found it excessively disturbing and graphic. This particular episode contains scenes that are truly unsettling, but none surpass the one where Mulder and Scully stumble upon the leader of the family, who is the matriarch of the household strapped to a wooden plank beneath a bed, devoid of limbs and severely disfigured. Considering the heinous acts her sons had already perpetrated at that stage in the episode, her appearance served as an alarming climax to this horrifying narrative. It’s not surprising that this episode was prohibited from re-broadcast for a considerable amount of time.

7) The Devil in the School – “Die Hand Die Verletzt” (Season 2, Episode 14)

In Season 2, an episode titled “Die Hand Die Verletzt” delved into the atmosphere of the Satanic panic period, a theme that was as chilling and unsettling as an episode like “Home.” One might question how such a dark and disturbing episode managed to air on public television, particularly during the ’90s. A standout scene encapsulates this eeriness: at the height of the story, it’s unveiled that the substitute teacher serves the devil. The camera focuses intensely on the character, whose eyes are as black as coal and who appears drenched in sweat. Add to this Mulder and Scully’s frantic efforts to save lives, and “Die Hand Die Verletzt” becomes one of many horror television masterpieces within this series.

6) The First Boil Bursts – “F. Emasculata” (Season 2, Episode 22)

Over its extended run, the popular TV series The X-Files delved into a multitude of distinctive narratives and styles, eventually incorporating more humor as time went on, even in the realm of horror. This was evident in their exploration of almost every subgenre, such as body horror. Throughout its years, The X-Files had many moments that made viewers queasy, but none were quite as gruesome as the bursting boil scene in “F. Emasculata”. A prisoner with an infection had a boil that erupted suddenly, splattering pus and blood against the walls of his cell and nearby inmates. Besides being revolting to watch, this unexpected event serves as a jump scare, causing viewers to feel like they might want to escape their own skin. To add to the horror, it’s revealed that this pus is contagious, triggering primal fears related to infection and contamination, all without any extraterrestrial, ghostly, or monster presence involved.

5) The Bug Crawls Out of the Victim’s Throat – “Darkness Falls” (Season 1, Episode 20)

In a less commonly recognized episode from its first season, titled “Darkness Falls“, the show reveals Mulder and Scully finding themselves in peril within a menacing forest. Surrounded by hordes of ancient green insects, these creatures pose a threat to humans only in the dark. The most chilling scene of the narrative, though brief, is indelible in memory. A character (eventually becoming one of the creatures’ victims) is depicted struggling for breath in a dimly lit space, with viewers witnessing tiny bugs emerging from his mouth. Despite its brevity, the visual is haunting and lingers, making even turning off the lights feel like inviting death.

4) The Stretching Shadow in the Hallway – “Soft Light” (Season 2, Episode 23)

In the episode titled “Soft Light,” we encounter a character whose ominous shadow proves to be as menacing as any mythical beast. This shadow lethally touches anyone it comes into contact with, making the man a perilously dangerous figure in his surroundings. During one particular scene, as he ambles towards his hotel room, the lights behind him start to flicker and elongate. Subsequently, his shadow detaches from his body, engulfing him as it does so. The terror in this sequence lies in its straightforwardness and the exploitation of a common fear – shadows. A gradually expanding dark form slithering along walls like smoke is a prime illustration of how horror can effectively be executed on television, even with a limited budget.

3) Scully’s Autopsy Is Interrupted – “Beyond the Sea” (Season 1, Episode 13)

As a devoted fan of “The X-Files,” I found myself drawn into the chilling episode titled “Beyond the Sea.” In this installment, my character, Dana Scully, receives the heartbreaking news about her father’s demise, an event that intertwines with a case involving a death-row inmate who might (or might not) possess psychic abilities. Throughout the episode, several haunting moments unfold; however, one instance stands out – the autopsy scene.

In this particular autopsy, Scully experiences something unusual, as she feels alone in the room only to find herself reflected in the corner mirror. There’s no background music or explicit explanation; just a chilling shot that leaves you questioning the boundaries of reality. Given “The X-Files” enigmatic nature, it’s plausible that Scully wasn’t losing her grip on sanity but was instead encountering a supernatural force – an ambiguity that amplifies the terror, making it both subtle and unforgettable.

2) The Parasite in the Toilet – “The Host” (Season 2, Episode 2)

In one of the chilling installments of the series, titled “The Host“, a colossal, grotesque humanoid worm called the Flukeman dwells in the sewer network of New Jersey. This alone is enough to send shivers down your spine, but there’s a moment that truly sends a chill – a man unwittingly lowers himself onto the toilet seat, only to reveal the gruesome, deformed head of the Flukeman emerging slowly from the water. Similar to many other frightening scenes on this list, the effectiveness lies in its relatability, as the writers cleverly transform an ordinary daily activity into a heart-stopping experience.

1) Scully’s Paralysis While the Monster Creeps In – “Roadrunners” (Season 8, Episode 4)

In the later seasons of “The X-Files,” episodes like “Roadrunners” from Seasons 8 and 9 are sometimes underappreciated, particularly due to the absence of David Duchovny. However, these seasons contain some exceptional stories, including “Roadrunners.” This episode focuses on Scully’s investigation into a religious cult that eventually kidnaps her and injects her with a parasitic creature. The organism is visible beneath her skin, causing her discomfort as she struggles to free herself, but she remains frozen and helpless despite being fully aware of her dangerous situation. The eerie quietness, immobility, and the terrifying concept of being invaded from within make for an intense and nightmare-inducing experience. Among Scully’s numerous trials throughout the series and films, this moment stands out as particularly memorable.

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2025-07-29 23:43