32 Years Ago, The X-Files Most Terrifying Villain Return For a Disturbing Sequel Episode

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Even though The X-Files featured many frightening episodes, one of its early follow-up stories remains particularly unsettling. The new X-Files reboot will face a tough challenge living up to the original. Though the reimagining benefits from the direction of Ryan Coogler, known for Sinners, it will be difficult for any continuation to match the success of the groundbreaking series. Along with Twin Peaks, The X-Files was a hugely influential show of the 1990s, uniquely combining supernatural mysteries with a crime investigation format.

Before shows like Supernatural, Fringe, Evil, Lucifer, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Grimm popularized the blend, The X-Files was a pioneer in combining genre storytelling – like science fiction and horror – with the structure of a police investigation. This mix was especially effective in the show’s scariest episodes, such as “Squeeze” (season 1, episode 3). While “Squeeze” was incredibly frightening, the follow-up episode, “Tooms” (season 1, episode 21), arguably had a bigger impact on the overall story arc of The X-Files.

The X-Files Season 1 Episode 21 “Tooms” Aired On April 22, 1994

Following the introductory episodes that established the season’s main storyline, “Squeeze” was the first standalone monster case in The X-Files. The episode featured Mulder and Scully investigating a series of murders committed by a killer, Eugene Tooms, who could contort his body to fit into incredibly tight spaces. Tooms proved to be a particularly unsettling villain, and it was difficult for Mulder and Scully to gather enough evidence to prove his unusual method of operation – squeezing through places like storm drains and air vents – to bring him to justice for most of the episode.

The episode “Tooms” reintroduced the memorable villain Tooms, who was released on a technicality and promptly resumed his murders. This classic X-Files installment follows Mulder and Scully as they try to capture the shapeshifting killer, but it’s also significant for another reason: it marks the first appearance of Mitch Pileggi as Skinner and an early appearance of the Cigarette Smoking Man. Because of these introductions, “Tooms” is a pivotal episode in the show’s overall story.

“Tooms” Remains One of the Most Disturbing X-Files Episodes

The episode “Tooms” successfully combined a self-contained monster story with the season-long overarching narrative of The X-Files, a technique the show used more and more as it evolved. It’s also remembered as one of the scariest episodes, and the character Tooms consistently ranks among the show’s most frightening villains. While the episode “Home” later earned the show’s only mature rating, both of Tooms’ appearances were particularly terrifying and memorable.

After Tooms was finally defeated, The X-Files needed a new, frightening villain, and season 2’s “The Host” delivered with the unsettling Flukeman. Though the Flukeman’s methods weren’t as clever as Tooms’, its horrifying appearance was truly memorable. The revival series later introduced another standout villain, Mr. Chuckle Teeth in season 11’s “Familiar,” but it didn’t quite reach the same level of terrifying impact as Tooms.

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2026-04-22 16:14