Ep 5. Chilling Children

From creepy dolls to possessed playthings, AMC Visionaries: Eli Roth's History of Horrors is taking a deep dive into the world of chilling children. In this episode, Roth explores the long history of creepy kids in horror films and television, from the demonic Damien in The Omen to the ghostly twins in The Shining.

Throughout the episode, Roth speaks to a variety of experts in the field of horror, including directors, writers, and actors who have brought terrifying children to life on screen. He also delves into the psychological and societal factors that make the concept of evil children so frightening to audiences.

The episode begins with a discussion of the iconic horror film The Exorcist, which featured a young girl possessed by a demon. Roth speaks with actor Linda Blair about her experience portraying the terrifying Regan, and also talks to director William Friedkin about the impact that the film had on audiences.

From there, the episode moves on to other classic horror films featuring evil children, such as The Village of the Damned and Children of the Corn. Roth explores the different ways that filmmakers have approached the concept of creepy kids, from those who are overtly demonic to those who seem innocent on the surface but reveal a dark side as the story progresses.

Along the way, Roth also looks at some of the lesser-known films and TV shows that have explored the theme of creepy children, including the Canadian horror series Todd and the Book of Pure Evil. He speaks with the show's creator, Craig David Wallace, about the inspiration behind the series and the challenges of depicting a sympathetic villain.

The episode also delves into the world of creepy dolls, which have been a staple of horror films for decades. Roth explores the history of dolls in horror, from the ventriloquist dummy in Dead of Night to the iconic Chucky in Child's Play. He talks to director Tom Holland about his experience creating the doll in the film Fright Night, and speaks with doll maker and collector Creepy Caroline about the appeal of scary dolls.

As always, Roth provides his own personal insights and reactions throughout the episode, reflecting on his own childhood fears and his love of horror. He also shares behind-the-scenes stories from some of the horror films that he has been involved with, including the Hostel franchise and the upcoming adaptation of Borderlands.

Overall, Chilling Children is a fascinating look at one of the most enduring themes in horror: the idea that a child, who is meant to be innocent and pure, can also be the source of unimaginable terror. With Roth's trademark enthusiasm and energy, this episode is sure to send shivers down the spines of even the most seasoned horror fans.