Two Sentence Horror Stories (4/5) [Netflix]

TWO SENTENCE HORROR STORIES is a new series on Netflix. The anthology is based – sometimes a little too loosely – on those tiny horror stories you can read online. Most episodes are really good. We’ve rated each episode in our Two Sentence Horror Stories review here!

Two Sentence Horror Stories is a new series on Netflix. It’s a horror anthology consisting of short films that are all completely separate. The anthology has the common thread of all being based on those two sentence horror stories you can find online various places.

The episode always opens with giving you the first sentence of the horror story. Once the episode is over, you get the final part (second sentence) of the horror story to drive the punchline. The adaption of these sentences is sometimes way too loose for my taste. However, each episode is only around 20 minutes so it’s perfect for bite-sized horror snacking or a quick binge. 

Overall, this is actually a pretty awesome horror series on Netflix and we’ve rated each episode so you can set your expectations accordingly. Check out our ratings in our Two Sentence Horror Stories review below.

Gentleman is episode 1

Plot of Gentleman: A serial killer with an obsession for single moms stalks a young mother who rejected him. 

Our rating: 3/5

This is actually a pretty cool opening – even if most horror fans will have guessed the twist way ahead of time. Jim Parrack from True Blood is pretty damn awesome.

Squirm is episode 2

Plot of Squirm: A low-paid office assistant wakes up naked in her own bed after the office holiday party with no idea how she got there. Who was it and what did he put inside her?

Our rating: 4/5

I really enjoyed this one because this kind of plot just works for me. The ending wasn’t what I expected – it was much better. Creator of the Two Sentence Horror Story series, Vera Miao, both wrote and directed this episode.

Legacy is episode 3

Plot of Legacy: The ghost of an abusive husband continues to torment his family even after his death.

Our rating: 1/5

I did not like this episode at all. I felt the plot was very strange and was uncomfortable to watch for many reasons. None of them related to horror elements. Also, the ending was very strange to me. A person dies and this seems to be completely forgotten. Then again, the Legacy episode features a very typical Japanese horror style which just isn’t for me!

Hide is episode 4

Plot of Hide: A devoted nanny fights to protect the autistic child in her care during a horrifying home invasion.

Our rating: 4/5

While the child in this story irritated me (a lot), I did understand the point of this and it worked for the story. There’s a touch of Funny Games to this story (or even The Purge) and it works extremly well. Also, the Nanny is a real hero and is portrayed perfectly by Greta Quispe. To me, the Hide episode of Two Sentence Horror Stories is the one with the most horrific ending.

Scion is episode 5

Plot of Scion: When a rebellious teen is diagnosed with terminal cancer, his family’s legacy and wealth ensure him a place in an exclusive, experimental treatment center that has a far more sinister transformation in mind.

Our rating: 4/5

This episode began in a very interesting way, but looses its way a bit along the way. It does end up being pretty damn cool before the episode is over, but the beginning still left me wishing for something else. The LGBTQ element was a welcomed surprise since it doesn’t have much to do with the story. That’s exactly the kind of inclusion we’re seeing more and I really like it.

Tutorial is episode 6

Plot of Tutorial: A beauty vlogger records a complex makeup tutorial as the camera catches someone slipping into her room when she’s not looking.

Our rating: 5/5

This is the best episode of Two Sentence Horror Stories. There’s nothing wrong with the plot, characters or cast. It surprised several times along the way and towards the final part, I was just grinning like a happy horror camper! Aleyse Shannon stars as Karine and she is awesome.

Fortunately, we can look forward to seeing her again soon in Black Christmas (2019) – watch the trailer here >

Only Child is episode 7

Plot of Only Child: When an elderly Haitian grandma is forced to move in with her estranged son, she begins to suspect something is very wrong with his perfect family.

Our rating: 4/5

I enjoyed some elements of this episode, but overall it had a few “off” moments. In many ways, the subtle messages were the strongest and I wish they had played more on them. Then again, this is a horror story more than a comment on society.

Little Monsters is episode 8

Plot Little Monsters: A monster adults can’t see hunts the vulnerable children of a housing project.

Our rating: 4/5

One of the episodes that really hit the adaptation perfectly in terms of making a short film out of a two sentence story (the very best one being the Tutorial episode). Simple and to the point while also having some extra horror. Part of the story reminded me a bit of Babadook but the child actors didn’t always deliver. That’s a damn shame when the kids are the protagonists of the story.

Watch Two Sentence Horror Stories on Netflix now!

Vera Miao is the creator of the Two Sentence Horror Stories series and she has created one hell of an anthology. The short episodes makes it very easy to watch and even if there’s an episode you don’t like, there’s bound to be a good one coming up.

For this season of Two Sentence Horror Stories, Vera Miao also directed two episodes. She directed one of my favorite episodes (“Squirm”) but she also directed my very least episode (“Legacy”). But that’s exactly my point; This anthology really does deliver on so many levels that there’s bound to be something for everyone.

As far as I’m concerned, Netflix should invest quickly in getting Vera Miao onboard for another season to go out worldwide. Also, if you watch only one episode of this new horror anthology series on Netflix, then make sure it’s the Tutorial episode!

Two Sentence Horror Stories is out on Netflix in the US from September 20, 2019.

Details

Creator: Vera Miao
Stars: Guillermo Arribas | Pepper Binkley | Jim Parrack | Nicole Kang | Greta Quispe | Kate Jennings Grant | Jaiden Smith | Uly Schlesinger | Zaria Degenhardt | Tara Pacheco | Melinda Mo | Christopher Shyer | Wai Ching Ho | Kimberley Wong | Mikelle Wright-Matos | Aleyse Shannon

Plot

An anthology series featuring updated tales of horror and haunting for the digital age, inspired by the viral fan fiction of two sentence horror stories.