Are you Afraid of the Dark?: “The Tale of the Thirteenth Floor” (S2E04)
Are you Afraid of the Dark?: “The Tale of the Thirteenth Floor” (S2E04)
Plot Summary
This episode revolves around siblings Karen and Billy, who enjoy spending time in their building’s indoor playroom, located on the thirteenth floor—a floor that doesn’t officially exist according to the lift panel. One day, the floor is closed for maintenance, and when it reopens, it’s mysteriously converted into a new toy shop. The siblings are initially thrilled, but things soon turn bizarre.
Karen starts feeling unwell after a visit, and both notice that the toy shop workers behave strangely and seem overly interested in Karen. As the mystery deepens, Billy discovers that the thirteenth floor is being used by aliens conducting experiments, and Karen is actually one of them—adopted by Billy’s family years earlier. In a bittersweet ending, Karen chooses to stay with Billy instead of returning to her alien origins, despite knowing where she comes from.
Highlights:
- Strong sibling relationship grounds the emotional weight of the twist.
- The idea of a hidden, off-the-books floor adds classic horror intrigue.
- The aliens’ cold detachment and sterile setting feel unsettling.
What Doesn’t Work:
- The alien explanation feels a bit sudden and underdeveloped.
- Tension could be higher—some moments lack urgency.
- Special effects are limited, though they serve the story.
Final Thoughts
“The Tale of the Thirteenth Floor” leans more into sci-fi than horror but succeeds in creating an eerie, emotional story. The concept of a non-existent floor harbouring something otherworldly is classic Are You Afraid of the Dark? material. While the alien twist comes quickly and lacks depth, the episode’s focus on familial love gives it heart. It may not be the most frightening tale, but it resonates on a human level.
