Tales from the Darkside: “Answer Me” (S1E15)

Answer Me is an episode that leans heavily into psychological horror, threading an eerie atmosphere through a simple yet unnerving premise. Set almost entirely in a single apartment, it taps into the fear of the unknown, the anxiety of isolation, and the maddening effects of persistent, inexplicable noise.

While minimalist in scope and sparse in cast, the episode delivers a memorable experience thanks to a strong central performance and the way it weaponises sound, in this case, a relentlessly ringing phone.

Plot Summary

Joan Matlin is an ageing actress staying in a dingy New York apartment while auditioning for a comeback role. From the moment she arrives, things feel off. The apartment is grim, the walls are thin, and most annoyingly, there’s a phone constantly ringing in the neighbouring room. But the neighbour, a woman named Mrs. Nakos, is nowhere to be found.

Joan, frustrated by the incessant ringing, complains to the building superintendent and tries banging on the walls, but nothing stops it. As days go by, the ringing persists at all hours, gnawing at her sanity. She becomes more and more obsessed with stopping the noise, believing that someone, or something, is playing a cruel joke on her.

Eventually, Joan breaks into the neighbour’s apartment to confront the source of the disturbance. What she finds is more than she bargained for: a dusty, decaying room, a disconnected phone, and a chilling final moment that suggests the ringing may have been more than just an annoyance. It might have been a summons.

What Works

One-Woman Show with Punch

Jean Marsh (of Upstairs, Downstairs fame) carries the entire episode, and she does so with aplomb. Her transformation from annoyed tenant to psychologically unravelling woman is both believable and compelling. Her performance keeps us invested even when the plot is minimal.

Sound Design as a Monster

The ringing phone is used brilliantly as a source of tension. It’s a banal sound made sinister by its constancy and unexplainable nature. The longer it goes on, the more it grates on both Joan and the audience. That sense of sonic claustrophobia is key to the episode’s horror.

Atmosphere Over Action

The grimy, bleak apartment and muted colour palette reinforce the themes of decay and desperation. It feels like a space no one escapes from easily—either physically or mentally. It’s a classic urban haunting, devoid of ghosts but full of dread.

What Doesn’t Work

Thin Plot

The episode is essentially a slow burn toward a single payoff. While the atmosphere is rich, the lack of meaningful plot progression or character interaction may test the patience of some viewers. It’s a mood piece more than a traditional story.

Ambiguous Ending

The final reveal is more symbolic than explanatory. We’re never told why the phone rings, or what exactly Joan discovers, leaving it open to interpretation. That ambiguity can be unsettling in a good way, but also frustrating for those wanting a concrete resolution.

Limited Rewatchability

Once the mystery of the ringing phone is revealed (or not), the tension evaporates. It’s a one-and-done type of episode that thrives on the unknown.

Themes: Isolation, Madness, and the Unknown

Answer Me plays heavily on the emotional toll of isolation. Joan is alone, her career is fading, and the city around her is uncaring. The ringing phone becomes a metaphor for her fraying psyche—a reminder of unanswered questions, lost connections, and the oppressive silence of a life slipping into obscurity.

There’s also a subtext of urban alienation: how one can be surrounded by millions and still be entirely alone, tormented by things no one else sees or hears. The supernatural angle is left vague, which makes it even more disturbing. Is she haunted, or just losing her mind?

Final Thoughts: A Quiet Descent into Madness

While Answer Me might not be for everyone, it’s a standout in terms of mood and performance. It doesn’t need monsters or elaborate effects to chill you. It uses the most mundane of irritants—a ringing phone—and turns it into something horrifying.

It’s a showcase of psychological horror on a shoestring budget, proving that sometimes the scariest thing is what you can’t explain… and can’t stop.

Who Would Enjoy This Episode?

• Fans of psychological horror and minimalist storytelling
• Viewers who enjoy ambiguous endings and mood-driven tension
• Anyone who loves single-character dramas

Who Might Not Enjoy It?

• Those looking for fast-paced plots or visual scares
• Viewers who prefer clear resolutions and narrative closure
• People triggered by repetitive noises (seriously, that phone…)

Final Verdict: The Call is Coming from Inside Your Head

Quietly creepy and anchored by a stellar solo performance, Answer Me is a taut, unsettling exploration of solitude, obsession, and the fine line between reality and madness. Just… maybe put your phone on silent before you watch.