Tales from the Darkside: “Black Widows” (S3E06)

“Black Widows” taps into one of humanity’s most primal fears—spiders—and wraps it up in a generational horror story that’s part domestic drama, part creepy-crawly nightmare. It’s not the most polished episode of Tales from the Darkside, but it does manage to stick in your memory with its unique blend of horror, absurdity, and a slightly campy tone.

Plot Summary

The story centres on a woman named Audrey Webster and her daughter Lizzie. Audrey is recently widowed, and she and her daughter have moved back into the family home. Lizzie is acting strangely—withdrawn, secretive, and often covered in blankets. She also suffers from strange physical symptoms, including intense pain and… strange growths.

As Audrey begins to unravel the mystery of her family’s past, she discovers a terrifying truth: the women in their family carry a terrifying hereditary curse. Every generation, the female line gives birth to something not quite human—spider-like beings with a thirst for blood. Lizzie is transforming, just like her ancestors did, and Audrey must confront the horror head-on.

What Works

Body Horror and Transformation

One of the creepiest elements of the episode is the slow, grotesque transformation that Lizzie undergoes. It’s not done with flashy effects, but the implication is there—subtle, weird, and itchy in a metaphorical way. Her slow descent into something monstrous makes for compelling and unsettling viewing.

Themes of Inheritance and Matrilineal Horror

There’s something fascinating about a horror story that deals not with curses passed from father to son, but from mother to daughter. The idea that the women of this family are doomed to become literal monsters offers a twisted metaphor for inherited trauma, puberty, or even societal pressures placed on women.

Creepy Atmosphere

While the effects are modest, the episode does well in building a claustrophobic mood. The family home feels like a trap—filled with secrets, hidden histories, and eight-legged symbolism. There’s a layer of unease that builds slowly as Audrey realises she’s reliving a nightmare her family has suffered through before.

What Doesn’t Work

Campy Execution

The acting can be a bit melodramatic, and the dialogue sometimes dips into the soap-operatic. While this might be part of the episode’s charm, it can undercut the seriousness of the themes. The balance between horror and camp isn’t always even.

Unconvincing Effects

Let’s be honest—this episode was made on a tight budget, and it shows. The spider effects, when they do appear, are more laughable than terrifying. A lot of the horror is implied, which is usually a strength, but here it feels like it’s out of necessity rather than creative choice.

Abrupt Ending

The episode builds up a strong sense of dread, only to end rather suddenly. The resolution is more of a dramatic beat than a satisfying payoff. It leaves you with more questions than answers—not in a good, mysterious way, but more in a “wait, that’s it?” kind of way.

Themes: Female Identity, Legacy, and Transformation

“Black Widows” trades heavily in the symbolism of the black widow spider: beauty, danger, the female figure as both nurturer and destroyer. It plays with themes of inherited monstrosity—asking whether we are doomed to become our ancestors or if we have the power to break the cycle.

The transformation of Lizzie might also be read as a metaphor for adolescence or the fear of a daughter’s independence and change. It’s a metaphor with teeth—eight of them, and possibly venomous.

Final Thoughts: A Flawed but Intriguing Episode

“Black Widows” isn’t the best episode of Tales from the Darkside, but it’s a memorable one. It takes a big swing with its concept, and even if it doesn’t quite land all of it, it deserves credit for trying something unusual.

If you can look past the shaky effects and occasionally overwrought performances, there’s an interesting—and genuinely creepy—story at the core. It’s part psychological horror, part creature feature, and all wrapped in metaphor.

Who Would Enjoy This Episode?

• Fans of body horror and transformation narratives
• Viewers interested in generational horror with a feminist twist
• People who appreciate campy, low-budget horror with big ideas

Who Might Not Enjoy It?

• Those who need strong special effects to stay immersed
• Viewers who dislike slower pacing or dialogue-heavy plots
• Anyone with severe arachnophobia (or maybe… especially those viewers)

Final Verdict: Creepy Concepts Let Down by Execution

A solid premise with some very interesting subtext, “Black Widows” doesn’t fully deliver on its promise, but still manages to be an oddly memorable entry in the Darkside canon. Just don’t watch it if you’re already itchy from the idea of spiders crawling under your skin.