Tales from the Darkside: “Sorry, Right Number” (S4E09)

Written by none other than Stephen King, “Sorry, Right Number” is a standout episode in Tales from the Darkside—not just because of its famous author, but because of its emotional depth and haunting premise. While not particularly scary in the traditional sense, this episode delivers a chilling meditation on regret, fate, and the eerie intersection of time and technology.

Plot Summary

Katie Weiderman is a wife and mother living a seemingly happy life with her horror novelist husband, Bill, and their children. One evening, she receives a mysterious and frantic phone call—someone sobbing and trying to speak, but the connection is too garbled to understand. Katie believes it’s one of her family members in trouble, and she frantically calls around to check on everyone. Everyone appears to be fine.

However, just days later, Bill unexpectedly dies of a heart attack. Years pass. One night, the now-widowed Katie, overcome with grief, finds herself dialling a number out of habit—the night her husband died. The line connects… and she realises she was the sobbing voice on the other end of the mysterious call from the past. She tried to warn herself, but the message didn’t get through.

It’s a chilling loop: Katie’s call was to herself, five years earlier. She had a chance to save her husband, but couldn’t communicate the warning in time. The story ends on a tragic note, with Katie living in the shadow of missed opportunity.

What Works

Stephen King’s Signature Pathos

This story feels very personal and emotionally grounded. King’s strength in crafting believable family dynamics shines here. The domestic moments are warm and lived-in, making the tragedy hit that much harder.

Emotional Impact

The horror here isn’t about monsters or gore—it’s the slow, dawning realisation of an inescapable fate. The idea that you could almost change something—almost—is haunting in its own way.

Subtlety and Restraint

Unlike many Darkside episodes that go for dramatic or supernatural flair, “Sorry, Right Number” plays it quiet. The tension comes from normalcy being disrupted by something small and inexplicable—a phone call. It’s a very human kind of horror.

Poignant Ending

The final scene, when the older Katie realises her younger self is the recipient of the garbled warning, is genuinely moving. It’s not just a twist—it’s a gut punch.

What Doesn’t Work

Pacing and Minimal Action

The episode is largely dialogue-driven and contemplative, which might not appeal to all viewers. There’s no traditional horror “payoff,” and those looking for a scare may find the plot slow.

Dated Production Values

Like many episodes of Tales from the Darkside, the aesthetic here is unmistakably 1980s. Some of the acting and set design feel like a soap opera, which can unintentionally undercut the emotional weight of the story.

Predictability for Seasoned Viewers

For fans of time-loop or predestination stories, the twist may be seen coming. However, it’s still effective thanks to its emotional resonance.

Themes: Regret, Destiny, and the Limits of Communication

This is one of the most thematically rich Darkside episodes. It speaks to the inevitability of death, the futility of hindsight, and the tragedy of being unable to fix what you know is broken. Katie’s call is a metaphor for how we often try to send messages to our past selves—warnings, advice, pleas—but time, like a bad phone connection, makes it impossible to be heard.

There’s also a powerful message about how grief lingers. Katie never really moves on, and the loop of her sorrow perpetuates itself. In a way, she becomes her own ghost.

Final Thoughts: A Quiet, Devastating Tale of Loss

“Sorry, Right Number” might be the least supernatural yet most emotionally resonant episode of the series. It trades jump scares for gut-wrenching sadness, and it lingers long after the credits roll. The tragedy doesn’t come from a demon or a curse, but from a failure to connect, and the unchangeable nature of fate.

Who Would Enjoy This Episode?

• Fans of Stephen King and emotional horror
• Viewers who prefer character-driven, grounded stories
• Anyone intrigued by time-travel paradoxes and tragic irony

Who Might Not Enjoy It?

• Horror fans looking for visceral scares or monsters
• Viewers who dislike slow pacing or domestic drama
• Those uninterested in melancholic, contemplative endings

Final Verdict: Quiet, Poignant, and Thought-Provoking

“Sorry, Right Number” isn’t just one of the best Tales from the Darkside episodes—it’s a miniature tragedy that showcases how horror can live in the things left unsaid. It may not make you scream, but it might just make you cry.