Tales from the Darkside: “The Geezenstacks” (S3E05)

By now, Tales from the Darkside had become known for taking the mundane and twisting it into something dark and uncanny—and “The Geezenstacks” is a textbook example. This episode takes the classic horror trope of creepy dolls and injects it with a surreal, almost fairy-tale sense of menace. It doesn’t go for big scares, but it plants a seed of weirdness that lingers.

Plot Summary

When Audrey, a young girl, receives a mysterious set of paper dolls called the Geezenstacks from her eccentric Uncle Henry, strange things start happening. The dolls are stylised and oddly shaped, with blank expressions and old-fashioned clothing.

Audrey begins naming the dolls after members of her own family, assigning each figure a role: Mommy, Daddy, Audrey, and so on. Innocent enough—until Audrey starts to insist the dolls are “real people” and that they mirror what’s happening to her family.

When Audrey says that a certain doll is sick or injured, those events begin to manifest in real life. Her parents grow increasingly alarmed, especially as accidents and illnesses start piling up. By the time they realise that the dolls may actually control reality—or reflect some dark force working through Audrey—it’s already too late.

What Works

Classic Creepy Doll Vibes

There’s just something deeply unsettling about the idea of dolls mimicking (or causing) real-world events. The simplicity of the paper dolls makes it even more eerie. They’re not porcelain or animatronic—they’re flat and fragile, but somehow deeply powerful.

Audrey’s Performance

The young actress playing Audrey gives a quietly chilling performance. She isn’t overtly sinister, which makes her calm proclamations about the Geezenstacks all the more unnerving. Is she possessed? Psychic? Just playing? The ambiguity adds to the tension.

The Building Dread

The episode handles suspense well. The Geezenstacks’ influence unfolds gradually, and the slow recognition by the parents gives the episode a nice narrative arc. There’s no big monster or dramatic confrontation—just an ominous sense that things are quietly slipping out of control.

What Doesn’t Work

Thin Plot

There isn’t a ton of story here. The premise is strong, but the episode doesn’t do a whole lot with it beyond the basic beats: child gets creepy toy, bad things happen, parents panic. It’s effective, but it doesn’t go as deep as it could.

Unexplained Origins

The dolls just sort of… show up. Uncle Henry gives them to Audrey with little fanfare, and we’re left to guess at their origin or why they have this power. That mystery can be a strength in horror, but here it feels like a missed opportunity. A little more lore or a clue about Uncle Henry’s intent could’ve elevated the story.

Low-Budget Limitations

As with many Tales from the Darkside episodes, the production values are limited. The dolls themselves are unsettling more because of how they’re treated by the story than how they look. Some viewers might find the effect underwhelming.

Themes: The Power of Play and the Horror of Powerlessness

At its core, “The Geezenstacks” is about the blurred line between a child’s imagination and supernatural reality. It explores how children can become channels for forces adults don’t understand—and how helpless parents can feel in the face of that mystery.

There’s also a sense of generational fear here. The parents are sceptical and slow to act, while Audrey is the one connected to something ancient and uncontrollable. It’s a reversal of the usual dynamic, and it makes the parents’ descent into fear all the more effective.

Final Thoughts: Unsettling in All the Right Ways

“The Geezenstacks” isn’t flashy or shocking, but it’s a quietly eerie tale that sticks with you. It takes a simple idea and executes it well, layering on just enough dread to make you rethink every childhood game involving paper dolls or make-believe.

It doesn’t try to explain too much, which works in its favour, though a bit more background could’ve added depth. What makes it work is the tension between the child’s innocent play and the horrific implications of her words.

Who Would Enjoy This Episode?

• Fans of creepy child horror tropes
• Viewers who enjoy slow-burn suspense and psychological dread
• Anyone with a fear of dolls or uncanny toys

Who Might Not Enjoy It?

• Viewers looking for fast-paced action or supernatural effects
• Those who want detailed explanations for mysterious events
• People who dislike ambiguous endings

Final Verdict: A Quietly Creepy Entry with a Classic Premise

“The Geezenstacks” proves that sometimes the simplest ideas can be the most unnerving. It’s not the scariest episode in the series, but it’s one that sneaks up on you, and might make you think twice before buying an old-fashioned toy for your kid.