‘Tales from the Darkside’ Retro Recap: ‘Answer Me’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains discussions on suicide, which may be triggering and uncomfortable for some individuals.
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Truly one of the biggest reasons that horror remains one of the most popular genres out there, is the sheer fact… that audiences can take something special away from every horror story they encounter. For stories within this genre are often heavily layered so that people looking for deeper meaning can find that within the framework of the scares, while others who simply want to be terrified or just enjoy buckets of gore can find that too. Which really is quite amazing when you think about it, since most stories out there work hard to stick to a singular message or concept, and it makes sense as to why this is such a beloved aspect of the genre.
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Because it means that multiple viewings can uncover wonders untold for the audience. Since they can find the message or messages within the story if they decide to look past the gore and terror and on the flip side of that… one doesn’t always have to think when they want dive into a horror story. They can just enjoy it for what it is and dig deeper into the heavy stuff later. If anything, this particularly wonderful aspect of horror is top of mind today, simply because the next episode of Tales from the Darkside, features a story that offers up that exact type of tale. For ‘Answer Me’ is a story that can be seen as a powerful parable regarding suicide and what might motivate someone to take their life, or it can be viewed as a good old fashioned ghost story… one that leans hard into the scares.

A feat that this story accomplishes, courtesy of its unique and intimate plot. For we are introduced to an actor named Joan Matlin in this tale, and she just so happens to be subletting a relative’s apartment in New York to use as a place to decompress and prepare for upcoming roles. But there is quite the problem with this apartment. In that, the neighbor, or neighbors next door, let their phone ring off of the hook day and night and the thin walls make that ringing nothing short of torture. But when Joan takes matters into her own hands to try and end this madness… she makes a terrifying set of discoveries. In that, it appears the troublesome apartment in question was host to a horrible end to the former tenant and whatever motivated that end… is still within its walls and is waiting for someone to step in and investigate so it can feed again.

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Which really is a story that seems completely and utterly grounded in horror through and through. Because there’s an evil spirit that apparently loves to claim lives next door, and it knows how to press buttons and bait people… and obviously its plans work. Since Joan is quick to step inside that apartment to find the source of the madness and pays the price dearly. For her actions accelerate the plans of this entity to claim her life. Plus, the constant ringing and banging coming from that apartment, alongside the eerie vibe that accompanies her exploration of it, really does deliver a straightforward horror story that speaks to a spirit that loves to inflict suffering before it claims the life of its victim.
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But at the same time, Joan’s intense monologues and soliloquies speak to a character that is in quite the tough place. Since she is constantly down upon herself and her situation and she even speaks often to how the person in the other apartment died in great detail. And when you carefully examine Joan’s panic and self-loathing and how that seemingly relates to the intensity of the activity from the other apartment… one begins to wonder if there’s something personal at work here. As though we are spending time with a person that has lost all hope and is in a supremely low and depressed place because of their life standing and career failures and believes that perhaps… the only way out is to harm themselves, and that the only way to go through with it, is via an elaborate plan and scenario that somehow justifies their end in their minds.

Which is… a very dark and difficult place for a story to go, but those elements are there and cannot be ignored and need to be applauded. Because this was a taboo topic in 1985 and is still taboo now and even a rudimentary exploration of such matters, in this manner, is more than people get on screen these days. But at the same time, this is a scary story as well, lending credence to the reality that this is one of those perfect horror stories. One that truly offers dual concepts for the audience to feast upon and well… that’s quite amazing. Since the audience can decide in their mind which concept is the real focus of this story, and that truly reinforces the wonder of this genre and the brilliance of this show. Since this level of depth and layering requires some tender care through and through. Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight.

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