Are You Afraid of the Dark? (TV Series) The Tale of the Dead Man's Float (1995) User Reviews

Probably the best episode of Are You Afraid of the Dark ever

[Pythe · 10/10 · 8 September 2007]

Man, this is a great episode--probably the best of the entire series. I'd say it's as clever as many classic episodes of The Twilight Zone or The X-Files. The people responsible gave us an original story without cutting corners or taking lame shortcuts. In other words, they didn't write down to their target audience, which, I'm sorry to say, a lot of episodes from this series did. This results in a very mature episode, with genuine suspense and a real sense of danger. Perhaps the smartest thing the filmmakers did was not to show the actual monster until the very end, and when they finally do, it's actually pretty frightening and convincing, and I don't just mean for a kid's show. You can tell the makeup artists were inspired by the EC comics of the 1950s. The characters are also subtle and realistic, rather than two-dimensional cookie cutter figures, and Zeke's backstory feels very real, not overblown or melodramatic. I like the fact that the heroine resists friendship with the high school nerd; she's ultimately kind, but at the beginning of the story is reluctant to put her reputation on the line by giving him the time of day, which seems much more true to me than the typical "popular girl with an unconditionally accepting heart of gold" that often appears on children's shows. And the fact that the monster of the story has actually killed people makes it a tangible threat. This episode doesn't wrap everything in a nice soft safe package simply because preteens will be watching; instead it gives them enough credit to give the story a bit of an edge, so that you don't outgrow this one like you might others.

Floats Above The Rest!

[PinkPurple · 10/10 · 7 August 2008]

This was arguably by far the best episode this show ever produced! It basically had all the elements that ever made this show great on it's best days and took those elements to a level it never quite equalled. I have other favourites too but this one edges them all out.

First off the tank of ideas perhaps burst at it's peak with this episode. It came late in the game and washed away most of what was left to offer. Truelly the shows's finest hour.

The use of a swimming pool this time was one of the more unexpected places to turn the image of on it's head. They made very effective use of tieing the premise into the more typical fear some people have of the unknown of water in general. The makeup department etc really out did themselves with another of the show's best monster visuals. It's very as another reviewer so fittingly put it, similar to something E.C. Comics (of Tales from the Crypt fame) would think up. A sort of play on the creature of the blackmagoon. Even more impressive though is how the monster spends the bulk of the episode being built up in the viewers imaginations as an unknown quantity, which is so much creepier than if you saw what it looked like too soon. It's also given the rare special status of having actually a real death toll under it's belt. It's not the typical wishy washyness and it's history with the haunted Janitor character is genuinely felt. The actor behind said Janitor did a good gritty sad turn selling the hell out of the monster's legacy.

But the real icing on the cake that makes this episode the most memorable is that the characterisation was at it's strongest. The cast just felt more special than the average ones too, maybe the fact they were a little older than the usual brat packs played some part. Everything seemed to pull together nicely. The budding romance was my favourite verison, the duo dynamic. They kept it so much more true to life, from the extremely entertaining, pretty yet spicy Clorice character being initially resistant to the school nerd to how it takes an indirect challenge to lower her defences.

The afore mentioned lead, Zeke the geek is such a remarkable character for this show. Some of the other geeky leads were a lot of broad fun but this guy was undeniably the most well drawn, fleshed out and well rounded of all. On the surface he would superficially appear the paper nerd stereotype but there's just something about this guy. The actor to his credit manages to suggest a lot about him deceptively. He isn't just smart, he displays real guts and a sense of cunning. It's that cunning that gets him time with Clorise, I like how he realises the use he can make of the swimming pool he found and gets her attention through taking a clever chance. He must know full well the odds didn't look good and he tries anyway. His back story, the hole 'My leg got tangled up with weeds in water as a kid' thing is refreshingly convincing, hell it's actually happened to me. It's nice how it develops at just the right pace, the more they got to know each other, the more of a special balance they found they could get from each other. he softend her edges while she kind of helps him go from boy to man in a sense. The mini character arcs reach a fitting climax with Zeke's willingness to face his fears in an attempt to save Clorise. Both actors were simply a lot more raw and real than this show is used to. I hope both did well in whatever they went on to and would love to see more of them.

This will always be among my top childhood favourites that I treasure above all others. It forever floats on in my heart.

Deep Trouble

[hellraiser7 · 10/10 · 4 October 2016]

"Warning don't read unless seen episode." This episode to me was one of the shows last great gems in their last truly good season, this is my second favorite episode for the show. In a way this episode sort of predates the film "It Follows" as it had a sequence at a pool but also was about a Ghost Zombie.

It's a simple and constantly used premise on an area that shouldn't be disturbed which awakens supernatural forces but it's the execution that makes it's stand out. There are several things that make this memorable, in a way the episode is like a combo of two different types of horror, aqua phobic and the haunted, both make a great combo. Not just is it dealing with a fear of the supernatural but you have aqua phobia to deal with which is a real fear, the threat of possibly drowning is something that can happen to anyone. Or even just the simple fear of never really knowing what's underneath the darkness of the water.

I really like the design of the water ghost zombie, it's a really nasty looking, scary and memorable monster, reminds me of the zombies from the 80s Italian horror film "The Beyond". I remember how this thing creeped me out almost put me offing going to the pool for a while.

It's a little hard to get away from since it can come in and out of anything that can produce water, even just a mere puddle it might possibly appear. However the worst part is that unlike any conventional zombie it's hard to kill, whenever you physically hit it it will just go right it like water. Though it actually is easy to kill if you know your science which becomes a useful weapon in the end.

However to me what really makes this great is the two protagonists Clarice and Zeke. In a way you can say the dynamic is a bit like Mary Jane Watson and Peter Parker. I really like Clarice, the actress I remember had a little crush on, I thought she was kinda hot she does look good in that swimsuit.

Ahem back to subject, Clarice has charisma, strong both physically and mentally she has a certain feistiness to her which I like, feisty girls are always my type. She's pretty much one of the popular girls as she is a star athletic swimmer, at first she doesn't really want to get near Zeke because she's somewhat insecure due to her status which is understandable for anyone in her position. Though I don't feel she should be that worried because the funny think about popularity is that it's really not real, just like each wave on an ocean it's a fleeting thing. This is truth she slowly discovers which makes her even stronger than before.

Zeke is of coruse a common underdog, despite his high intelligence he doesn't have all the breaks and isn't the one that will likely be on anyone's radar. But the think about him is he's clever, determined, has big desires, really does have a lot to offer the world, and most importantly he may be ill confidant but not short of courage, so he's got guts.

When both come together and interact it's just great both of them just have chemistry together like the lava in a volcano slowly builds up. We see both of them slowly but surely peel away the archetypal masks that they wear in the public eye. And we see that both of them they really open up to one another as well as warm up to each other, recognize each other for who they really are.

This of course really helps as both of them have a monster to deal with. The fact that both of them are working together really gives them both a step up in survival as an old saying goes two heads are better than one. But to me what makes the most enduring is the fact that there time together has made them both grow slowly but surely, kinda like with the characters in a Howard Hawks film, Zeke becomes more of a guy and Clarice more of a woman. This makes both of them help each other even more, in one scene when Clarice is in trouble as the Water Zombie is closing in, Zeke despite having little knowledge to swim jumps in to distract the zombie and have Clarice get away to in turn save him. That was a great moment seeing Zeke do what any good boyfriend should do when their girlfriend is in trouble, which just shows Zeke truly is a man. But also Clarice a woman from as she in turn saves Zeke. To me this is a good example of a working relationship as part of it is about helping each other in time of need.

This tales stays afloat.

Rating: 4 stars

Season 5 opened with a bang

[turquoise_star_17 · 10/10 · 7 October 2021]

This is easily one of Are You Afraid of the Dark's scariest episodes. The Jaws-style underwater camera shots are effective at cranking up the tension, knowing the thing in the pool is invisible except for its sulphur smell. When its form is finally revealed as a convincingly nightmarish red-coloured monster, wow... the costume department outdid themselves.

90's TV shows were notorious for cheesy special effects sometimes, and this includes some episodes of AYAOTD, but Dead Man's Float was not one of those times. How the Midnight Society didn't let Stig in after this story will forever be a mystery.

Absolutely terrifying

[lysanderprophet · 10/10 · 19 February 2009]

When I first saw this episode as a child of about 6, I remember not even being able to finish it from sheer terror. I don't know if it was the eponymous "Dead Man," an eyeless ghoul who could pretty much teleport anywhere he wanted as long as there was water, or the fact that his "raison d'etre" echoed the idea behind Poltergeist (another movie that terrified me as a child), but I can still remember having nightmares for weeks after seeing this one.

Now that I've gone back and watched it, it's not quite as scary, but it still makes me uneasy. Unlike the majority of the other "Are You Afraid of the Dark Episodes," which feature cackling, one-dimensional villains that serve only to set up evil plots, the horror in "Dead Man's Float" is subtle, eerie, and downright chilling.

And that, I believe, is why it's probably the best "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" episode ever created.

Come hell or high water, go see this episode. Surprisingly, it's worth diving into! It's kinda deep.

[ivyleague929 · 8/10 · 5 December 2018]

It's kinda surreal to think that the opening for this show was a lot scarier than most of the stories that the Midnight Society was going to tell. However, once in a good while, there was a tale that was very spooky & somewhat compelling. One such example was first episode of the fifth season, 'Tale of the Dead Man's Float'; which aired on Oct 7, 1995. Written by Will Dixon and directed by D.J MacHale, the episode chronicling tells the story of two teenagers, nerdy Zeke Matthews (Kaj Eriksen) & his high school crush, Clorice (Margot Finley) finding an abandoned swimming pool at their school, only to find out, that there is a mysterious creature lurking beneath the water. Without spoiling this episode too much, I have to say, I like how the writer & director were really testing how deep the waters can get, with this kid show. By 'water', I meant, how much, can they get away with visually, before religionist conservative types groups complain to both YTV & Nickelodeon, to be accountable for their indecency. Seeing what I notice here, it seems like this episode got away with a lot. After all, the opening moments of the tale had a child die onscreen. That death scene, follow up with another 3 mention off screen, made this episode, very deadly. This is very rare to see, where majority of the tales are victimless. However, it does beg the question, how the main characters got the school to refurbish the pool in the first place with that much known deaths & why Charlie Dempster (Michael Ayoub) didn't stop them? To piggy back on that; wouldn't the workers refurbishing it, notice a dead body under the ground, when setting up new pipes or at least, when some of them started to disappear or get kill off? It doesn't add up. Despite that, I do like how the way, those pool scenes were shot. It somewhat mirrors the underwater stalking point of view's shots of 1975's film, "Jaws', with a lone swimmer being pull under the water by an unseen creature, while also playing homage by, building up the monster's appearance until the finale. That was pretty cool, along with the nod to the phantom coming from the wall visual effect from 1984's 'Nightmare on Elm Street', with the unseen creature stretching out of the tarp. Who knew, you can make a drain pool look ominous and unsettling. I also dig the part, where the zombie like monster finally appears. He's blood red, deformed, mostly bones and rotting flesh! He looks like something out of the makeup special effects from 1980's slasher film 'Friday the 13th' mixed with 1979's Italian horror movie, 'Zombi 2'. Even the dated splashing water computer effect that came with him, was pretty good at the time. It really blows other effects on this show, out of the water! It also makes the monster, a tangible threat. Pretty frightening and convincing. Even, his death scene by melting was kinda gruesome, even if it's not that scientific accuracy. While, it's true that any alkali metal will make water 'blow up' violently, however, manganite is an inert mineral and does not explode upon exposure. Still, it's a toxic mutagenic substance that cause eye & skin irritations. So, it was a bit weird to see our heroes, swim in it, along with the remains of methyl orange & the acidic corpse that smelled of 'rotten eggs' that could be sulfuric acid; which is equally as hazardous. Based on what's in the water, they should had been burn victims, by the end. Regardless of that, there is more things, I got to throw some cold water on, such as the out of place poster mentioning date rape in the background. What the hell was that!? Is there, a secret message or metaphor within this episode that I didn't know about!? That was pretty disturbing to see in a scene, while an old man nearly dies around some children. Another problem with this story is the inappropriate love triangle between Zeke, Clorice and Greta (Aimée Castle), which in core, wasn't really needed. I don't really think it's a good idea to teach kids that the person who hates you should be lusted after when there's actually a good person out there who does truly love you. I felt that Greta got wasted as a pointless throwaway character, just to hammer that people shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Nevertheless, I do like how each character does grow in the plot & conquer their fears. I like how they're not shallow cookie cutter stereotypes. Plus, it's cool that the episode had them, along with an adult, work together to defeat the monster, rather than one of them, doing all the work. As for the acting, it's alright for the most part. However, it was a bit consistent toward the end, when the custodian is alright, after having a serious stroke. That was a bit odd. I also found that some of the supporting performers in the story, here, like Jay Baruchel, Arthur Holden & Jessica McKenzie were reused in other episodes, in different roles, so that was a bit jarring to see. As the Midnight Society parts. I found the Codie Wilbee's character of Stig as a poor replacement for Jason Alisharan's Frank Moore whom departed by the end of Season 4. Stig ended up being hated on by fans that he was rarely used in future episodes & clearly phrased out, due to the character's mostly painfully unfunny, gross, & obnoxious annoying humor. While, we never got to see the results of what was originally plan with him. I just glad, the show didn't follow up on it. Overall: While, this episode does have some flaws. It still made a splash! This is definitely one of the show's most memorable and visually disturbing outings, hands down. It's one episode, worth pooling for. This tale stays afloat.

A story of a pool

[livetheparty99 · 10/10 · 4 August 2006]

The story starts with an outcast boy afraid of the water, whether in pools or the ocean. At his school, the only pool they have is a run down piece of crap. Then, one day he and this girl knock over a locker and discover a hidden door. Inside, they find a large pool that, with some cleaning, could be awesome. when the kids leave to tell the principal what they have found, the janitor walks into the pool room, hinting that he knew it was there. As he walk in, something shifts under the pool cover. OK, later, when the swim lessons start, no one suspects anything is wrong with the pool, until a few kids drown strangely. also, the main characters feel things grabbing for them while they swim, but see nothing. OK, so at the end they pour acid into the water and a this red moss covered creature of sorts chases them through the school. I forget the details of the end, but basically the JAnitor is the brother of some kid that the creature killed in the ocean, so he trapped him in a vacant pool. Anyway, they all live in think.