History NightmareFuel / TheOwlHouse

* [[BigBad Emperor Belos]] is one of the most terrifying villains ever depicted in Main/WesternAnimation--Disney or otherwise--and one who is rarely, if at all, PlayedForLaughs. He towers over everyone with such menace and [[Creator/MatthewRhys his voice]] [[SoftSpokenSadist sounds cold and lifeless]]. Among witches, [[WrongContextMagic he performs magic in a manner that shouldn't be possible]], is powerful and seasoned enough to [[CurbStompBattle hand any who cross his path their collective asses]], and his human appearance is merely a glamour barely hiding a monstrous mud creature within. But the scariest thing about him is [[TautologicalTemplar his self-righteous crusader mindset]], which makes him [[BeyondRedemption impossible to reason with]] as [[IRejectYourReality he will dismiss counterarguments as lies]] and [[CantTakeCriticism often tries to permanently silence his critics]]. His [[FinalSolution genocidal]] intent against the Boiling Isles, the BodyHorror and InescapableFateWorseThanDeath he inflicts upon himself and others, his deceit and manipulations against a population that knows no better, and his genuine charisma that allows him to charm people who would otherwise see through his lies are all played out [[KnightOfCerebus without an iota of comedy or wackiness in them]].

** Early in the episode, Hunter finds a bit of Belos-goop in the old shack, and picks it up between his fingers... using the finger with the cut from the sewing machine. As the episode progresses, he starts hearing Belos's voice and seeing glowing eyes, and he doesn't seem to know whether he's hallucinating or not. When he and Luz are chasing his visions of Belos through the woods, he takes the bandage off his finger, only to see that the wound on his fingertip is ''bleeding green goop''. Belos got into Hunter's bloodstream through the wound on his finger, and had been growing inside him for ''days''.

* Emperor Belos is one of the most terrifying villains in ''Disney'' has ever depicted, and one who is rarely, if ever, PlayedForLaughs. He towers over everyone with such menace and [[Creator/MatthewRhys his voice]] sounds cold and lifeless. Among witches, [[WrongContextMagic he performs magic in a manner that shouldn't be possible]], and his human appearance is merely a glamour barely hiding a monstrous mud creature within. But the scariest aspect about him is [[TautologicalTemplar his self-righteous crusader mindset]], which makes it [[BeyondRedemption impossible for him to be reasoned with]] as [[IRejectYourReality he will dismiss counterarguments as lies]] and [[CantTakeCriticism often tries to permanently silence his critics]]. His genocidal intent against the Boiling Isles, the BodyHorror and InescapableFateWorseThanDeath he inflicts upon himself and others, as well as his deceit and manipulations, against a population that knows no better and his genuine charisma that allows him to charm people who would otherwise see through his lies [[KnightOfCerebus are all played out without an iota of comedy or wackiness in them]].
* The [[EldritchLocation Boiling]] [[GiantCorpseWorld Isles]] in general are aesthetically spooky (complete with some lethally-HostileWeather), [[DarkIsNotEvil but otherwise surprisingly hospitable]] aside from Belos and [[CoDragons his followers]]. The same, however, can't be said for Luz's hometown of [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Gravesfield]], whose intolerant culture is the reason for her emotional issues and FriendlessBackground. "Thanks to Them" reveals the town was founded by [[EvilColonialist English puritans]] in the 17th century and Belos originates from there, making it (along with the Collector's siblings, the Archivists) the [[GreaterScopeVillain overarching antagonistic force]] of the series. Another reminder that sometimes, HumansAreTheRealMonsters.
* Camila Noceda's whole situation throughout the series is this as well as a TearJerker. Imagine being the single parent of an only child and being coerced into sending them to a correctional summer camp for simply being different, only for them to be [[TrappedInAnotherWorld marooned god-knows-where]] en route, impersonated in the interim with you none the wiser, and eventually come home [[BreakTheCutie a shadow of their former self]] with some equally-downtrodden friends in tow, all while a [[NighInvulnerability seemingly-invincible]] [[OmnicidalManiac madman]] [[ParanoiaFuel lurks just out of sight in the vicinity]]. Camila's appalled gasp when Luz and the Hexsquad show up looking as though they've been through a world war (the result of Belos [[CurbStompBattle handing them their asses]] in "King's Tide") explicitly says it all.

--> ''"Philip"'': "My journey to Eclipse Lake has been a success, and yet a tragic failure. The tunnels were filled with a substance known as Fool's Blood. It signifies a decaying vein. I was lucky to get out alive. My companions ''were not.''"
** With the reveal that Philip was killing any companions that he'd bring on his adventures to control the narrative of his journal, it's possible he intentionally buried them intentionally, or simply used the Fool's Blood as an excuse for why they didn't come back.

* Camila Noceda's whole situation throughout the series is this as well as a TearJerker. Imagine being the single parent of an only child and being coerced into sending them to a correctional summer camp for simply being different, only for them to be [[TrappedInAnotherWorld marooned god-knows-where]] en route, impersonated in the interim with you none the wiser, and eventually come home [[BreakTheCutie a shadow of their former self]] with some equally-downtrodden friends in tow, all while a [[NighInvulnerability seemingly-invincible]] [[OmnicidalManiac madman]] [[ParanoiaFuel lurks just out of sight in the vicinity]]. Camila's appalled gasp when Luz and the Hexsquad show up looking as though they've been through a meat grinder (the result of Belos [[CurbStompBattle handing them their asses]] in "King's Tide") explicitly says it all.

* Emperor Belos is one of the most terrifying villains in ''Disney'' TV shows ever depicted, and one who is rarely, if ever, PlayedForLaughs. He towers over everyone with such menace and [[Creator/MatthewRhys his voice]] sounds cold and lifeless. Among witches, [[WrongContextMagic he performs magic in a manner that shouldn't be possible]], and his human appearance is merely a glamour barely hiding a monstrous mud creature within. But the scariest aspect about him is [[TautologicalTemplar his self-righteous crusader mindset]], which makes it [[BeyondRedemption impossible for him to be reasoned with]] as [[IRejectYourReality he will dismiss counterarguments as lies]] and [[CantTakeCriticism often tries to permanently silence his critics]]. His genocidal intent against the Boiling Isles, the BodyHorror and InescapableFateWorseThanDeath he inflicts upon himself and others, as well as his deceit and manipulations against a population that knows no better, [[KnightOfCerebus are all played out without an iota of comedy or wackiness in them]].

* Emperor Belos is one of the most terrifying villains in ''Disney'' TV shows ever depicted, and a villain who is rarely, if ever, played for laughs. He towers over everyone with such menace and his voice sounds cold and lifeless. Among witches, [[WrongContextMagic he performs magic in a manner that shouldn't be possible]] and his human appearance is merely a glamour barely hiding a monstrous mud creature within. But the scariest aspect about him is [[TautologicalTemplar his self-righteous crusader mindset]], which makes it impossible for him to be reasoned with as [[IRejectYourReality he will dismiss counterarguments as lies]] and [[CantTakeCriticism often tries to permanently silence his critics]]. His genocidal intent against the Boiling Isles, the BodyHorror and InescapableFateWorseThanDeath he inflicts upon himself and others, as well as his deceit and manipulations against a population that knows no better, are all played out without an iota of comedy or wackiness in them.

--->'''Hunter:''' ''(angry)'' I'll say that again. ''(eyes glow blue)'' '''''[[VoiceOfTheLegion Get the rebus!]]'''''

** The entire fight scene that follows is made more terrifying by the fact that, while Belos has ''zero'' qualms about killing the Hexsquad, the Hexsquad is seriously pulling their punches to avoid hurting Hunter. Belos is well aware of this, and uses it to his advantage. Even in a severely weakened form, using a body that isn't his while its owner is actively fighting back, it's a CurbStompBattle.

* Emperor Belos is one of the most terrifying villains in ''Disney'' TV shows ever depicted, and a villain who is rarely, if ever, played for laughs. He towers over everyone with such menace and his voice sounds cold and lifeless. Among witches, [[WrongContextMagic he performs magic in a manner that shouldn't be possible]] and his human appearance is merely a glamour barely hiding a monstrous mud creature within. But the scariest aspect about him is [[TautologicalTemplar his self-righteous crusader mindset]], which makes it impossible for him to be reasoned with as [[IRejectYourReality he will dismiss counterarguments as lies]] and [[CantTakeCriticism often tries to permanently silence his critics]]. His genocidal intent against the Boiling Isles, the BodyHorror and AndIMustScream he inflicts upon himself and others, as well as his deceit and manipulations against a population that knows no better, are all played out without an iota of comedy or wackiness in them.

[[folder:Episode 11 - Senses and Insensitivity]]

** Not to mention when her head landed in Luz's hands, Eda's eyes rolled up and her tongue lolling out, like she has no life in her before regaining consciousness a moment later.

-->'''Luz:''' ''[[GutturalGrowler You]]'', [[TranquilFury you hurt Eda]], [[RageBreakingPoint you put her in chains]]. ''Now, [[IllKillYou I will take you down]]''.

---->'''Amity''': Don't you remember? This is all ''your'' doing. You helped Belos meet the Collector. Your actions lead to ''this''. You've been the '''REAL''' villain this whole time!

* When Alador expresses his doubts over Belos's intentions, Odalia decides she has to keep him in line. How does she do this? By ''threatening their children.'' It's clear that Odalia doesn't care in the ''slightest'' what happens to her family, only about their reputation.

** It's important to note exactly how the necklace works, communication being completely one-way and only audible to Amity. No one else has any idea what Odalia is saying to her daughter, who can only respond back verbally. Doing so would look like one half of a conversation to bystanders, Amity seeming irrationally angry in response to abuse Odalia could easily deny was happening.

* This episode greatly establishes that the Blights are enemies you do NOT want to make. Their control over the Hexside is like that of a syndicate running a ProtectionRacket, with the school and everyone in it (including Principal Bump) as collateral. They keep tabs over ''every'' student to ensure none of them can threaten them in any way. And if ''you'' find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time, they play ''hardball'' in their negotiations and blackmail. If you resist and don't do what they say, the results are implied to be so fatal you'd wish you were dead. Plus, Odalia has various connections, and Willow (especially after seeing a memory of Amity being blackmailed by her own parents) finds out the hard way they can and will make you suffer as long as they have leverage.

*** After Luz manages to chip a piece of Belos's mask off he [[JustForPun bellows]] the most unearthly growl imaginable before regaining his composure. Further raising the question as to ''what'' exactly he is. Then he warns her that if she tries that again, he ''will'' kill her.

* Emperor Belos is one of the most terrifying villains in ''Disney'' TV shows ever depicted, and a villain who is rarely, if ever, played for laughs. He towers over everyone with such menace and his voice sounds cold and lifeless. Among witches, he performs magic in a manner that shouldn't be possible and his human appearance is merely a glamour barely hiding a monstrous mud creature within. But the scariest aspect about him is his self-righteous crusader mindset, which makes it impossible for him to be reasoned with as he will dismiss counterarguments as lies and often tries to permanently silence his critics. His genocidal intent against the Boiling Isles, the BodyHorror and AndIMustScream he inflicts upon himself and others, as well as his deceit and manipulations against a population that knows no better, are all played out without an iota of comedy or wackiness in them.

* Emperor Belos is one of the most horrible villains in modern ''Disney'' history, if not ''the'' most horrible villain in a modern ''Disney'' cartoon. This is not that sort of villain who at least tries to be silly or comedic at times and stacks up very nicely with their most awful classic villains like [[WesternAnimation/{{Pinocchio}} The Coachman]] or [[WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDameDisney Frollo]]. At least [[WesternAnimation/GravityFalls Bill Cipher]] is funny as he plots mass death and destruction. There's nothing funny at all about Belos, and his genocidal intent against the Boiling Isles, the BodyHorror and AndIMustScream he inflicts upon himself and others, as well as his deceit and manipulations against a population that knows no better, are all played out without an iota of comedy or wackiness in them.

* Emperor Belos is one of the most horrible villains in modern ''Disney'' history, if not ''the'' most horrible villain in a modern ''Disney'' cartoon. This is not that sort of villain who at least tries to be silly or comedic at times and is just as awful as their classic villains like [[WesternAnimation/{{Pinocchio}} The Coachman]] or [[WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDameDisney Frollo]]. At least [[WesternAnimation/GravityFalls Bill Cipher]] is funny as he plots mass death and destruction. There's nothing funny at all about Belos, and his genocidal intent against the Boiling Isles, the BodyHorror and AndIMustScream he inflicts upon himself and others, as well as his deceit and manipulations against a population that knows no better, are all played out without an iota of comedy or wackiness in them.

* Emperor Belos is one of the most horrible villains in modern ''Disney'' history, if not ''the'' most horrible villain in a modern ''Disney'' cartoon. This is not that sort of villain who at least tries to be silly or comedic at times and is just as awful as their classic villains like [[WesternAnimation/{{Pinocchio}} The Coachman]] or [[WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDameDisney Frollo]]. At least [[WesternAnimation/GravityFalls Bill Cipher]] is funny as he plots mass death and destruction. There's nothing funny at all about Belos, and his genocidal intent against the Boiling Isles, the BodyHorror and AndIMustScream he inflicts upon himself and others, as well as his sheer manipulativeness and deceit exploting a population that knows no better, are all played out without an iota of comedy or wackiness in them.

* Emperor Belos is one of the most horrible villains in modern ''Disney'' history, if not ''the'' most horrible villain in a modern ''Disney'' cartoon. This is not that sort of villain who at least tries to be silly or comedic at times -- this is just as awful as their classic villains like [[WesternAnimation/{{Pinocchio}} The Coachman]] or [[WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDameDisney Frollo]]. At least [[WesternAnimation/GravityFalls Bill Cipher]] is funny as he plots mass death and destruction. There's nothing funny at all about Belos, and his genocidal intent against the Boiling Isles, the BodyHorror and AndIMustScream he inflicts upon himself and others, as well as his sheer manipulativeness and deceit exploting a population that knows no better, are all played out without an iota of comedy or wackiness in them.

* Emperor Belos is one of the, if not ''the'' most horrible villains in modern ''Disney'' history. This is not that sort of villain who at least tries to be silly or comedic at times -- this is just as awful as their classic villains like [[WesternAnimation/{{Pinocchio}} The Coachman]] or [[WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDameDisney Frollo]]. At least [[WesternAnimation/GravityFalls Bill Cipher]] is funny as he plots mass death and destruction. There's nothing funny at all about Belos, and his genocidal intent against the Boiling Isles, the BodyHorror and AndIMustScream he inflicts upon himself and others, as well as his sheer manipulativeness and deceit exploting a population that knows no better, are all played out without an iota of comedy or wackiness in them.

* Emperor Belos is one of the, if not ''the'' most horrible villains in modern ''Disney'' history. This is not that sort of villain who at least tries to be silly or comedic at times -- this is just as awful as their classic villains like [[WesternAnimation/{{Pinocchio}} The Coachman]] or [[WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDameDisney Frollo]]. At least [[WesternAnimation/GravityFalls Bill Cipher]] is funny as he plots mass death and destruction. There's nothing funny at all about Belos, and his genocidal intent against the Boiling Isles, the BodyHorror and AndIMustScream he inflicts upon himself and others, as well as his sheer manipulativeness and deceit exploting a population that knows no better, are all played for the serioueness they deserve.

* During Hooty's FreakOut in the climax, if it hadn't been for King's MakeMeWannaShout powers, Luz and Amity would have been crushed by a hunk of falling stone.