Creepshow season 4, episode 4 recap: “Meet the Belaskos” and “Cheat Code”

Shudder/AMC’s Creepshow season 4 continues to deliver spine-chilling tales in its fourth episode, introducing viewers to the mysterious Belasko family and unraveling the eerie narrative of “Cheat Code.” In this recap, we’ll delve into the dark and fantastical worlds of these two distinct stories, exploring the supernatural and the bizarrely perilous consequences of manipulating a video game.

Creepshow season 4, episode 4 recap: Meet the Belaskos

The Creepshow episode kicks off with a scene straight out of a horror classic: a female vampire meeting her demise with a stake through the heart. Meanwhile, others in a cage plead for mercy from the vampire killer.

This ends up revealed as a dream sequence, but it sets the stage for the arrival of the Belasko family in the town of Mapleton. Doug Roach (Donavon Stinson), a resident of Mapleton, has such unsettling vampire dreams, setting an ominous tone for what lies ahead.

The new neighbors, Chuck Belasko (Brendan Taylor), and his family, bring an air of mystery. Chuck is a vampire-American, vulnerable to sunlight, which would result in a “miasma of putrid decay.”

The family includes Helena (Lisa Durupt), Chuck’s wife, and Anastasia (Karis Cameron), their daughter — revealed to also be a vampire.

Creepshow season 4, episode 4 recap: Keeping up with the vampires

Doug’s discomfort with his supernatural neighbors becomes evident as he replaces his welcome sign with a cross and wreath of garlic. Tensions rise when Anastasia, the Belaskos’ daughter, expresses a desire to go to the 24-hour gym, however her parents say no, fearing regular human neighbors (such as Doug).

Then we see amusing moments with the Belasko family, such as them having a swearing jar (prudish vampires) and then, at night, unconventional breakfast choices (bloody pancakes, anyone?). As Doug’s son, Alex (Matthew Nelson-Mahood) develops a relationship with Anastasia, he learns about the family’s history, and how they are not a threat to humans, and a forbidden romance unfolds.

However, dark secrets come to light when Alex’s father reveals a tragic connection to vampires, setting the stage for a climactic confrontation. The episode explores themes of fear, prejudice, and the consequences of intolerance, with a poignant and unexpected resolution.

One message is that Doug assumes all vampires “must be like that,” rather than seeing them as individuals.

Creepshow season 4, episode 4 recap: Cheat Code

The second Creepshow story, “Cheat Code,” introduces us to a gamer father, Jeff (Lochlyn Munro), eager to bond with his son over a game called, “Weird Wednesday.” Dave (Connor Wong), the son, grudgingly accepts the game, and both he and his dad have a great time with it.

Soon Dave plays the game with friends Reina (Hanna Huffman) and Spencer (Nikolas Filipovic), aiming to achieve the elusive high score. The narrative takes a sinister turn when Reina obtains a copy of the game with a mysterious cheat code, which Spencer borrows from Reina (after successfully pestering her).

Spencer’s eventual disappearance and the emergence of a character resembling him in the game lead to a series of bizarre and horrifying revelations. Dave and Reina embark on a quest to retrieve her borrowed console, encountering unsettling scenes, including an ice cream truck adorned with intestines.

Creepshow season 4, episode 4 recap: Battling a telepathic alien can be a real father-son moment

The tension escalates as Dave, armed with the cheat code, faces perilous challenges after the code transforms him into a character, whose actions in reality are tethered to how he’s played in the game. His very existence is at stake as he navigates deadly obstacles, controlled by whomever is controlling him.

The story takes a surreal turn when Reina confronts Jeff about the truth, revealing the dire consequences for Dave if they fail to succeed in the game. As the stakes rise, a two-player mode unfolds, with the trio somehow facing off against a telepathic alien.

The resolution involves a red button on a spaceship, eradicating the alien menace and restoring a semblance of normalcy. The episode concludes with a burial of the ominous game and a surprising agreement from Jeff to let Dave take his driver’s test.

Conclusion

Creepshow season 4, episode 4, delivers a double dose of horror with the mysterious Belasko family and the perilous consequences of a supernatural video game. As viewers navigate through these chilling tales, they are treated to a rollercoaster of suspense, fear, and unexpected twists that characterize the essence of the Creepshow series.

Well, that is if viewers enjoy the stories, of course. Personally, I think the Belasko story is the strongest of these two and is probably one of the strongest Creepshow TV stories thus far.

What did you think of Creepshow season 4 episode 4? Let us know in the comments below.

You can watch Creepshow season 4 on AMC.