Top 7 Horror Episodes of Star Trek: Voyager That Will Give You Nightmares

Summary

Star Trek: Voyager uses horror to create unsettling episodes that cover psychological, body, dark fantasy, and paranormal themes.
Episodes like “The Thaw” and “The Haunting of Deck 12” showcase psychological and supernatural horror elements that terrify the crew.
The show features horror stories like “Revulsion” and “One” that explore the darker side of AI, isolation, and psychological struggles.

Approximately thirty years ago, the USS Voyager and its pursuer, the Val Jean, mysteriously found themselves in the Delta Quadrant. As the two-episode premiere “Caretaker” concluded, it became clear that both vessels were stranded, far from Federation territory by countless light-years. This fundamental scenario sets the stage for a sense of dread and isolation throughout the series.

In my critique, I’d express it like this: “The subsequent episodes of this series maintain the same eerie atmosphere established in the pilot. The horror genre on ‘Star Trek: Voyager’ spans a broad spectrum, encompassing psychological terrors, physical horrors, dark fantasies, and supernatural entities.

7. The Thaw

A Clown Of Fear

Number: Season 2, Episode 23
Air Date: April 29, 1996
Starring: Kate Mulgrew, Robert Picardo, Michael McKean

The Thaw” is frequently praised as an outstanding representation of psychological horror within the Star Trek: Voyager series, and it’s also known as one of the most unnerving episodes across the entire franchise. The title alludes to an ecological catastrophe that led the aliens to develop a virtual reality from their dreams and desires. By the time Voyager encountered them, they were stuck in a virtual horror scenario fueled by their fears and capable of causing death.

As a cinephile, I must say there’s one character who remains unaffected by all this: the holographic doctor. This fellow is instrumental in finding the solution to prevent our Voyager crew from being imprisoned eternally by that chilling machine with a face like a terrifying circus clown.

6. The Haunting Of Deck 12

Even Space Has Blackouts

Number: Season 6, Episode 25
Air Date: May 17, 2000
Starring: Ethan Phillips, Kate Mulgrew, Manu Intiraymi

In “The Haunting of Deck 12,” the chilling atmosphere of a spine-tingling tale shared around a fire is recreated for another occasion. Instead of an unexpected event like a campfire story, it’s a scheduled power failure that results from Voyager passing through a nebula, inadvertently waking up the Borg youngsters during their regeneration cycle. To keep them entertained until the power returns, Neelix conjures up a captivating story.

As a film enthusiast, I find myself questioning the veracity of Neelix’s harrowing tale. He speaks of an ominous entity that manipulates its formless self to seize control of our spaceship. It leaves me wondering if it’s an accurate account or merely a tall tale spun to soothe the frightened young ones on board. Yet, as he concludes with a sigh of relief and wishes “it” – whatever ‘it’ was – a contented existence forevermore, I can’t help but feel that what we faced may have been all too real.

5. Revulsion

The Purity Of The Machine

Number: Season 4, Episode 5
Air Date: October 1, 1997
Starring: Roxann Dawson, Robert Duncan McNeill, Robert Picardo

In my perspective as a movie reviewer, let me tell you this chilling tale of a hologram that veers disastrously from its intended benevolent course. The story unfolds with a desperate call for aid from a stranded spaceship, the sole survivor being a holographic entity named Dejaren. When the Doctor and Torres respond to the plea, they quickly realize that all is not as it appears on the surface.

The title hints at the emotional bond Dejaren, a holographic entity, forms with his biological team members, which he later reveals to the Doctor. This confession coincides with Torres’ discovery that their crewmates weren’t killed by a virus, but were murdered. They narrowly avoid danger, partly due to Torres’ half-Klingon physiology, which features an additional ventricle in her heart. She uses this knowledge to protect Dejaren, as she knows powerful electrical surges could disrupt holograms like him.

4. Waking Moments

A Tale Of Nightmares

Number: Season 4, Episode 13
Air Date: January 14, 1998
Starring: Mark Colson, Garrett Wang, Kate Mulgrew

As a movie aficionado, I must say that this film will resonate with many, as its chilling narrative echoes the terrors that lurk within our dreams. The nightmare of sleep, inevitably confronted by each of us, is the true horror that lies in wait.

The story unfolds on a ship’s bridge where officers share their unsettling dream experiences. However, the tension escalates when Ensign Harry Kim finds himself trapped within the realm of his own dreams, unable to regain consciousness. This intriguing premise sets the stage for a suspenseful journey that delves deep into the subconscious mind and its mysterious workings.

To an alien civilization seeking contact with the Voyager crew, our sleep state is equivalent to their waking life. Only Chakotay possesses the ability to intervene using lucid dreaming techniques. This sets the stage for a thrilling, high-stakes adventure, with only the holographic doctor available to assist him in this endeavor.

3. Barge Of The Dead

The Klingon Afterlife

Number: Season 6, Episode 3
Air Date: October 6, 1999
Starring: Roxann Dawson, Eric Pierpoint, Karen Austin, Sherman Augustus

Exploring the occult is often captivating for horror stories, particularly when it involves depictions of human concepts like heaven and hell. In this particular episode, we venture into the Klingon conception of the afterlife. Character Torres undergoes a near-death situation where she encounters a vision of her mother on the renowned Barge of the Dead. Her mother alleges that she’s been condemned to the Klingon equivalent of hell, as Torres refuses to embrace her Klingon heritage.

As I find myself revived post-incident, my unwavering determination propels me back to the Barge, this time in an artificially induced coma. The journey that ensues is a macabre yet captivating odyssey through the layers of Klingon afterlife. This particular episode serves less as a terrifying spectacle and more as a profound exploration of my Klingon heritage, though the eerie visions experienced by the crew remain disquieting to say the least.

2. One

The Solitude Of Seven

Number: Season 4, Episode 25
Air Date: May 13, 1998
Starring: Jeri Ryan, Ron Ostrow, Wade Williams

In a typical scenario, Seven of Nine exhibits a cold and impassive demeanor, one that could leave a Vulcan awestruck. However, her display of vulnerability in “One” adds an extra layer of terror. With the crew needing to traverse a radioactive cloud by entering prolonged hibernation, only the Doctor and Seven of Nine are able to keep working and ensure the ship’s functionality.

For a time, everything seems fine for Seven, but eventually, the weight of solitude begins to affect her, despite the doctor’s attempts to keep her mind occupied. However, his device malfunctions due to radiation exposure, leaving Seven to confront her inner struggles, which encompass haunting visions of the Borg, various alien species, and catastrophic computer glitches.

1. Meld

Tuvak Sees A Distubed Mind

Number: Season 2, Episode 16
Air Date: February 5, 1996
Starring: Tim Russ, Brad Dourif, Angela Dohrmann

In the Star Trek universe, it’s well-known that Vulcan Mind Melds can pose risks. Now, picture this: what if a meld is performed on the mind of a ruthless murderer? Tuvak attempts to soothe the turbulent spirit of ex-Maquis crewman Lon Suder. Despite his efforts, Tuvak manages to pacify Suder, but in doing so, he transfers some of that psychotic rage onto himself, taking on Suder’s inner peace instead.

In a relatable manner for those familiar with mental health struggles, Tuvok’s internal battles are strikingly authentic. The loss of control that overtakes one of Star Trek: Voyager’s most emotionally resilient characters is particularly unsettling. Interestingly, it’s the character of Suder who ultimately helps Tuvok, marking a turning point in the Betazoid’s character development and offering redemption to this troubled individual.

2025-05-29 14:37