Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Co-Op and weapon kit promotional image from Treyarch and Raven Studios

    Sharing Gunsmith Builds in Black Ops 7 Is About To Get Much Easier

    08/19/2025
    EA Sports Madden NFL 26 Head Coach But Why Tho 5

    Dear EA Sports, Why Can’t I Make A Hot Coach?

    08/14/2025
    Blade in Marvel Rivals Season 3.5

    Blade Can Shut Down The Other Team In Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 If You Know How

    08/08/2025
    John Cena and Cody Rhodes during Summerslam 2025

    The SummerSlam 2025 Main Event Was A Fever Dream We All Needed

    08/08/2025
    Street Fighter 6 Sagat

    Sagat Brings Depth And Approachability To ‘Street Fighter 6’

    08/07/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » TV » REVIEW: ‘Two Sentence Horror Stories,’ Season 2 Episode 2 – “Elliot”

REVIEW: ‘Two Sentence Horror Stories,’ Season 2 Episode 2 – “Elliot”

Kate SánchezBy Kate Sánchez01/12/20213 Mins Read
'Two Sentence Horror Stories' Season 2 Episode 1 - "Bag Man"
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

'Two Sentence Horror Stories,' Season 2 Episode 2 - Elliot

Inspired by the viral fan fiction, Two Sentence Horror Stories is a critically-acclaimed psychological horror anthology series that features a different sub-genre of horror in each episode. Over the last season, and season two’s opening episode, it’s clear that the series, created by Vera Miao, exists to subvert classic horror tropes while also showcasing everything fans love about the genre. “Elliot,” the second episode of Two Sentence Horror Stories Season 2  is a story that centers a trans character while acknowledging the tropes that come with that have been traditionally assigned to that identity in media by cis creators.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

In “Elliot,” which is directed by Chase Joynt and written by Stephanie Adams-Santos, audiences follow a transmasculine student through daily school life. In a small town, Elliot is consistently bullied by other students for his identity, deadnamed, and tormented by faculty. As Elliot tries to hide from the school, he finds himself meeting a school janitor who offers him a way to take care of his bullies once and for all.

Initially, my fear with this episode was that we would again see the trauma of a trans person being used to push them to revenge or be the only thing we learn about the character. While the transphobia featured in the opening of the episode is viscerally upsetting, it becomes clear by the third act that Elliot is not defined by his pain. This is done explicitly by having him state this and finding the power in himself to save himself and others in his position. Too often, horror and other genres embrace the trope “bury your gays,” killing off gay and trans characters to benefit the others in the cast or using their pain as their only defining feature. In “Elliot” however, we get a story that actively pushes against this with our lead character exclaiming “I’m more than just my pain.”

Like most of the Two Sentence Horror Stories episodes, it’s hard to discuss the plot without spoiling the episode. That said, “Elliot” has moments that pay homage to films like Carrie before subverting them with its ending. While Carrie’s revenge was hurting those around her, Elliot’s revenge is his perseverance—in living as himself even in the face of his backward town. As the story unwinds, it’s clear that Elliot didn’t wish to cause others harm, but rather, just wanted to be safe, to be himself.

Additionally, the body horror used in this episode is well done, edited in quick flashes to show the bullies being punished in quick bursts. While it is nothing too graphic, it is terrifying thanks to the editing techniques and the use of sound design to make sure the audience hears the breaking of bones.

Overall, Two Sentence Horror Stories has stuck to its mission from season one, especially by not only telling diverse stories but by also making sure those behind the camera are representative of them. Elliot’s story becomes even more powerful given it’s directed by Joynt, a trans creator who has shared his transition story in You Only Live Twice, which he co-authored with Mike Hoolboom. As a whole, “Elliot” is a strong episode, bringing back an Are You Afraid of the Dark nostalgia. When paired with the first episode of the season, which aired immediately before “Elliot,” the series offers a poignant look at high school life, identity, and the terrors that stalk the halls: both monster and human.

Two Sentence Horror Stories Season 2 airs two episodes every Tuesday on the CW and on CWTV.com the day after broadcast for free.

Two Sentence Horror Stories Season 2 Episode 2 - "Elliot"
9/10

TL;DR

As a whole, “Elliot” is a strong episode, bringing back an Are You Afraid of the Dark nostalgia. When paired with the first episode of the season, which it aired immediately after, the series offers a poignent look at high school life, identity, and the terrors that stalk the halls, both monster and human.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleANNOUNCEMENT: Canto’s Clockwork Knight Returns
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Wonder Egg Priority,’ Episode 1 – “The Domain of Children”
Kate Sánchez
  • Website
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram

Kate Sánchez is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of But Why Tho? A Geek Community. There, she coordinates film, television, anime, and manga coverage. Kate is also a freelance journalist writing features on video games, anime, and film. Her focus as a critic is championing animation and international films and television series for inclusion in awards cycles. Find her on Bluesky @ohmymithrandir.bsky.social

Related Posts

Alien Earth Episode 1 and Episode 2 still from FX and Hulu
9.5

REVIEW: ‘Alien: Earth’ Episode 1-2 — “Neverland” and “Mr. October”

08/18/2025
Vanessa Kirby in Night Always Comes on Netflix But Why Tho
5.0

REVIEW: ‘Night Always Comes’ Lacks Purpose

08/16/2025
Foundation Season 3 Episode 6 promotional still
8.0

RECAP: ‘Foundation’ Season 3 Episode 6 — “The Shape of Time”

08/15/2025
Butterfly first look images from Prime Video
9.0

REVIEW: ‘Butterfly’ Continues Prime Video’s Spy Thriller Streak

08/13/2025
Trigger promotional image from Netflix
8.0

REVIEW: ‘Trigger’ Is Netflix’s Most Disturbing Series

08/08/2025
Foundation Season 3 Episode 5 promo image from AppleTV+
7.0

RECAP: ‘Foundation’ Season 3 Episode 5 — “Where Tyrants Spend Eternity”

08/08/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Still from Shin Godzilla
8.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘Shin Godzilla’ Is More Relevant Than Ever

By Sarah Musnicky08/16/2025Updated:08/17/2025

It is understandable how Shin Godzilla succeeded at the box office nearly a decade ago. The strength of its story still stands today.

Botanical Bliss Update Palia But Why Tho 5 News

Palia’s New Botanical Bliss Update Brings New Flora, Decorations, And Quest Mechanic

By Matt Donahue08/18/2025Updated:08/18/2025

The Botanical Bliss update adds new event, more plushes, and a host of quality-of-life improvements and more to celebrate 2 years of Palia.

BOOTS Netflix First Look promotional images News

First Look at Coming-of-Age Story BOOTS, Coming to Netflix This October

By But Why Tho?08/17/2025

Netflix is reporting for duty this fall with the new eight-episode series BOOTS, a comedic drama starring Miles Heizer and Vera Farmiga

Nuestra Magia Secret Lair Art Interviews

EXCLUSIVE: How The ‘Nuestra Magia’ Secret Lair Found Its Identity And Raised Over $1M

By Kate Sánchez08/15/2025Updated:08/15/2025

We spoke with Ovidio Cartagena about Magic: The Gathering’s Nuestra Magia Secret Lair drop, its impact, and the real treasure within.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here