If you’re in the mood for a lighthearted, horror-themed hidden-camera prank show with a touch of supernatural flair, then Netflix’s “Prank Encounters” is a quick and entertaining watch. Hosted by Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo, this series puts unsuspecting individuals into elaborately staged, terrifying scenarios for comedic effect.
What is “Prank Encounters” about?
“Prank Encounters” is a hidden-camera prank show where each episode features two unsuspecting strangers. They are led to believe they are starting a temporary job, such as a graveyard shift, a museum assistant, a lab technician, or a babysitting gig. However, these “jobs” quickly devolve into a full-blown, horror-movie-like nightmare.
Under the guidance of host Gaten Matarazzo, who directs the actors and orchestrates the scares from a control room, the participants are subjected to a series of increasingly bizarre and frightening events. These often involve:
- Supernatural elements: Creepy dolls coming to life, monsters, aliens, ancient curses, and possessed individuals.
- Creepy environments: Abandoned summer camps, haunted mansions, secret government labs, or eerie graveyards.
- Horror tropes: Jump scares, unsettling sounds, strange disappearances, and moments of intense confusion.
The “victims” of the prank, who are initially strangers to each other, are thrust into these chaotic situations, often having to rely on each other to figure out what’s happening. The humor comes from their genuine reactions to the escalating horror and the eventual reveal that it was all a staged prank. The show aims for a balance between genuine scares and the comedic relief of the reveal, ensuring the participants eventually realize they’ve been on a hidden-camera show and are compensated for their time.
The series consists of two seasons, with various standalone episodes featuring different themed pranks.
Why “Prank Encounters” is a compelling watch:
- Gaten Matarazzo’s Hosting: Fans of Stranger Things will enjoy Matarazzo’s charismatic and enthusiastic hosting, as he guides viewers through each prank and reacts to the participants’ fright.
- Creative Prank Scenarios: The show goes beyond simple jump scares, building elaborate sets and storylines for each prank that feel like mini-horror movies.
- Genuine Reactions: The unscripted reactions of the pranked individuals are often the highlight, providing both comedic and surprisingly intense moments.
- Lighthearted Horror: It’s a fun way to get a dose of horror without the commitment of a full-fledged scary movie, as the fear is always followed by the lighthearted reveal.
- Quick and Bingeable: With relatively short episodes and standalone stories, it’s easy to watch multiple pranks in one sitting.
Where to Watch “Prank Encounters”:
“Prank Encounters” is a Netflix Original series. Both seasons are exclusively available to stream on:
- Netflix
If you enjoyed “Prank Encounters,” you might also like:
- Scare Package (Film, Shudder): An anthology horror-comedy film that plays with horror tropes, often in a self-aware and humorous way.
- Fright Krewe (Hulu/Peacock): An animated series that mixes horror and comedy, with a group of friends encountering supernatural phenomena.
- Impractical Jokers (Max/TruTV): If you enjoy hidden-camera prank shows that focus purely on comedic situations and public embarrassment, though without the horror element.
- The Eric Andre Show (Hulu/Adult Swim): For a more surreal, chaotic, and often uncomfortable hidden-camera prank show that pushes boundaries.
- Ghost Adventures (Discovery+/Max): If you like exploring eerie, supposedly haunted locations, but prefer a reality show format with genuine investigations rather than staged pranks.