Particle.news
Download on the App Store
8 ARTICLES
·
6d ago

The Simpsons’ ‘Treehouse of Horror XXXVI’ Earns Early Praise for Gory Humor and Visual Experimentation

Critics cite bold aesthetics alongside boundary‑pushing violence as evidence of a renewed creative spark.

Image
THE SIMPSONS, The Simpsons, as The Addams Family, from left: Barney Gumble, as Uncle Fester, Bart Simpson, as Pugsley, Marge Simpson, as Morticia, Maggie Simpson, as Cousin Itt, Homer Simpson, as Gomez, Lisa Simpson, as Wednesday Addams, (1989-).
Image via FOX
Image via FOX

Overview

  • Season 37’s Halloween special aired October 19 on FOX with three standalone parodies anchored in Jaws and The Blob, Late Night with the Devil, and a Waterworld-style dystopia.
  • Early reactions from reviewers and fans describe the installment as one of the bloodiest in recent years, with several noting genuinely scary moments.
  • The Krusty-themed found‑footage segment is widely called the standout, replicating retro formats and mixing black‑and‑white with color to mirror its source.
  • Visual ambition drew praise across the special, including mixed media that uses real plastic and photoreal 3D elements in the post‑apocalyptic finale.
  • Guest stars include Idris Elba as the Devil, Michael Keaton, Viola Davis, and Ike Barinholtz, contributing to a star‑studded episode many viewers deemed stronger than last year’s.