This article contains spoilers for Evil.
A priest, a psychologist, and a scientist... It may sound like the start of a joke, but it’s the unstoppable trio at the heart of Michelle and Robert King's Evil. Originally debuting on CBS in 2019 before transitioning to Paramount+ for subsequent seasons, the show has delivered one of the most gripping horror thrillers of recent years. When the decision was made to cancel the series, the creators crafted an additional four episodes, ensuring that fans received the finale they deserved—and what a finale it was!
Season 4 proved just as absorbing, intense, and twisted as its predecessors. The creators didn’t ease off the gas; instead, they treated viewers to one of the best seasons yet, delivering justice not just to the lead characters but to the supporting ensemble as well. In just four episodes, we watched as the characters prepared to make life-altering decisions, all while the show served up its signature blend of supernatural horrors—think sleep paralysis, sleepwalking, and even glimpses of people from the future.
Much like previous seasons, season 4 featured themed episode titles. This time, the creators posed "how to" questions like "How to Split an Atom." However, the final four episodes took a darker turn with titles beginning with "Fear Of...," which perfectly encapsulated each episode's focus. Thus, we see Kristen (Katja Herbers) dealing with her mother's death, Leland's trial (Michael Emerson) and Andy's betrayal (Patrick Brammall), David (Mike Colter) with his parish closing, and Ben (Aasif Mandvi) dealing with his migraine problems. All the while, they must confront the Church's decision to end their possession assessment program.
Of the final episodes, the series finale, A Fear of The End, stands out as one of the best. In it, we revisit the ominous VR headset from earlier seasons as Kristen's daughters— Lexis (Maddy Crocco), Lynn (Brooklyn Shuck), Lila (Skylar Gray), and Laura (Dalya Knapp)—play a mysterious game meant to predict the future. Meanwhile, a foreboding countdown begins. As The Entity moves against The Sixty, it turns out to be a trap. David rushes to help while Kristen faces a final, deadly showdown with Leland, who attempts to murder her. The moment when David and Ben stop Kristen from killing Leland at the last second was slightly disappointing (we have to admit that!), but ultimately, Leland ends up trapped in a box by the Church—seemingly for eternity.
In the end, the show's decisions felt right—Ben sticking to his scientific skepticism, David remaining devoted to the Church while loving Kristen from afar. It was also a surprising, but interesting twist to see Kristen and her five children moving to Rome to work with the Church, leaving the door open for potential future seasons. Especially, as the main cast has expressed a strong desire on their social media platforms to continue, so let’s hope for more Evil down the road.
While we’ve been captivated by Herbers, Mandvi, and Colter, we can’t overlook the supporting cast who were crucial to Evil's success. Christine Lahti, as Sheryl, was phenomenal through and through, right up until her character's demise at Leland’s hands. It’s undeniable that the dynamic between Lahti and Emerson was a highlight throughout the show. The Bouchard girls also became endearing, integral parts of the narrative, adding freshness and some laughter to the story. Finally, Andrea Martin, known for Black Christmas, was outstanding as Sister Andrea and one of the most entertaining supporting characters in the series.
Over the years, Evil has not only given us a fascinating study of its characters—both central and supporting—but also sparked discussions on differing beliefs and how we handle them. Through four seasons, we've laughed, cried, and been utterly terrified by the demons showcased on the show. By contrasting Kristen and Ben's skepticism with David's deep spirituality, Evil offered a paranormal drama that explored human nature and mutual respect, while giving us some of the most horrifying stories. What more can one want?
You can stream the first three seasons of Evil on Netflix, while Season 4 is available on Paramount+.
Zofia resides in LA and is passionate about pop culture, television, and Stevie Nicks. She graduated from the University of Wroclaw, Poland with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Social Communication with Creative Writing. She is a staff writer for First Showing and contributing writer for Awards Watch, Nerdist, Film Inquiry, and more.
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