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Prank Encounters
Prank Encounters
from Wikipedia

Prank Encounters
GenreCandid camera
Written by
  • Doug Perkins
  • David Storrs
Directed byAnthony Gonzales
Presented byGaten Matarazzo
Voices ofPeter Giles
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes15
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Hilary Frimond
  • Tony Poon
EditorsAkın Özçelik
  • Adam Varney
  • Ryan Wise
  • Matt Silfen
Running time19–27 minutes
Production companyPropagate
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseOctober 25, 2019 (2019-10-25) –
April 1, 2021 (2021-04-01)

Prank Encounters is an American horror-themed comedy candid camera television series. It is a prank show recorded with hidden cameras. Each episode pairs two members of the public, strangers to one another, who are unwittingly introduced to each other by show actors, under the ruse of a tryout for a new job. Subsequently, a sequence of scares orchestrated by Gaten Matarazzo occur in order to scare the participants for comedic value, with Matarazzo adapting the prank via headsets fed to the actors on the fly.[1][2]

The first 8-episode season debuted on October 25, 2019, on the streaming service Netflix.[3] A second season was released on April 1, 2021, and consisted of 7 episodes.[4]

Cast

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Episodes

[edit]
Series overview
SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
18October 25, 2019 (2019-10-25)
27April 1, 2021 (2021-04-01)

Season 1 (2019)

[edit]
No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal release date
11"Teddy Scareee!"October 25, 2019 (2019-10-25)
One worker has a babysitting gig, while another stops by to collect toys for charity. But a certain evil teddy bear doesn't want to be collected.
22"End of the Road"October 25, 2019 (2019-10-25)
Temps hired to investigate frequent accidents on an isolated stretch of road find themselves in an angry mama monster’s unhappy hunting ground.
33"Face Fears"October 25, 2019 (2019-10-25)
One temp assists a patient in post-op recovery as another helps a sleuth find a missing woman. Cue a shocking reveal and an emergency call to nowhere.
44"Urgent Scare"October 25, 2019 (2019-10-25)
When an ailing ex-astronaut checks into a night clinic, two women find themselves locked in a cosmic battle with a gruesome souvenir from space.
55"Camp Scarecrow"October 25, 2019 (2019-10-25)
Two unsuspecting strangers try to rebrand a shuttered summer camp. But a crazed custodian and a homicidal scarecrow crash their brainstorming session.
66"Storage War of the Worlds"October 25, 2019 (2019-10-25)
An electrical outage in a top-secret government warehouse triggers a shutdown and releases a hostile alien on the terrified staff. Don't zap him!
77"Fright at the Museum"October 25, 2019 (2019-10-25)
An Egyptian sarcophagus arrives at the Gaten Museum. When an assistant decodes its hieroglyphics, an ancient curse activates -- and yikes, snakes!
88"Split Party"October 25, 2019 (2019-10-25)
Gaten and his hired hands attend a young fan’s birthday party. But the good times go south when the host serves up his killer cake.

Season 2 (2021)

[edit]

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, this series was recorded with limited social distancing and was filmed during late 2020 and early 2021. The participants and actors were tested for COVID-19 before recording. The series was released on April Fool's Day, in respect of the show's theme of pranking.

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal release date
91"These Walls Can Talk"April 1, 2021 (2021-04-01)
Two unsuspecting women contend with creepy residents — both "passed" and present — while preparing a massive mansion to be sold.
102"Missing Missing Link"April 1, 2021 (2021-04-01)
Good thing this dangerous prehistoric entity is kept securely frozen in cold storage. If it were to thaw, well, that would be bad. And cue the heat!
113"Spider Mansion"April 1, 2021 (2021-04-01)
While working at a seemingly infested home, an exterminator's helper and a personal assistant develop a completely understandable fear of spiders.
124"Mind Field"April 1, 2021 (2021-04-01)
Did this inventor really create a device that can read people's minds? Of course not, but don't tell these wide-eyed believers.
135"Mist Demeanor"April 1, 2021 (2021-04-01)
A produce sorter and a PR assistant try to stay calm and survive what they think is a deadly fog from another dimension.
146"Re-Face Fears"April 1, 2021 (2021-04-01)
In this continuation of a Season 1 episode, an insane surgeon is on the loose as two weary temps watch with dread.
157"Graveyard Shift"April 1, 2021 (2021-04-01)
A dark and ominous night. An ancient burial ground. Rumors of mysterious beings. Yep, sounds like the perfect setup for a ghoulish prank.

Release

[edit]

Prank Encounters was released on October 25, 2019, on Netflix streaming.[1]

Reception

[edit]

The show has received negative reviews. Some viewers of the show have accused the reactions to the pranks of being entirely staged.[5][6]

The Daily Dot had unfavorably compared the series to Punk'd and criticized the reactions, stating "Netflix's Prank Encounters is a riff on Punk'd, but it doesn't do anything to set itself apart. [...] The reactions from the people getting pranked (who are not supposed to be actors) are so formal and stiff that it feels like watching bad improv."[7]

Controversy

[edit]

When the series was announced in June 2019, there was controversy regarding the premise of the show being disrespectful towards people in search of employment. A spokesperson for Netflix stated that individuals involved were financially compensated for their time and had fun being in the show.[8] When the series launched later in October, the executive producer of the show, Kevin Healey, reassured to Entertainment Weekly that individuals pranked were aware the job they took was only for one night, and that they were indeed paid afterward.[9] Matarazzo also responded to the initial controversy when the show was announced on his Instagram account. Matarazzo stated, "Thank you guys for your concern for these people. It means so much to me and the rest of the producers of the show. We hope you enjoy the show, and we are very excited to show you all what we've created [...]."[10]

In March 2020, it was reported that Healey's former co-executive producer, Scott Hallock, sued him for creating a show that was similar to their series, Scare Tactics.[11]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Prank Encounters is an American hidden-camera prank television series that combines elements of and horror, featuring elaborate setups where unsuspecting participants experience terrifying scenarios before a humorous reveal. The show premiered on on October 25, 2019, and ran for two seasons until 2021, with each episode typically involving two strangers lured into temporary jobs that quickly escalate into full-blown horror movie-like nightmares. Hosted by actor , known for his role in , the series emphasizes monstrous frights and comedic resolutions through hidden cameras capturing real reactions. The format of Prank Encounters revolves around pairing participants for seemingly routine gigs, such as or event staffing, only to immerse them in or monstrous encounters designed to evoke genuine fear. Episodes often draw inspiration from classic horror tropes, including haunted locations and eerie , with production involving detailed scripting and to maintain the illusion. The show's second season, released on April 1, 2021, continued this approach with heightened production values and more intricate pranks, maintaining its focus on the contrast between terror and . Critically, it received mixed reviews for its entertainment value, with some praising the creativity of the setups while others noted the ethical questions surrounding the intensity of the scares on real people. Overall, Prank Encounters stands out in the prank genre for its horror integration, appealing to fans of both and lighthearted .

Premise and Format

Concept

Prank Encounters is an American hidden-camera prank series blending and horror, where unsuspecting real people are drawn into elaborate setups under the guise of beginning new jobs. Each episode features two complete strangers who believe they are starting their first day at a part-time position, only for their paths to collide in orchestrated, terror-filled scenarios designed to mimic full-blown horror movies. The format relies on to document authentic reactions as participants encounter escalating frights tied to their supposed work environments, such as supernatural disturbances or monstrous entities in settings like abandoned warehouses or eerie offices. These horror-themed pranks build tension through job-related tasks that devolve into chaos, emphasizing monstrous encounters and ghostly events to heighten the scares. At the climax of each episode, host Gaten Matarazzo appears to reveal the prank, explaining the setup and reassuring participants, who are compensated for their involvement. Episodes run 19–27 minutes, allowing for concise narratives that focus on the buildup and payoff of the central gag.

Episode Structure

Each episode of Prank Encounters follows a standardized format designed to immerse two unsuspecting participants—typically strangers to one another—in a simulated scenario that gradually escalates into a horror-themed prank. The structure begins with an introduction narrated by host from a control truck or similar off-site location, where he outlines the impending setup in a mysterious tone to build anticipation for viewers while keeping participants in the dark. Participants are recruited under the pretense of a one-day, opportunity, such as assisting in a or office environment, which allows the production team to place them in isolated or eerie locations like mansions or warehouses. Actors posing as employers, coworkers, or authority figures initially guide the participants through routine tasks, fostering a sense of normalcy and immersion; for instance, they might issue instructions related to , caregiving, or management to draw the individuals deeper into the ruse. As the episode progresses, these interactions escalate through layered pranks involving practical effects, , and staged anomalies—such as unexplained noises, apparitions, or disturbances—to heighten tension and provoke genuine reactions. The climax arrives with a dramatic horror reveal, where the accumulated scares culminate in a major confrontation, such as a simulated creature encounter or catastrophic event, pushing the participants to their emotional limits within the 20- to 25-minute runtime. Following this peak, Matarazzo appears in person to disclose the prank's artificial nature, transitioning to a debrief phase that captures the participants' immediate reactions, often a mix of relief, laughter, and surprise. This segment emphasizes ethical considerations, with all individuals providing post-prank for their footage to be used and receiving compensation as paid actors for a short-term gig, ensuring no one leaves without fair remuneration for their time and experience. Episodes conclude with humorous recaps featuring Matarazzo's commentary on the prank's execution and the participants' responses, highlighting successful elements like timing and by the actors to maintain the horror movie-like immersion without delving into specific outcomes. This wrap-up reinforces the show's blend of fright and , underscoring the collaborative role of actors in sustaining believability throughout the deception.

Production

Development and Creation

Prank Encounters was announced on June 14, 2019, as a original hidden-camera prank series, with attached as host and executive producer from the project's inception. The show was greenlit for an initial eight-episode first season, set to premiere later that year. Created by Propagate Content, the series drew from the tradition of classic hidden-camera prank shows while incorporating horror-themed twists to create full-blown horror movie scenarios for participants. It was pitched as targeting job-seeking adults, pairing two strangers who believe they are starting new jobs only to encounter elaborate, surprise pranks along the way. Production began in 2019 under the leadership of executive producers , Howard T. Owens, and Kevin Healey from Propagate, with no additional seasons planned or announced at the time of launch.

Filming and Challenges

The production of Prank Encounters employs to document authentic reactions from unsuspecting participants, who are lured into controlled environments resembling legitimate job sites, such as warehouses or homes for odd jobs. Participants are informed upfront that they may be filmed for promotional purposes, which helps maintain the setup without immediate suspicion. These staged scenarios allow for elaborate horror-themed pranks to unfold naturally, blending everyday tasks with twists. To capture the full scope of events, the crew utilizes multiple camera setups, including fixed and handheld shots, ensuring comprehensive coverage of interactions between marks and without compromising the illusion. The series produced a total of 15 episodes across two seasons, with Season 1 featuring 8 episodes and Season 2 consisting of 7; each runs 20–25 minutes, necessitating tightly scripted pranks that build tension efficiently within the constrained runtime. Filming presents several logistical challenges, including the recruitment of skilled to portray convincing roles in the horror setups, as their performances directly impact the prank's believability. Ensuring participant safety amid intense scares is paramount, with the production team expressing ongoing nervousness about marks potentially having extreme reactions, such as "flying off the handle or freaking out." Pranks occasionally fail due to early reveals or spotted crew members, leading to anticlimactic breakdowns where the setup crumbles, requiring resets or abandonment. Editing poses additional hurdles, as the team must maintain pacing and without prematurely exposing hidden elements, often condensing nearly three hours of per into a streamlined narrative. Redoing sequences for new participants can be particularly frustrating, highlighting the high-stakes nature of live prank execution. Practical effects for horror components, like or makeup, further complicate on-set coordination to preserve authenticity.

Personnel

Host

Gaten Matarazzo serves as the host and executive producer of Prank Encounters, a role he took on following his breakout performance as Dustin Henderson in Netflix's Stranger Things. In the series, Matarazzo announces the pranks, provides voiceover narration throughout episodes to guide the action and offer asides, and appears in wrap-up segments to reveal the setups to participants, often interacting with them directly from a control room or on-site when feasible. His contributions began with the project's announcement in June 2019, where he was actively involved in its development alongside producers. At 16 years old during the announcement and initial production of Season 1, Matarazzo brought a youthful perspective to the show's horror-comedy blend, infusing the reveals with an energetic and relatable enthusiasm that complemented the pranks. His credit, shared briefly with key team members like and Howard T. Owens, underscores his creative input from inception. Matarazzo's hosting role remained consistent across both seasons, with no significant alterations to his on-air duties despite increased production complexity in Season 2, such as more elaborate effects and scenarios.

Key Production Team

The production of Prank Encounters was spearheaded by Propagate Content, with Kevin Healey serving as a key responsible for overseeing the series' development and execution. Gaten , the show's host, also contributed as an additional , bringing his involvement to both on-screen and aspects. Other executive producers from Propagate included and T. Owens, who played pivotal roles in shaping the prank show's format and production strategy. The writing duties were handled by and David Storrs, who crafted the scripted prank scenarios, dialogue, and narrative elements to ensure the hidden-camera setups delivered surprise and humor within a horror-themed framework. Perkins contributed to nine episodes, while Storrs was involved in all 15 across both seasons, often appearing on-screen as part of the pranks. Their scripts emphasized escalating tension and reveal moments tailored to unsuspecting participants. Anthony Gonzales directed the majority of the episodes, leveraging his experience in reality and unscripted formats to capture authentic reactions through . Producers Hilary Frimond and Tony Poon managed on-set logistics and coordination, with Frimond handling eight Season 1 installments and Poon serving as associate producer throughout the series. The entire operation was produced by Propagate Content exclusively for , ensuring seamless integration of the show's hidden-camera style with streaming distribution.

Episodes

Season 1 (2019)

Season 1 of Prank Encounters premiered on on , , with all eight episodes released simultaneously, allowing viewers to binge the entire season without mid-season breaks. This inaugural season introduced the series' core format, pairing unsuspecting participants who believe they are starting new jobs, only for their paths to intersect in increasingly bizarre scenarios. Hosted by , the episodes each run approximately 20-25 minutes, blending hidden-camera pranks with horror-themed setups to establish the show's unique tone. The season features the following episodes:
EpisodeTitleAir DateSummary
1Teddy ScareOctober 25, 2019One participant is hired as a babysitter for children, while another collects toys for a charity drive.
2End of the RoadOctober 25, 2019Two temporary workers are assigned to investigate frequent accidents on an isolated stretch of road.
3Face FearsOctober 25, 2019A takes on a case, while a assistant is hired to look after a recovering from .
4Urgent ScareOctober 25, 2019A travel assistant and a doctor's aide begin their roles supporting a decorated .
5Camp ScarecrowOctober 25, 2019Two camp leaders are brought in to rebrand and manage a shuttered .
6Storage War of the WorldsOctober 25, 2019Participants are employed at a described as a top-secret storage facility.
7Fright at the MuseumOctober 25, 2019A and a worker are hired to prepare a new Egyptian exhibit at a .
8Split PartyOctober 25, 2019A and a party planner are tasked with organizing a young girl's celebration.

Season 2 (2021)

The second season of Prank Encounters premiered on on April 1, 2021, with all seven episodes released simultaneously. This installment featured elaborate pranks centered on and horror-themed scenarios, maintaining the show's format of deceiving participants during supposed new job orientations. Filming took place during the , incorporating production adaptations such as limited social interactions to ensure safety. The season's episodes include:
  • These Walls Can Talk: Two participants encounter creepy residents from the past and present while preparing a massive to be sold.
  • Missing Missing Link: A participant deals with a dangerous prehistoric entity kept securely frozen in cold storage that begins to thaw due to heat.
  • Spider Mansion: An exterminator's helper and a face a massive infestation in a .
  • Mind Field: Inventors test a mind-reading on eager volunteers, leading to psychological manipulations.
  • Mist Demeanor: A produce inspector and specialist confront a mysterious, deadly invading a warehouse.
  • Re-Face Fears: Temporary office workers experience a scenario involving a deranged and facial horror.
  • Graveyard Shift: Night shift workers at a historical site uncover ancient burial ground terrors under cover of darkness.
Comprising seven episodes compared to the first season's eight, this season concluded the series, with no additional seasons produced as of November 2025.

Release

Premiere and Distribution

Prank Encounters premiered exclusively on with its first season on October 25, 2019, releasing all eight episodes simultaneously as a full-season drop, a standard practice for the streaming platform's original content. The series was produced as a original, ensuring worldwide availability from launch without any traditional television broadcast. The second season followed on , 2021, again dropping all seven episodes at once for viewing. Distribution remained streaming-only through , with audio dubs in English, Spanish (Latin America), French, German, and Italian, and subtitles in additional languages including Chinese (Simplified) and Chinese (Traditional), to support international audiences. Rated TV-MA for mature content involving horror elements and , the show targeted adult viewers globally from day one. As of 2025, no releases such as DVDs or Blu-rays have been issued, nor has the series entered syndication on other platforms or networks, maintaining its exclusive status on .

Marketing

announced Prank Encounters on June 14, 2019, through an official detailing the series as an eight-episode hidden-camera prank show hosted and executive produced by , emphasizing its blend of scares and humorous reveals to attract viewers seeking lighthearted horror entertainment. The reveal occurred amid Netflix's broader content slate announcements at industry events, positioning the show as a timely addition to their unscripted programming lineup. For the second season, tied the rollout to April Fool's Day, with the premiere scheduled for April 1, 2021, leveraging the holiday's prankster theme to heighten thematic relevance and buzz around the intensified horror elements. Promotional trailers played a central role in building anticipation. The official trailer for the first season, released on October 10, 2019, showcased Matarazzo introducing the pranks while highlighting the horror-movie-style setups involving unsuspecting participants in job scenarios turned nightmarish, such as ghostly encounters and monstrous surprises. For season two, a trailer dropped on March 4, 2021, focusing on escalated scares like haunted mansions, giant spiders, zombies, and ancient burial sites, with Matarazzo's narration underscoring the "terrifying and hilarious" evolution of the format to draw in returning fans. Social media efforts amplified the trailers across platforms, with Netflix posting teasers on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter that featured Matarazzo's charismatic hosting style to engage audiences. These campaigns capitalized on tie-ins with the Stranger Things fandom, using Matarazzo's popularity from the series to cross-promote and generate organic shares among young adult viewers interested in reality TV and horror-comedy hybrids. No major merchandise campaigns were launched, keeping the focus on digital hype rather than physical products.

Reception

Critical Response

Critical response to Prank Encounters has been mixed to negative, with critics frequently highlighting the show's scripted feel and lack of authentic terror despite its horror-themed pranks. On Rotten Tomatoes, Season 1 holds a 40% approval rating based on five reviews. Many reviewers unfavorably compared the series to predecessors like Punk'd and Scare Tactics, criticizing its predictable setups and unconvincing reactions that undermine the hidden-camera format. For instance, the Daily Dot called it a "riff on Punk'd" that "doesn't do anything to set itself apart," rating it 2/5 for its underwhelming scare tactics and lack of originality. Similarly, Reality Blurred deemed Netflix's attempt to emulate Scare Tactics "mostly embarrassing" and "dull," faulting the elaborate production for resulting in a "unconvincing mess" rather than thrilling content. While some acknowledged solid production values in the elaborate scenarios, the consensus pointed to overly staged elements that made the pranks feel artificial and less impactful. Specific critiques varied by season and outlet. rated the show 3/5, praising its "fun but uneven" comedy while noting concerns over brutal pranks, frequent cursing, and mild scares unsuitable for younger family viewers. In contrast, a review of Season 2 from Nerdly highlighted the "very intense" pranks as unintentionally fostering for the victims due to their severity, though it still positioned the series within the broader, formulaic prank show landscape. Decider offered a more positive take, appreciating host Gaten Matarazzo's enthusiasm as elevating the short, goofy episodes into something more entertaining. Overall, professional evaluations emphasize the show's execution flaws over its conceptual promise, contributing to its middling reception among critics.

Public and Viewer Reaction

Public and viewer reactions to Prank Encounters have been mixed, with an average user rating of 5.3 out of 10 on based on over 3,000 votes, reflecting a divide between those who found the series entertaining and others who deemed it unengaging. Audience feedback on similarly shows varied sentiments, with some praising the show's lighthearted horror elements as suitable for binge-watching. Positive responses often highlight the elaborate nature of the pranks, which viewers described as well-thought-out and original, blending horror tropes with humor to create enjoyable scares. Many appreciated host Gaten Matarazzo's charismatic delivery during the episode reveals, noting his likability as a key factor in the show's appeal as a . Fans also enjoyed the authentic-seeming reactions from participants, which contributed to its binge-watch potential for casual, spooky viewing sessions. Negative feedback frequently centered on the lengthy setups, often exceeding 20 minutes per episode, which many viewers found tedious and drawn-out before reaching the prank payoff. Complaints about inauthentic reactions were common, with users accusing the show of feeling staged or scripted, leading to lackluster and unbelievable participant responses. Discussions around Season 2 in 2021 emphasized its heightened intensity, with some finding the darker pranks more terrifying but others viewing them as overly repetitive or uneven in execution. Netflix has not released official viewership figures for Prank Encounters, but the series' continued availability on the platform into 2025 indicates sustained moderate interest among streaming audiences.

Controversy

Upon its announcement in June 2019, Prank Encounters drew immediate backlash for its premise of subjecting unsuspecting participants—believing they were starting new jobs—to elaborate pranks, which critics deemed exploitative and insensitive amid economic instability and high rates. users and commentators argued that the show disrespected vulnerable job seekers by preying on their hopes for employment, leading to widespread calls for cancellation. Online petitions quickly emerged, including one on urging Netflix to scrap the series and another on Care2 that garnered over 2,000 signatures, specifically targeting host and executive producer for associating with what petitioners called a "cruel" concept. Matarazzo briefly addressed the criticism in an post, defending the show's fun intent. Netflix issued a statement defending the production, emphasizing that the pranks were "spooky, supernatural, and over the top," with all participants compensated for their time, fully debriefed post-reveal, and reportedly enthusiastic about the experience; the company noted that obtaining prior consent is not standard for hidden-camera formats. In March 2020, Scott Hallock, co-creator of the earlier prank series Scare Tactics, filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in U.S. District Court against his former business partner Kevin Healey, a producer on Prank Encounters, alleging the Netflix show copied specific elements and formats from eight Scare Tactics episodes without permission following their 2011 fallout. The suit claimed substantial similarities in the horror-themed hidden-camera setups, but case proceedings, including any settlement or dismissal, have not been publicly disclosed. The April 2021 premiere of Season 2 prompted renewed online debates about the ethical implications of pranking participants , though it did not generate fresh organized opposition. No additional legal challenges have surfaced as of November 2025, and has not announced a third season, with the prior controversies potentially influencing the decision to conclude the series after two installments.

References

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