Why is Robert Redford's Twilight Zone episode trending again? Fans revisit his haunting turn as Mr. Death following his death at 89

Robert Redford appeared as Harold Beldon, famous as Mr. Death, in The Twilight Zone's episode titled Nothing in the Dark. According to IMDb, the episode revolves around:

"Elderly urban dweller Wanda Dunn has fought with Death a thousand times and always won. Now she is afraid to let wounded policeman Harold Beldon in her tenement's door for fear that he is Death incarnate."

The episode, written by George Clayton Johnson and Rod Serling, featured Gladys Cooper as Wanda Dunn. Towards the end of the episode, Robert's character asks Wanda Dunn:

"Am I really so bad? Am I really so frightening? You've talked to me. You've confided in me. Have I tried to hurt you? It isn't me you're afraid of. You understand me. What you're afraid of is the unknown. Don't be afraid."

He helps her rest, then, in another statement, speaks about death:

"You see? No shock. No engulfment, no tearing asunder. What you feared would come like an explosion? Is like a whisper. What you thought was the end was the beginning"

Fans are going back to the episode after Redford passed away at 89, remembering how he once played the character of Mr. Death, with feeling a mix of admiration for his performance and the sadness of his real-life passing.

Fans remember Robert Redford's character as Mr. Death in The Twilight Zone

Dave Itzkoff

@ditzkoff

Robert Redford playing a gentle incarnation of death, coming for a frightened old woman in The Twilight Zone episode "Nothing in the Dark" (1962). An extraordinary performance then, terribly bittersweet today.

Remembering Robert and his character as Mr. Death, a user, @ditzkoff, wrote on X:

"Robert Redford playing a gentle incarnation of death, coming for a frightened old woman in The Twilight Zone episode "Nothing in the Dark" (1962). An extraordinary performance then, terribly bittersweet today."

Another fan, @RasberryRazz, tweeted:

"I hope Robert Redford’s died peacefully and was something akin to the episode of The Twilight Zone where he played a version of death who makes an older woman’s death a peaceful transition to the next phase of life."

Another Robert's fan, @fryspati, added:

"RIP Robert Redford. Your performance in The Twilight Zone as a warm and gentle personification of Death brought me to tears"

One more fan, @RichardOcelot, shared:

"A Robert Redford performance that's always stuck with me is when he played Death in the 'Nothing in the Dark' episode of The Twilight Zone. Just a really heartbreaking, sad episode that he brought a lot of tenderness to."

Another user, @robinsonishyde, tweeted:

"Robert Redford has passed. He was a part of some of my favorite movies and gave some of my favorite performances ever. One that had an impact on me was his performance on the Twilight Zone. It is such a calming reflection on death and one that has stuck with me since I was a kid."

The episode is now trending on X, with users talking about Redford’s character, sharing how calm his portrayal of Mr. Death was, and recommending others watch it.

Trending

Also Read: Is Denise Richards using abuse claims to avoid spousal support? Estranged husband Aaron Phypers speaks out

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback