History Main / UnnervinglyHeartwarming

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** Early in the second season, Spike and Drusilla are completely devoted to each other despite the fact that she is quite out of her mind. Their first episode ends with them going off to relax and watch tv together - after Spike has just casually murdered the local BigBad, who looks like a little kid.

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* ''Series/BoardwalkEmpire'': When a local tough guy bullies one of his friends, Al Capone is concerned and supportive, and makes a point of getting the bully back -- by savagely beating him to death. It's made very clear that Al is doing this simply because he cares about his buddy.

* ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'': Whether it was [[ImpliedLoveInterest a romantic]] or a PlatonicLoveConfession, Halbrand and share a very sweet scene at the end of "Udun", where they finally admit their feelings to each other. Galadriel tells Halbrand that he should be free of his DarkAndTroubledPast. Halbrand agrees with her and confesses that he would love to bind to his very being everything that Galadriel makes him feel. Galadriel responds that she feels the same way which leaves him speechless. Unfortunately, the scene was just foreshadow for the revelation of Halbrand being Sauron in disguise, deceiving her at every turn. In episode "Alloyed", he finally reveals what he meant, inviting Galadriel to be his Queen Regent and rule over Middle-Earth, turning her into the very thing she fears she would be, a tyrant. And this being Sauron, Galadriel would have most likely ended up like the Witch King of Angmar, never as someone of equal status, just his very powerful minion, enslaved to his will for eternity.

Enter the EvilTwin of heartwarming. Here, what ''should'' be a perfectly ordinary heartwarming moment is deliberately undermined by eerie, disturbing, unpleasant or flat-out horrific elements. The reasons for this (in-universe and out) vary: in some cases, it's meant to convey an element of danger, indicating that however heartwarming this scene might be, the participants probably shouldn't relax just yet; in others, it might indicate insincerity or even manipulation of some kind; and in a few cases, there's nothing immediately dangerous or villainous going on in this moment, and the characters are just intrinsically ''creepy'' by nature.

* The ''Anime/OsomatsuSan'' episode "ESP Kitty" focuses on a cat that can speak out loud the thoughts of anyone who comes near it. The climax of the episode reveals that Ichimatsu Matsuno is very insecure about himself, and that he isn't sure that his brothers like him at all. His brothers reassure him and tell him that he's fine the way he is and that they'll always love him as a brother. All this is well and good--except for the fact that their brother Karamatsu is nowhere to be seen the whole episode, having casually gotten abandoned for food while he's strung up and used for ransom. The hypocrisy of their treatment of Ichimatsu versus Karamatsu is explicitly shown in the end, where the brothers walk off together while Karamatsu tearfully watches them in the distance.

* Bernard the newsvendor spends most of ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'' as a selfish grouch who (for example) refuses to lend his cap to a young boy ([[OneSteveLimit also named Bernard]], or rather, "Bernie") reading comics at the news stand when it starts to rain, on the logic that "[[InTheEndYouAreOnYourOwn in the end, a man stands alone]]". In theory, this should make the moment when he ''does'' lend Bernie his cap (and lets him take a comic for free) all the more heartwarming... except that this change of heart is caused by Bernard [[OhCrap reading a headline about how Russia has invaded Afghanistan]], bringing the world [[JustBeforeTheEnd one step closer to]] [[WorldWarIII nuclear annihilation]], and giving his [[TheApocalypseBringsOutTheBestInPeople sudden generosity]] and IronicEcho a deeper, darker significance.

* In the ''Literature/{{Nevermoor}}'' books, the BigBad genuinely wants Morrigan to be his apprentice, and expresses admiration for her abilities multiple times. He even helps her out of a bind a few times. However, all this is undermined by the fact that he's a complete sociopath who (incorrectly) believes that Morrigan is, deep down, just as bad as he is, and constantly tries to lead her down a dark path, meaning that even his already-limited PetTheDog moments are ruined by [[ManipulativeBastard all the manipulation and headgames]]. Consequentially, whenever he compliments her or offers his help, Morrigan is ''creeped the hell out'', and seems to dislike his positive attention even more than she dislikes him openly threatening her.

* In ''Series/{{Dexter}}'' this applies to much of his relationship with Lumen in Season 5, which is styled as a typical courtship...but they're essentially an OutlawCouple of {{Serial Killer}}s. A particular moment in the episode "Hop A Freighter": we see them cuddling on the floor, using Harrison's toys/stuffed animals to represent [[BigBad Jordan Chase's]] bodyguards, cameras etc. It's like a couple planning their next romantic outing (which it kind of is), if it weren't for the fact they're planning on abducting and murdering a man. [[PayEvilUntoEvil He deserves it,]] but still...

** In the series finale, Luke is unexpectedly reunited with Abigail, Nelly and his mother in a surprisingly adorable scene. However, something's immediately off: his mother seems a little too eager to keep him pacified, Nelly keeps whispering "don't" and "go," and Luke's growing alarm undercuts any sentimentality of the moment. [[spoiler: Luke is temporarily dead in this scene, and the heavenly setting is another attempt by the House to keep him calm while it devours him.]]

** In "[[Recap/TheSandman2022S01E04AHopeInHell A Hope In Hell]]," John Dee is picked up by a concerned motorist by the name Rosemary, and they strike up a friendly conversation during the car trip to his destination, even commiserating over how dishonesty ruined their lives. Now, John has murdered at least three people during the previous episode, so the scene is already a little unnerving; then he [[VillainsNeverLie casually confesses]] to the fact that he was institutionalized on several counts of arson and murder, and Rosemary [[OhCrap very slowly begins to realize]] that she's AloneWithThePsycho. John [[AffablyEvil never once says an unkind word at any point]], agreeing with Rosemary's points concerning morality and even [[PetTheDog patting her rottweiler]], but the tension just keeps escalating as neither Rosemary nor the audience has any idea what John's going to do to her once he reaches his stop and finds the Ruby.

** During "[[Recap/TheSandman2022S01E09Collectors Collectors]]," the Corinthian takes in Jed Walker and basically plays the part of a cool babysitter while they wait for his sister Rose to arrive. During their time together, Corinthian takes Jed out for ice-cream, allows him to order a big plate of chicken fingers from room service, and assures him that his abusive foster parents will never be able to hurt him again. In turn, Jed seems to genuinely like his new "friend." However, the audience knows by now that Corinthian is a [[LivingDream living nightmare]] and SerialKiller who has already murdered said abusive foster parents - and is only charming Jed so he can use him as bait for Rose, so those kind acts inspire fear and apprehension more than anything else.

* ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'': When BMO befriends a sapient bubble in the episode "BMO lost" it gets popped in the end. After hearing Bubble's voice again, BMO thinks, he goes crazy. Bubble assures him, that his is fine, having been "air" the entire time, but he forgot as he got trapped in the bubble. In the end BMO is still sad that air, now that he isn't lost anymore, wouldn't need him to feel at home. Air responds with this:

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Archer}}'': In the Season 10 finale, Archer finally wakes up from his 3 year coma only to find his normally ''[[AbusiveParents awful]]'' mother Malory had been keeping an UnbrokenVigil the entire time, and is [[TookALevelInKindness genuinely overjoyed]] that he's awake. Then she has to go and make it [[ParentalIncest unbelievably weird]] by referring to their relationship as a "love story". Archer is suitably grossed out.
* ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales2017'': The ending of the episode, "What Ever Happened to Della Duck?!", is beyond heartwarming. Della finds helpful aliens in the form of the Moonlanders, who's civilization is made of gold, allowing her to fix her ship. Only for the two Moonlanders that found her to have ''this'' conversation.

* ''VisualNovel/SayaNoUta'': [[spoiler:Fuminori and Saya]]'s relationship progresses from ordinary heartwarming to this the further the story goes on. Every scene they spend together makes it clear how deeply and genuinely they love each other and would do anything for the other, and how their entire existence revolves around each other's happiness... usually just as they're either [[UnholyMatrimony plotting or committing some horrible act]]. For example, a relatively early scene has a cute conversation about how they love finally getting the chance to eat together and how happy it makes [[spoiler:Fuminori]] feel... except said food is [[spoiler:the [[ImAHumanitarian brutally murdered Omi]]]]. It really becomes noticeable when they're exchanging words of affection and having emotionally fulfilling sex- while in the middle of raping [[spoiler:Yoh Tsukuba]], whom they've reduced to an EmptyShell and SexSlave. There's also the fact that [[spoiler:Fuminori is willing to help Saya turn all of humanity into her species because he loves her]]. Essentially, their relationship is mutually loving but toxic, and the further they continue with it, the worse people they become.

* In ''VideoGame/OctopathTraveler'', the third segment of Primrose's route has her reunite with Simeon, a gardener and poet who worked at her home before her father was murdered by three mysterious assassins, leaving Primrose traumatized and destitute. The two reminisce on Primrose's childhood, and present-day Simeon expresses signs that he was smitten with her even back then. Their reunion after many years is a sweet moment... except that Primrose was a young girl in their flashback, and Simeon was already a grown man. This has paedophilic implications and is a ''very'' good sign that something is wrong. [[spoiler:Sure enough, it is later revealed that [[EvilAllAlong Simeon himself is responsible for the murder of Primrose's father]] and is a [[{{Sadist}} sadistic]] [[TheSociopath sociopath]] who had deliberately become close to Primrose in her childhood so that he could inflict maximum emotional pain on her at a later time, all for the purpose of [[ItAmusedMe his own amusement]].]]

* ''VisualNovel/SayaNoUta'': [[spoiler:Fuminori and Saya]]'s relationship progresses from ordinary heartwarming to this the further the story goes on. Every scene they spend together makes it clear how deeply and genuinely they love each other and would do anything for the other, and how their entire existence revolves around each other's happiness... usually just as they're either [[UnholyMatrimony plotting or committing some horrible act]]. It really becomes noticeable when they're exchanging words of affection and having emotionally fulfilling sex- while in the middle of raping [[spoiler:Yoh Tsukuba]], whom they've reduced to an EmptyShell and SexSlave. There's also the fact that [[spoiler:Fuminori is willing to help Saya turn all of humanity into her species because he loves her]]. Essentially, their relationship is mutually loving but toxic, and the further they continue with it, the worse people they become.

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': Pearl teaches Connie sword fighting and sings ''Do it for Her''. At the start, it comes off as your typical training montage but, as the song goes on, it becomes clear Pearl is projecting her unresolved war trauma onto Connie and starts encouraging her to be self-sacrificial for Steven. This does not go unnoticed, as Steven is obviously alarmed.

* ''VisualNovel/SayaNoUta'': [[spoiler:Fuminori and Saya]]'s relationship progresses from ordinary heartwarming to this the further the story goes on. Every scene they spend together makes it clear how deeply and genuinely they love each other and would do anything for the other, and how their entire existence revolves around each other's happiness... usually just as they're either plotting or committing some horrible act. It really becomes noticeable when they're exchanging words of affection and having fulfilling sex- while in the middle of raping [[spoiler:Yoh Tsukasa]], whom they've reduced to an EmptyShell and SexSlave. There's also the fact that [[spoiler:Fuminori is willing to help Saya turn all of humanity into her species because he loves her]]. Essentially, their relationship is mutually loving but toxic, and the further they continue with it, the worse people they become.

** In "[[Recap/TheSandman2022S01E05247 24/7]]," Judy and Bette comfort each other over their recent romantic failures, tentatively discuss relationships, and even share a kiss that soon gives way to sex. It'd be a genuinely sweet moment, especially given that it's implied that Bette's been nurturing a crush on Judy [[ArmoredClosetGay without even realizing it]]... but the two of them are under the influence of John Dee, who is using the Ruby to MindRape the inhabitants of the diner into abandoning their "lies", so the whole thing smacks of QuestionableConsent and comes across as off-putting even ''before'' the LossOfInhibitions gives way to violence.

* The epilogue of ''VideoGame/DanganronpaAnotherEpisodeUltraDespairGirls'' shows that Nagito rescued Monaca from death. Any other time, saving a little girl would be seen as heroic and adorable, but given that both are [[ManipulativeBastard manipulative bastards]] planning on turning Monaca into the next Junko Enoshima, it comes off as extremely creepy.

-->'''John:''' Thank you.
-->'''Corinthian:''' [''[[PsychoSmirk smirking]]]''] Thank ''you.''

** In "A Hope In Hell," John Dee is picked up by a concerned motorist by the name Rosemary, and they strike up a friendly conversation during the car trip to his destination, even commiserating over how dishonesty ruined their lives. Now, John has murdered at least three people during the previous episode, so the scene is already a little unnerving; then he [[VillainsNeverLie casually confesses]] to the fact that he was institutionalized on several counts of arson and murder, and Rosemary [[OhCrap very slowly begins to realize]] that she's AloneWithThePsycho. John [[AffablyEvil never once says an unkind word at any point]], agreeing with Rosemary's points concerning morality and even [[PetTheDog patting her rottweiler]], but the tension just keeps escalating as neither Rosemary nor the audience has any idea what John's going to do to her once he reaches his stop and finds the [[ArtifactOfPower Ruby]].
** In "24/7," Judy and Bette comfort each other over their recent romantic failures, tentatively discuss relationships, and even share a kiss that soon gives way to sex. It'd be a genuinely sweet moment, especially given that it's implied that Bette's been nurturing a crush on Judy [[ArmoredClosetGay without even realizing it]]... but the two of them are under the influence of John Dee, who is using the Ruby to MindRape the inhabitants of the diner into abandoning their "lies", so the whole thing smacks of QuestionableConsent and comes across as off-putting even ''before'' the LossOfInhibitions gives way to violence.
** During "Collectors," the Corinthian takes in Jed Walker and basically plays the part of a cool babysitter while they wait for his sister Rose to arrive. During their time together, Corinthian takes Jed out for ice-cream, allows him to order a big plate of chicken fingers from room service, and assures him that his abusive foster parents will never be able to hurt him again. In turn, Jed seems to genuinely like his new "friend." However, the audience knows that Corinthian is a living nightmare and SerialKiller who has already murdered said abusive foster parents - and is only charming Jed so he can use him as bait for Rose, so those kind acts inspire fear and apprehension more than anything else.

* In ''Film/WarOfTheWorlds2005'', the scene where Ray soothes Rachel to sleep is inter-cut with ominous shots of Ogilvy watching them.
** When Ray realizes [[spoiler: that he has to kill Ovilvy]], he goes to Rachel and gives her an emotional hug, while his face is grim over what he has to do. He also tenderly kisses her hands when getting her to sing [[spoiler: so she won't hear the murder sounds]].

** In episode 5, "The Bent-Neck Lady," Nelly's dance with Arthur appears to be a heartwarming moment of husband and wife re-enacting their wedding party, complete with ''Heavenly Day'' playing in the background. Trouble is, [[spoiler: Arthur died months ago]], and the whole thing takes place in an illusion cooked up by [[GeniusLoci Hill House]] [[LotusEaterMachine to keep Nelly complacent]]; the heartwarming elements are frequently undermined by the camera CuttingBackToReality - revealing that Nelly is dancing alone through the ruined house. Plus, the big OrbitalKiss reveals that the illusions of Nelly's family are being subtly replaced by the ghosts of Hill House...

* In Film/WarOfTheWorlds2005, the scene where Ray soothes Rachel to sleep is inter-cut with ominous shots of Ogilvy watching them.