History WebVideo / EscapeTheNight

The show first premiered on June 22, 2016, and is currently has four seasons. Each season premieres in late June or early July, depending on when [=VidCon=] is held each year, before continuing throughout the summer, ending around mid-August. With each season, the first episode is made available for free on [=YouTube=] proper; however, the remaining episodes are restricted to Premium. As of 2020, all the episodes were made free due to the pandemic.

Cause no one truly Escapes the Night\\
Oh, won't you help me Escape the Night\\
Oh, baby, help me Escape the Night\\\
Escape the Night...''

** This is the first and so far only season to have 11 guests at the start instead of 10, and to have one guest die during the first episode. Also, the first two episodes have different titles instead of sharing the same title with "part 1" and "Part 2".
** The tarot cards are not featured and the guests vote by writing each others names down on blank sheets of paper.

* AnythingThatMoves: Tim is infamous for flirting with every other woman he comes across in the season, ''including'' non-humans.

* SpiritualSuccessor: To ''Series/Whodunnit2013'', as it's also a ClosedCircle-style [[TenLittleMurderVictims murder mystery]] hosted by a grey-haired man (albeit considerably younger). However, ''Escape the Night'' is less focused on solving murders and more on solving RoomEscapeGame puzzles.

* EarlyInstallmentWierdness: As the first season of the show, there are a few noticeable differences from future installments.

** In Episode 4 of both Seasons 2 and 4, [[spoiler:Alex and [=DeStorm=]]] face off against each other, and [[spoiler:[=DeStorm=]]] dies. The former part is lampshaded by Tana.

** In Episode 4 of both Seasons 2 and 4, [[spoiler:Alex and [=DeStorm=]]] face off against each other, and [[spoiler:DeStorm]] dies. The former part is lampshaded by Tana.

** In Episode 4 of both Seasons 2 and 4, [[spoiler:Alex and [=DeStorm=]]] face off against each other, and [[spoiler[=DeStorm=]]] dies. The former part is lampshaded by Tana.

%%* KillTheCutie: Too [[PrecisionFStrike f**king]] many times. ''Megatruple'' (times one million) in the case of [[spoiler: Ro]].

* ThePointsMeanNothing: A rare RealityTV Example; a common misconception/criticism with this show is that the "gameplay" is very loose and unconnected, where various deaths arriving from twist's that deviate from the standard "death challenge" formula (notable examples such as [[spoiler: Glozell, Tana, Saifya, etc.]], where they had absolutely no chance to defend themselves or say goodbye) can be seen as blatantly unfair ''if'' seen as a regular reality competition, when in reality it is allowed, because unlike a traditional example where there is usually a cash prize for being the last one standing (see ''Series/MurderInSmallTownX'', ''Series/TheMurderGame'', ''Series/Whodunnit2013'', Genre/Story Competitions that follow this example), in this show, the YouTubers are not rewarded with any type of prize for "surviving" to the end of their season. This allows them to not focus on actually "surviving" by strategizing and metagame with no actual threat of losing out on any "real" stake, but [[{{LARP}} rather try to build the best storyline possible for their CHARACTER and Roleplay with the situation's provided in each episode.]] People who treat it as the former tend to be frustrated with this show, as it doesn't fit into their conventions (even when compared to other shows like it, such as the show's listed above), when it was never intended to in the first place.

* AffablyEvil: Marvin, the groundskeeper, to an extent.

* AnythingThatMoves: Tim.

* BitchInSheepsClothing: Justine was seen after [[spoiler: she sabotaged Andrea's rescue]], whether or not she actually is, the jury is still out on that one.
%%* BloodFromTheMouth: Happens to [[spoiler: Shane]] in the first episode[[spoiler:, and [=GloZell=] in the fourth]].
%%%%* BrokenTears: [[spoiler: Eva]] after the events of Episode 8.
* BuriedAlive: What happened to Caroline. [[spoiler: And Justine's eventual fate.]]
* DieselPunk: Has shades of this - takes place in the RoaringTwenties and all.
* ChekhovsGun: The note that Oli finds at the end of Episode 2 [[spoiler: was written by Vincent Wells from Episode 9, who left the note there to warn the guests that Arthur was working with the evil. If you look at the back of the note carefully, you'll see that it's just written on an ink blot card.]]

* CreepyHousekeeper: Sarah, the maid. [[spoiler: And Arthur, the butler.]]

* DespairEventHorizon: [[spoiler: Matt]] reaches one at the end of Episode 6 after he [[spoiler: accidentally kills Sierra.]]
%%%%* DirtyCoward: Matt. To the point where [[spoiler: everyone unanimously rejoices when he dies.]]
* TheDogWasTheMastermind [[spoiler: Arthur the butler was working for the AncientEvil!]]

* DramaticIrony: Justine confesses to the audience in Episode 3 that she has intense claustrophobia, but never confesses this to any of the other contestants. When faced with the prospect of [[spoiler: being buried alive]], she starts [[TearsOfFear crying hysterically]], which results in [[spoiler: [[PoorCommunicationKills the rest of the cast suspecting her, and ultimately putting her to death]] (except for Joey).]]
* ElectricTorture: Episode 9 has this in two forms. The first is the psychiatrist's chair for his patient, the fourth owner of the house. The second is [[spoiler: in a variant of the ring toss game, where each miss shocks the person seated above the pegs, and the loser (Lele) gets electrocuted to death.]]

* FailureToSaveMurder: [[spoiler: Alice=Justine, Bob=Tim, Charlie=Creator/AndreaBrooks.]]
* {{Foreshadowing}}: ''Not even fifteen seconds into the first episode'', [[FreezeFrameBonus the screen briefly shows a gravestone]]. If one can read with only the top half of the letters, it spells [[spoiler: Justine]]. This is commented on {{Website/Tumblr}}.

* TheGadfly: [[spoiler: the Ringmaster who makes them believe he let Oli and Timothy get eaten by piranhas, when in actuality he never put any in the tank.]]
%%%%* TheGambler: Justine.

** Averted. [[spoiler: Matt]] steps up to make one in Episode 6, but after further contemplation, [[MortalityPhobia decides to take it back]]. The group decides to [[spoiler: vote him up for backing out]], and Lele is quick to [[DirtyCoward criticize the flip-flop.]]
** Averted a SECOND time in the same Episode, and by the same person. [[spoiler: Matt winds up [[NiceJobBreakingItHero killing Sierra]] because he put a rosary on her neck in an effort to save her, before reading a clue that [[PoorCommunicationKills told him that putting the rosary around someone's neck kills them,]] [[SadisticChoice and the other one lives.]] After he reads the clue, he [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone handles]] [[HeroicBSOD it]] [[DespairEventHorizon poorly]]]].
** Implied by the fandom in [[spoiler: Tim's]] case in Episode 8.
%%%%* HollywoodExorcism : Two happen in Episode 6. [[spoiler: [[GoneHorriblyWrong Both of them end with someone dying tragically]].]]

%%%* ICantLookGesture: Eva when [[spoiler: Tim shoots himself.]]
* IDidWhatIHadToDo: [[spoiler: Joey had to take the lease so that someone with less moral scruples than he didn't.]]

* TheMole: Early on in the episode, the team is told that one of them is in league with the evil spirit of the house and they spend several episodes wondering who it is. [[spoiler: It's Arthur, Head Of Staff.]]
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone
** [[spoiler: Everyone realises that burying Justine was a bad idea, even if it had to be done.]]
** [[spoiler: Matt didn't feel too great after [[PoorCommunicationKills he fails to read the instructions fully and killed Sierra]], so much so that he backed away a lot from the challenges the next episode.]]

* StuffBlowingUp: [[spoiler: The car that brought the Website/{{YouTube}}rs to the estate, in Episode 1.]]
%%%%* TheQuietOne: Sierra.

* TenLittleMurderVictims: Type K.

* WhyDidItHaveToBeSnakes: After hearing Christine's story, Justine talks in testimonial about how incredibly claustrophobic she is, and the tone in her voice is enough to make it clear how drastic it is. Naturally, they have to [[spoiler: bury someone alive later that episode. Guess who?]]
* YankTheDogsChain: Episode 6 early on reveals that even though the guests have successfully managed to collect all four [[PlotCoupon artifacts]], [[spoiler: they still have to free the five former owners of the house]].
* YourPrincessIsInAnotherCastle: [[spoiler: After the YouTubers (or at least, the ones still alive) gathered all the artifacts, they perform the ritual, only to find that they had to free the former owners of the Mansion before being able to [[TitleDrop Escape the Night]].]]

* FurAgainstFang: Alison versus the werewolves in Episode 8. [[spoiler: The werewolves win this round.]]
* GenreSavvy: From the survivors of Season One. [[spoiler: They both were given invites to the new party. Oli tore his apart and Eva set hers on fire!]]

* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler: Alison]] in Episode 8.

* InvitedAsDinner: The Website/{{YouTube}}rs are invited to a MasqueradeBall held by vampires...who just want their blood.
** This is even {{lampshade|Hanging}}d by the Website/{{YouTube}}rs with this line:
--> '''Gabbie:''' "We are dinner."
* {{Irony}}: In Episode 4, [=DeStorm=] {{lampshade|Hanging}}s how he, a black man, is the captain of the team aligned with the Confederate Army.

--> '''Eva:''' *taking out lighter* Not today, Satan!

* LighterAndSofter: Somewhat, compared to the first season. While guests still to die, the season's tone is more leaning towards comedy, with more comedy-focus Website/{{YouTube}}rs in the cast. The scenarios themselves are more outright Fantasy. The tone only leans more to the first at "Midnight" [[spoiler: Episode 8 and beyond, where the guest's are constantly chased down by monsters and features a more tense tone compared to the prior episode's.]]

* RightUnderTheirNoses: [[spoiler: The Ice Gem was in the compass.]]
* SequelHook: [[spoiler: Joey's revival]] at the ending of Episode 10.

* ShootTheDog: [[spoiler: Tana's betrayal]] in Episode 6.
* SteamPunk: Episode 7.
* StuffBlowingUp: The Website/{{YouTube}}rs [[spoiler: destroy the [[RuleOfThree 3rd (and last)]] Leviathan Seal by blowing it up, along with Cash and Atticus.]]
* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: Subverted. Most of the fans thought that Tyler's death is implied in the trailer, but it turns out that [[spoiler: he survives and escapes the night]].
* VampireEpisode: Episodes 1 and 2.
* WoodenStake: The Wooden Stake of [[ShoutOut Van Helsing]] is used to kill [[spoiler: Morgan and Dorian]] in Episode 2.

* ReactiveContinuousScream: Massively ''''''EVERYWHERE!!!''''' Yes, everywhere in the third season. Hope you're willing to cover your ears or wanting to make it stop due to the [[SensoryAbuse ear shattering screaming massacre from hell]].

* EverythingsBetterWithPlushies: Blueberry (dog), Blanche (horse)…
** In Episode 1, Jc was seen holding an elephant plushie in a shot if one pays attention.
** Some of the townspeople have plushies too. Such as a tiger.

* ReactiveContinousScream: Massivel''''''EVERYWHERE!!!''''' Yes, everywhere in the third season. Hope you're willing to cover your ears or wanting to make it stop.

The show uses escape room puzzles for most of its challenges, and is unique in that Joey, the host, also solves the puzzles along with the guests. At the end of each episode, the guests vote for two of their own to go into "death challenges," in which the loser dies. This repeats until one or more guests survive at the end of the season, along with Graceffa... [[AmbiguouslyEvil maybe]].

-->''I have so many, so many regrets''
-->''So many lies, so many broken ties''
-->''I wish for my old life''
-->''Wish I could fix my strife''

-->''Cause no one truly Escapes the Night''
-->''Oh, won't you help me Escape the Night''
-->''Oh, baby, help me Escape the Night''

-->''Escape the Night...''

* EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs: A dinosaur fossil appears in the main promotional poster (which looks more like a velociraptor skeleton than that of a ''Tyrannosaurus rex''), and Bretman interacted with what looks like a T-rex skull in his teaser. Raptors also make an appearance in the ninth episode.

* TheDollEpisode: Episode 7 for Season 1, Episode 6 for Season 3.

%%* KillTheCutie: Too [[PrecisionFStrike f**king]] many times. [[UpToEleven Megatruple (times one million)]] in the case of [[spoiler: Ro]].

** And then there's Episode 9. [[UpToEleven The sheer amount of sexual assault can disgust even adults.]]

%%* ThePointsMeanNothing: A rare RealityTV Example; a common misconception/criticism with this show is that the "gameplay" is very loose and unconnected, where various deaths arriving from twist's that deviate from the standard "death challenge" formula (notable examples such as [[spoiler: Glozell, Tana, Saifya, etc.]], where they had absolutely no chance to defend themselves or say goodbye) can be seen as blatantly unfair ''if'' seen as a regular reality competition, when in reality it is allowed, because unlike a traditional example where there is usually a cash prize for being the last one standing (see ''Series/MurderInSmallTownX'', ''Series/TheMurderGame'', ''Series/Whodunnit2013'', Genre/Story Competitions that follow this example), in this show, the YouTubers are not rewarded with any type of prize for "surviving" to the end of their season. This allows them to not focus on actually "surviving" by strategizing and metagame with no actual threat of losing out on any "real" stake, but [[{{LARP}} rather try to build the best storyline possible for their CHARACTER and Roleplay with the situation's provided in each episode.]] People who treat it as the former tend to be frustrated with this show, as it doesn't fit into their conventions (even when compared to other shows like it, such as the show's listed above), when it was never intended to in the first place.

The show uses escape room puzzles for most of its challenges, and is unique in that Joey, the host, also solves the puzzles along with the guests. At the end of each episode, the guests vote for two of their own to go into "death challenges," in which the loser dies. This repeats until one or more guests survive at the end of the season, along with Graceffa... [[AmbiguouslyEvil maybe.]]

!! ''Escape the Night'' provides examples of:

* AerithAndBob: From the Dark Army general Arlyn (S2), the Confederate general Cash (S2), SAE members Jael and Ryu (S3); to CreepyHousekeeper Sarah (S1), UsefulNotes/WW1 soldier Colin (S1), Vampire Princess Alison (S2), [[IronicNickname The-Man-With-No-Name]] [[spoiler: Benjamin]] (S3) and Carnival Master [[spoiler: Nicholas]] (S3).
* AnachronismStew: Zigzagged. Most non-{{Website/YouTube}}rs have names fitting to their era, only that there's a few...''odd''...ones that stand out for their time period. For example, in Season 2, [[RebelliousPrincess Alison]] was a popular name in the Middle Ages and the late 20th century, not the ''Victorian Era'', whereas 'Alice' would be more appropriate for the era. Meanwhile, in the same season, [[spoiler:[[SealedGoodInACan Riley]]]] was a [[GenderBlenderName ''masculine'']] name in the 19th century, but then [[spoiler: she was born in at least the ''18th'' century]]...
** Season 4 Episode 4 is set in ImperialChina, and a Chinese fan has [[https://archiveofourown.org/works/17529617/chapters/47308585 lamp]][[https://archiveofourown.org/works/17529617/chapters/48913598 shaded]] the historical inaccuracies in the episode.
-->''"Manchu plaits, like the ones on the male rebel, would not be commonplace until the Qing, and even then, the Qing’s first hairstyle isn't like this. Therefore, this part is anachronistic as hell."''

* AnyoneCanDie: It's a elimination-based reality competition, so yes, Almost everyone is up for grabs....

* BackFromTheDead: Happens a few times throughout Seasons 2 and 3: [[spoiler:[[ActionSurvivor Joey]] in Season 2 Episode 10, [[TheSmartGuy [=MatPat=]]] in Season 3 Episode 7, [[BigDamnHeroes Jael and Ryu]] in Season 3 Episode 10]].
** [[spoiler: The Automaton Bride]] in Season 2 Episode 7 may also count.
** Taken to a whole other level when Season 4 was announced to be an All-Stars Season, and eight of the fallen returned to battle for a second chance at life!

* BlackGuyDiesFirst: Averted, because the token "black" characters [[spoiler: die in Episode 4]] in their respective seasons - [[spoiler: [=GloZell=], Season 1; [=DeStorm=], Seasons 2 and 4; Teala, Season 3]], as opposed to the first or second episode, when the first Website/{{YouTube}}r death occurs. Also discussed.
* BuryYourGays: Played with...a lot. But mostly averted because none of the Website/{{YouTube}}rs are killed off because of their sexuality, as far as we know.
** Justified for [[spoiler: Shane]], because he's a member of the [[WellIntentionedExtremist Society Against Evil]], and HeKnowsTooMuch.
** Downplayed for the LGBT guest survivors, because their friends are dead and they likely have PTSD...but they're still alive. This category includes [[spoiler: Eva, Tyler, Andrea R, Nikita, and Bretman]].
** Subverted for Joey. [[spoiler: He came BackFromTheDead.]]

* ConfessionCam: As traditional for reality/scripted TV hybrids (see; ''Series/MurderInSmallTownX'', ''Series/TheMurderGame'', ''Series/Whodunnit2013'') it makes sense. On the other hand, one has to wonder when the guests had the chance to sit down....
** ( WordofGod Has Confirmed it represents the Youtubers' in-universe thought processes as it [[https://youtu.be/QVd8JbpZcKo?t=684 actually happens in that moment, and as such, not really to be considered as a actual thing in "canon"]])
* CruelAndUnusualDeath: Several Website/{{YouTube}}rs died in ways which can be classified as such.
* CuriosityKilledTheCast: Too many times: accepting the invitations - ALL THREE TIMES, that cursed jack-in-the-box in Season 3 Episode 1...''ugh''.
* DarkFantasy: Especially in season 2.

** [[TokenEvilTeammate Timothy]] immediately assumes he’s getting sued for something.
** [[SassyBlackWoman GloZell]] is chewing down a bowl of nachos while commenting on the weirdness of the situation.
** [[Workaholic Matt]] was still working on a video, implying he has NoSocialSkills.
** [[ShamelessFanserviceGirl Tana]] is reading the letter [[MsFanservice in her bikini.]]
** [[GenkiGirl Liza]] aggressively tears open her box.
** [[NiceGuy Tyler]] seems to be the only one aware of Joey’s disappearance.
** [[AlphaBitch Nikita]] [[ItsAllAboutMe demands to know]] [[SkewedPriorities where her burger is.]]
** [[TheFightingNarcissist Manny]] wonders if he can take his makeup with him.
** [[TheSlacker JC]] is showing playing video games on the couch as the letter arrives.
** [[TheDitz Roi is shown brushing his forehead instead of his teeth]], while exclaiming that he’s [[ThrillSeeker coming for the action.]]
** Rosanna is the only one who immediately JumpedAtTheCall, showing her UndyingLoyalty to her friends.
* ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: Sometimes.
** In Season 1 Episode 10, there was, indeed, a ''Betrayal at the House on the Hill''.
** Season 1 Episodes 4, 7 and 9 each feature ''Mannequins'', ''Mermaid'' (''Tails'') and ''Wicked Hallucinations'' respectively.
*** In the same way, Season 2 Episode 7 features an ''Automaton Love Story'', the following episode has the ''Slaughter'' under the ''Full Moon''; ''the Clowns Here'' [in Everlock] indeed ''Kill'' in Episodes 1 and 2 of Season 3, while Season 3 Episode 7 mainly takes place within the grounds of a ''Funhouse'', etc.

** After the original Season 4 titles were leaked, the new titles made for the episodes were quite straightforward about what happens in the episode, e.g. Episode 5, ''Dark Magic and a Twisted Fate'', in which curses and a cruel PlotTwist are involved in the episode.
* FaceDeathWithDignity: [[spoiler:[=DeStorm=] in Season 2 Episode 4, then eventually his ex-ArchNemesis Alex in Season 4 Episode 8.]]
* FantasyKitchenSink: Especially in Season 2. Spread across the first three seasons are: demons, vampires, werewolves, gods and goddesses, Steampunk, dimensions, clowns, mermaids, witches, other monsters, etc.
* FatalFlaw: All the [[BackFromTheDead (formerly-)]]deceased {{Website/YouTube}}rs have been cited to have their own, according to [[https://archiveofourown.org/works/17529617/chapters/41300900 this]] work.
* FindTheCure: The first challenge of the entire show is to find the antidote to save Shane's life after he is poisoned. [[spoiler: They don't make it in time.]]
** Season 1 Episode 7 has another challenge like this, and again in the finale!
** We return to a similar premise in Season 3 when one of the group was bitten by the Snake Woman and a part of the group had to make the antidote to the venom.
%%%* {{Foreshadowing}}: It happens every once in a while in-season, but a couple manage to span multiple.
%%%** For instance, in Season 3, a story mentions flesh-eating beetles.
%%%---> '''Joey:''' *reading* Sarah G. was eaten alive by flesh-eating beetles.
%%%*** Later on in Season 4, flesh-eating (scarab) beetles are a part of the challenge that [[spoiler:Justine and Tana]] must evade. It is eventually subverted by the death of the episode.

* GratuitousJapanese: Not the language, no, but there are plenty of Japanese-based characters - [[SpiderPeople Jorogumo, Kira and Haruko]]; [[WellIntentionedExtremist Katsumi]]; [[spoiler: [[BigDamnHeroes Ryu]]]]; etc. Makes sense since the [[BaseBreakingCharacter creator/host]] uses GratuitousJapanese in some of his videos.
* GroupHug: Happens to the winning group in group challenges (the losing one goes up on the chopping block), then in the Season 3 finale too!

* HistoryRepeats
** In Episode 9 of both Seasons 1 and 2, [[spoiler: Joey fails to save the Website/{{YouTube}}r he was partnered with, resulting in [[TearJerker their death]]]].
** In Season 1 Episode 6, [[spoiler: Matt had the choice between committing suicide or killing Sierra in the exorcism death challenge]]. In Season 3 Episode 9, [[spoiler: Nikita had to make the same choice in another death challenge, between herself and Manny]]. Both times, [[spoiler: both chose to save themselves]], although the former did not do it on purpose.
** In Season 1 Episode 4, [=GloZell=] antagonizes Joey. In Season 3 Episodes 5 and 6, Colleen does the same, even though she showed remorse in the end. [[spoiler: Guess who Joey decides to betray both times?]]
** In Season 1 Episode 4 and Season 2 Episode 6, [[spoiler: Joey is voted into betrayal challenges]].

** In Episode 8 of all four seasons so far, the one dying ([[spoiler:Tim, Alison, Rosanna and Alex]]) accepted their death prior to it occurring.

** In Episode 10 of both Seasons 2 and 3, the final three face off against the {{Mooks}}, while trying to complete their mission. If one of them gets captured, they have five minutes to save him/her.
*** Season 4 continues this, but the time limit dropped to two minutes only.
** In Episode 4 of both Seasons 2 and 4, [[spoiler:Alex and [=DeStorm=]]] face off against each other, and [[spoiler:[=DeStorm=]]] dies. The former part is lampshaded by Tana.
--> '''Tana:''' History’s repeating itself.
** Season 4 in a nutshell. The returning guests are not thrilled at the idea of having to go through this thing again, while Joey is exasperated and resigned at having to go through this a fourth time.

** Oddly enough, Episode 8 of Seasons 2, 3 and 4 all feature a Race Challenge.

* KillTheCutie: Too [[PrecisionFStrike f**king]] many times. [[UpToEleven Megatruple (times one million)]] in the case of [[spoiler: Ro]].
* LastEpisodeNewCharacter: [[spoiler: Arthur's brother]] in Season 1, [[spoiler: Riley]] in Season 2.
* OneSteveLimit: Defied. As of Season 3, there have been three characters named Caroline…and three Website/{{YouTube}}rs whose first names are Matthew. Even before then, two [=YouTubers=] named Andrea? This is getting out of hand...
* ThePointsMeanNothing: A rare RealityTV Example; a common misconception/criticism with this show is that the "gameplay" is very loose and unconnected, where various deaths arriving from twist's that deviate from the standard "death challenge" formula (notable examples such as [[spoiler: Glozell, Tana, Saifya, ETC]], where they had absolutely no chance to defend themselves or say goodbye) can be seen as blatantly unfair IF seen as a regular reality competition, when in reality it is allowed, because unlike a traditional example where there is usually a cash prize for being the last one standing (see; ''Series/MurderInSmallTownX'', ''Series/TheMurderGame'', ''Series/Whodunnit2013'', Genre/Story Competitions that follow this example), in this show, the YouTubers are not rewarded with any type of prize for "surviving" to the end of their season. This allows them to not focus on actually "surviving" by strategizing and metagame with no actual threat of losing out on any "real" stake, but [[{{LARP}} rather try to build the best storyline possible for their CHARACTER and Roleplay with the situation's provided in each episode.]] People who treat it as the former tend to be frustrated with this show, as it doesn't fit into their conventions (even when compared to other shows like it, such as the show's listed above), when it was never intended to in the first place.

*** 3 [[spoiler: evil staff members]] in Episode 10.

*** [[spoiler: 3 [[WellIntentionedExtremist Society Against Evil]] members sent to defeat the Carnival Master initially in 1978.]]

*** [[spoiler: 3 people are revived using the Lazarus Harp.]]

** [[EvilSorceress The Sorceress]], the BigBad of Season 2 was inspired by [[WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty Maleficent]], according to WordOfGod.
** There's a more definite one to ''Film/TheMatrix'' in Season 3 Episode 6, where the {{Website/YouTube}}rs could swallow a red pill to [[spoiler: continue on and gain a Lazarus Coin]]. This is even lampshaded by [[TheSmartGirl Safiya]].
** A MonsterClown nicknamed Rosanna ComicStrip/LittleOrphanAnnie. The fandom took this and ran with it.
* TheSmartGuy / TheSmartGirl: Eva, Matt Haag, Alex, Liza, Matthew Patrick and Safiya are the most notable ones.

* TitleDrop: By Joey in the Season 2 trailer.
--> '''Joey:''' Everyone runs, but who will Escape the Night?

-->'''Manny (on ConfessionCam):''' I wish I could just be there with 'em to... escape this freakin' night.
** Nikita says the title of the show in general on ConfessionCam in Season 4 Episode 7... in present continous tense form. But it still counts…

--> '''Colleen (also on ConfessionCam):''' The only way to escape tonight...
** But played fully straight by Joey in Season 4 Episode 10.
** FinaleTitleDrop: The Season 3 soundtrack ending with "'Cause no one truly escapes the night".
*** Further exaggerated when the title is repeated in the same song at least nine times.
** For specific episodic title drops, it does happen occasionally.

** (WordofGod Has Confirmed it represents the Youtubers' in-universe thought processes as it [[https://youtu.be/QVd8JbpZcKo?t=684 actually happens in that moment, and as such, not really to be considered as a actual thing in "canon"]])

The show uses escape room puzzles for most of its challenges, and is unique in that Joey, the host, also solves the puzzles along with the guests. At the end of each episode, the guests vote for two of their own to go into "dark tasks," challenges in which the loser dies. This repeats until one or more guests survive at the end of the season, along with Graceffa... [[AmbiguouslyEvil maybe.]]

* ConfessionCam: As traditional for reality/scripted TV hybrids (see; ''Series/MurderInSmallTownX'', ''Series/TheMurderGame'', ''Series/{{Whodunnit}}'') it makes sense. On the other hand, one has to wonder when the guests had the chance to sit down....

* OneSteveLimit: Defied. As of Season 3, there have been three characters named Caroline…and three Website/{{YouTube}}rs whose first names are Matthew. Even before then, two [=YouTubers=] named Andrea? This is getting out of hand…
** The one with the Matts is even [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] in [[https://archiveofourown.org/works/17619401 this]] fanfic.
* ThePointsMeanNothing: A rare RealityTv Example; a common misconception/criticism with this show is that the "gameplay" is very loose and unconnected, where various deaths arriving from twist's that deviate from the standard "death challenge" formula (notable examples such as [[spoiler: Glozell, Tana, Saifya, ETC]], where they had absolutely no chance to defend themselves or say goodbye) can be seen as blatantly unfair IF seen as a regular reality competition, when in reality it is allowed, because unlike a traditional example where there is usually a cash prize for being the last one standing (see; ''Series/MurderInSmallTownX'', ''Series/TheMurderGame'', ''Series/{{Whodunnit}}'', Genre/Story Competitions that follow this example), in this show, the YouTubers are not rewarded with any type of prize for "surviving" to the end of their season. This allows them to not focus on actually "surviving" by strategizing and metagame with no actual threat of losing out on any "real" stake, but [[{{LARP}} rather try to build the best storyline possible for their CHARACTER and Roleplay with the situation's provided in each episode.]] People who treat it as the former tend to be frustrated with this show, as it doesn't fit into their conventions (even when compared to other shows like it, such as the show's listed above), when it was never intended to in the first place.

* SpiritualSuccessor: To ''Series/{{Whodunnit}}'', as it's also a ClosedCircle-style [[TenLittleMurderVictims murder mystery]] hosted by a grey-haired man (albeit considerably younger). However, ''Escape the Night'' is less focused on solving murders and more on solving RoomEscapeGame puzzles.

-->'''Manny (on ConfessionCam):''' I wish I could just be there with 'em to … escape this freakin' night.
** Nikita says the title of the show in general on ConfessionCam in Season 4 Episode 7… in present continous tense form. But it still counts…

--> '''Colleen (also on ConfessionCam):''' The only way to escape tonight…

* GoneHorriblyWrong: It has been constantly re-emphasized that Seasom 4 was supposed to be a rescue mission. Obviously, that didn't work out as intended - the people you're supposed to be ''saving'' shouldn't be dying on a rescue mission of all things!

The show uses escape room puzzles for most of its challenges, and is unique in that Joey, the host, also solves the puzzles along with the guests. At the end of each episode, the guests vote for two of their own to go into "dark tasks," challenges in which the loser dies. This repeats until one or more guests survive at the end of the season, along with Graceffa... [[Ambiguously Evil maybe.]]