" Peternormal Activity " is the fourth episode of the fourteenth season of the animated series Family Guy , and the 253rd episode overall. Originally airing on October 25, 2015, the episode serves as a Halloween-themed installment featuring a blend of horror movie parodies and meta-commentary on the creative process. Plot Overview
: Upon its initial airing, it received a 1.8 rating in the 18–49 demographic and was watched by approximately 3.85 million viewers. [S14E4] Peternormal Activity
: The writers use the characters to voice common criticisms of modern filmmaking, particularly the reliance on jump scares and recycled plots. Production and Reception " Peternormal Activity " is the fourth episode
: After watching a disappointing horror film, Peter, Quagmire, Joe, and Cleveland decide they can write a better one. They retreat to an abandoned asylum to find inspiration. While there, they accidentally "kill" a man they believe is a serial killer, only to discover he was actually a harmless veteran. This leads to a parody of I Know What You Did Last Summer as they try to cover up the deed, eventually realizing the "ghost" haunting them is just their own crushing guilt. : The writers use the characters to voice
: Reviews were generally mixed-to-positive; critics praised the "I Know What You Did Last Summer" parody but noted that the meta-humor about writing felt like the showrunners venting their own professional frustrations.
The episode is notable for its heavy use of meta-humor regarding the tropes of the horror genre and the difficulty of writing.
: The episode mocks various horror staples, including the "creepy abandoned building" trope and the specific plot beats of 1990s slasher films.