Stephen King is having a moment on the small screen. Mike Flanagan's upcoming adaptation of Carrie is set to premiere on Prime Video this fall, and Ryan Coogler is developing a new take on The X-Files for Hulu. But long before these projects, King actually wrote an episode of the beloved sci-fi series—and it was a wild ride.
In the late '90s, King was at the height of his fame, with novels like Needful Things and The Green Mile dominating bestseller lists. So when he offered to pen an episode of The X-Files, the show's creators jumped at the chance. The result was "Chinga," a Season 5 installment that aired in 1998 and gave fans a distinctly King-flavored horror story.
A Scully-Centric Nightmare
Unlike most episodes, "Chinga" focuses almost entirely on Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), who takes a vacation to Ammas Beach, Maine. But her R&R is short-lived when she stumbles upon a grocery store where patrons are bleeding from their eyes—a bizarre case of mass self-harm. The culprit? A creepy talking doll owned by a young girl named Polly Turner.
Scully teams up with local police chief Jack Bonsaint to investigate, and despite her initial skepticism, she begins to suspect something supernatural. Mulder (David Duchovny) is only present via phone calls, offering theories about witchcraft and New England folklore. The episode builds to a tense climax where Scully destroys the doll in a microwave, but a final shot of the doll being pulled from the harbor suggests the terror isn't over.
King's Signature Style, With a Twist
"Chinga" is packed with King-isms: a malevolent child, a possessed object, references to witch trials, and the Maine setting. It even nods to Salem's Lot. But it's not quite the straightforward King story you might expect. According to Resist or Serve: The Official Guide to The X-Files, series creator Chris Carter rewrote much of King's original script, earning a co-writing credit in the process.
King's original draft was reportedly darker and more graphic, but Carter toned it down to fit the show's style. The result is an episode that feels like a hybrid—King's eerie imagination filtered through Carter's vision. It's a fascinating behind-the-scenes story that adds depth to an already intriguing hour of television.
For fans of both King and The X-Files, "Chinga" remains a must-watch. It's a reminder of how the show could pivot from its usual sci-fi formula to deliver pure horror. And with the franchise's revival on the horizon, it's worth revisiting this gem. If you're hungry for more King-inspired scares, check out his best psychological thrillers or explore deep cuts from his bibliography. And for more X-Files goodness, don't miss the gory new cut of the franchise's scariest movie.
Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer, "Chinga" is a standout episode that proves even the King of Horror needed a little help from the master of paranormal TV.
