10 Scariest moments from 3 Body Problem

Deeya
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

Based on the Chinese novel sequence by Liu Cixin, 3 Body Problem, is a science fiction series created by David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo. The show’s title is inspired by a classical physics problem. The series revolves around a group of scientists who discover that an alien species is trying to conquer Earth. The show is a gripping watch and has critically acclaimed visual effects. As the show deals with impending danger, it has some incredibly scary moments.


The flickering of the stars, when Wenjie pushes the button and other scary moments from 3 Body Problem

1. The graphic nanofiber boat scene

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

One of the most gruesome and graphic moments of 3 Body Problem happens when Auggie’s research becomes a threat to everyone. The nanofibers that she had created, went haywire and started cutting through everything and everyone. From flesh to metal, the giant machine was a danger to everyone. As the mess starts to grow, the destructive properties of the nanofiber become visible and this scene and its danger are also representative of the approaching San-Ti, which would kill everyone in its path. Apart from the horrifying nature of the scene, it is also an example of how well the show has used visual effects. The scene looks photo-realistic, which is even better than CGI. 3 Body Problem is famous for making even scary scenes look awe-inspiring and even though this incident is graphic and gruesome, it is enhanced by the visual effects and its symbolic meaning.


2. The flickering stars in 3 Body Problem

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

The first episode of 3 Body Problem builds the suspense throughout the episode and lays the groundwork excitingly for what is to come. The characters come together and the past and present coincide to culminate in one big moment towards the end of the episode. The scene where San-Ti, flickers the stars in unison towards the end, is one of the most terrifying turning points of the show. It is the first time that San-Ti reveals its powers and how capable it is of controlling the whole universe. While stars flicker in and out of the sky, it is a disturbing sight when an entire sky full of stars goes in and out of shining at the same moment. The scene’s horrifying factor is amped up by the tense building throughout the episode and the final frantic score. Even the reactions of the characters as they look up to the sky in horror and confusion are what makes the scene so scary. Further, the tying in of Auggie’s mysterious countdown with the flickering of the stars, makes it even more menacing and is one of the most memorable moments of 3 Body Problem.


3. The dehydration of people

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

The show, 3 Body Problem, has many interesting elements that tie together to contribute to the main storyline. One of these is the VR game that some of the characters come across. The mysterious game is an important part of the show and its realistic surroundings are enthralling to watch. However, the game is tense and the characters within it must solve environmental issues, or else, the living and breathing inhabitants of the game, will suffer from dehydration. The punishment is a unique and inventive aspect of the series and it is also disturbing to watch. The entire dehydration sequence is macabre to watch as there is a scene where a young girl rapidly dehydrates under the sun and the visual effects are so well executed that the viewers can see the sunken and deflated body and the parched skin. The scene is gruesome to watch but equally interesting is the rehydration process that happens in the same episode 2 of 3 Body Problem. In a particular scene, the husks of a woman come back to life underwater and her change from a dried person to a living woman is scary but enthralling.


4. The eye in the sky

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

3 Body Problem’s essential plot deals with a group of scientists trying to stop an advanced and powerful alien race from destroying the Earth. While the show delves into the history of the scientists and how the world is slowly inching toward danger, there is a scene in episode 5, where the menacing race of aliens, known as San-Ti, showcase their full might and power. Even though they are still millions of miles away from Earth, they have enough power to scare the people on Earth and send warning signs about their arrival. In the episode, the aliens showcase their might by encasing the Earth in some form of reflective material and projecting a huge eye across the sky. The scene is not only terrifying but also symbolic. It represents the all-knowing power of the aliens and the fact that humanity is being closely observed. The scene is dystopian in nature and leaves the characters of the show feeling helpless and scared. Yet, it is also a visual spectacle and one of the defining moments of the show.


5. The Church setting on fire

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

Another important scene where the show, 3 Body Problem, has extensively used visual effects to create a stunning but terrifying scene, is when Jin plays the dangerous VR game and even though she answers the game’s riddle correctly, she has to pay for its consequences. Jin is able to correctly point out that the planet in the VR game has three suns and is therefore in an unstable orbit. However, the game seems to showcase Jin the reality of her answer as it brings the planet in the game, very close to one of the suns, which results in a flaming and fiery end for the Church, where Jin is placed. The scene is memorable as it once again the strong visual effects being used in the series, which makes the scene scary but awe-inspiring. When the Church burns down, a sea of motel rock and lava is left everywhere and amidst this blazing hot atmosphere, an avatar of San-Ti approaches Jack and Jin. 3 Body Problem is distributed between the real world and the VR world and this scene is one of the most visually stunning scenes of the virtual world.


6. The meaning of the 3 Body Problem

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

3 Body Problem is a show that has many spectacular scenes, which drive home the urgency and danger of the Earth and humanity being enveloped by aliens. However, the mystery and the central problem of what 3 Body Problem actually means is finally revealed when Jack and Jin enter level 4 of the VR game. A representative of the San-Ti comes over and describes to them what the problem means and its repercussions on Earth. The woman comes with a child and reveals to Jack and Jin that there is no solution to the 3 Body Problem. and that no computer can predict the behavior of three bodies and if there are three suns in the sky, then the civilization will end in chaos. She then says that when a planet is doomed then they have to find a new home elsewhere, which is a reference to the aliens coming over to Earth because their own home is destroyed. This scene in 3 Body Problem is terrifying and tense and the background score is elevated as the young girl says to Jack and Jin that won’t they welcome us.


7. Auggie’s mysterious countdown

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

Auggie is one of the central characters in 3 Body Problem and while the other characters are also perturbed by the disturbing visuals in the sky and the threat of looming danger, it is Auggie who is more personally connected with San-Ti’s impending doom. From the very first episode of 3 Body Problem, Auggie is constantly terrified by the mysterious countdown that she sees everywhere around her. Neither she nor the viewers know what the countdown means and the fact that it could go down to zero and have an unknown fate, is even more terrifying to bear. Unlike other scenes where the show uses dramatic visual effects to highlight the suspense of a scene, this countdown is more subtle and menacing. It is the uncertainty that comes with the ambiguous warning of the countdown, which makes it so effective. Finally, when Auggie reactivates the nanofiber lab and the countdown does not start again, the scene comes as a breath of relief.


8. The Human Abacus scene

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

3 Body Problem is known for its stellar visual effects and CGI, however, there are times when the effects falter a bit. In episode 3, when the players of the VR game are trying to solve a riddle posed by the game, the answer requires so many people that CGI has to be heavily used. The scene is massive, vast, and has a spectacular effect and yet, there are some close shots, which look a bit under par. However, the drama of the moment is so massive, that the scene is overall astounding and invokes terror. As Jack and Jin are caught in the mayhem of the VR game, this scene is truly remarkable as it portrays the antigravity in the scene. The weak gravity happens because the three suns align and the virtual planet’s gravity is compromised. This leads to several human CGI’s being pulled into space. The tri-solar syzygy is spectacular to watch on a large scale and there are many small details like the floating fabric of the characters, which make up for some of the weak points of the CGI.


9. The failed nuclear bomb solution

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

One of the most catastrophic sequences happens in 3 Body Problem when San-Ti stops all scientific progress on Earth. The power that the aliens have upon Earth and humanity is therefore underscored. However, humans decide to band together even in this difficult time and Jin comes up with the genius solution of using the planet’s existing nuclear weaponry to intercept the incoming aliens’ fleet. The solution is unique and ingenious and even though it is a makeshift arrangement with a rudimentary vessel and will take 200 years to reach its destination, it is a big sign of hope for humans. However, this project fails when the generation project goes awry. Even though no one from the main cast is in danger from the San-Ti as there are still hundreds of years before they come to Earth, the failure of the module has a huge impact and is a scary moment in the show. The module contains Will’s brain and has a huge impact, which is now defeated. The mission’s failure is personal as well as a global failure as it was the only chance that humanity had at saving the planet.


10. Ye Wenjie pushes the button

Still from the show (Image via Netflix)
Still from the show (Image via Netflix)

One of the most terrifying moments in the show, 3 Body Problem, is when Ye Wenjie intercepts some signals from space that finally arrive after a long time of trying to make contact with aliens. She is excited and tries to decrypt them. The scene is made even more suspenseful by the tense background score and how Wenjie tries to keep this discovery to herself. The scene is a pivotal moment in the show as the signal says “Do not answer” and warns Wenjie that he is a pacifist, but if you continue to send signals, the race on his planet will come and conquer Earth. However, Wenjie decides to answer back and invites them to conquer Earth. This scene is scary and pivotal as it is the first moment when the aliens are invited to conquer Earth by a human. The scene lays the groundwork for the show’s plot and the moment when Wenjie presses the button to send the message is when the scene feels the most terrifying.

Edited by Zainab Shaikh
comments icon

What's your opinion?
Newest
Best
Oldest