5 Most Disturbing Episodes Matthew Gray Gubler Directed, And The Secret Horror Style He Brought To Criminal Minds

Matthew Gray Gubler, the beloved actor best known as Dr. Spencer Reid on the long-running crime drama Criminal Minds, is a multi-talented artist whose directorial work is far more extensive and visually unsettling than many fans realize. As of late 2024, while Gubler has been focused on his new acting role in the CBS series Einstein, his legacy behind the camera remains a fascinating study in balancing dark themes with a unique, almost whimsical horror aesthetic.

The transition from a primary cast member to a director on a major network show is rare, but Gubler didn’t just direct—he helmed some of the series’ most memorable, unsettling, and visually distinct episodes. His signature style, often described as "extra-spooky" and "creepy," injected a fresh, macabre energy into the procedural format, often incorporating elements of folklore, fairy tales, and his own unsettling artwork.

Matthew Gray Gubler: Actor, Artist, and Auteur—A Complete Profile

Born on March 9, 1980, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Matthew Gray Gubler is a true polymath whose career spans acting, directing, producing, writing, painting, and former fashion modeling. His artistic sensibilities were honed early, attending the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing and Visual Arts before graduating from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a degree in film direction.

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• Full Name: Matthew Gray Gubler
• Born: March 9, 1980 (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Education: NYU Tisch School of the Arts (Film Direction)
• Best Known For: Dr. Spencer Reid in Criminal Minds (2005–2020)
• Feature Film Debut: Nico (Intern #1) in Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
• Voice Acting: Simon Seville in the Alvin and the Chipmunks film series (2007–2015)
• Directorial Debut (TV): Criminal Minds Season 5, Episode 16, "Mosley Lane" (2010)
• Other Talents: Accomplished sketch artist and painter; his paintings have been exhibited and featured in his directorial work.

The Matthew Gray Gubler Directing Style: Folklore, Horror, and The Macabre

Gubler’s episodes of Criminal Minds consistently stand out because he approached them not just as a director-for-hire, but as a filmmaker with a distinct, personal vision. While the show’s primary focus was on realistic criminal profiling, Gubler’s entries often drifted into the territory of psychological horror, utilizing unique camera angles, lighting, and a strong emphasis on atmosphere.

His aesthetic is characterized by a balancing act between dark and light themes, often using the setting to evoke a sense of dread. For instance, in several episodes, he incorporated his own creepy, haunting paintings and sketches into the visual storytelling, blurring the lines between the UnSub's (Unknown Subject's) twisted inner world and the episode's overall look. This stylistic choice made his episodes feel more like standalone horror short films than standard procedural television.

The primary themes in his directorial work are often centered around:

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• Fairy Tale Horror: Using classic folklore and childhood fears as a foundation for the crimes, such as in "Mosley Lane."
• Visual Eccentricity: Employing Dutch angles, extreme close-ups, and highly stylized color palettes to disorient the viewer.
• The Unsub’s Psychology: A deep dive into the killer’s mind, often presenting their perspective in a sympathetic or, conversely, deeply disturbing way.

The Complete List: Every Criminal Minds Episode Directed by Matthew Gray Gubler

Over the course of his 15 years on Criminal Minds, Matthew Gray Gubler stepped behind the camera to direct a remarkable 12 episodes. These episodes are often cited by fans as the most terrifying and visually memorable of the entire series run.

Here are the five most iconic and disturbing episodes, which best showcase the unique "Gubler-vision":

1. "Mosley Lane" (Season 5, Episode 16)

This was Gubler’s directorial debut on the series. It’s a chilling story about a couple who abduct children and raise them as their own, focusing heavily on the grief of the biological parents. The episode is praised for its emotional depth and its use of a dark, fairy-tale-like atmosphere that set the tone for all his subsequent directorial efforts.

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2. "Heathridge Manor" (Season 7, Episode 19)

An episode that fully embraces the gothic horror genre, "Heathridge Manor" centers on a series of elaborate, ritualistic murders with ties to a dark, secluded mansion. Gubler utilizes low lighting and a foreboding setting to create a sense of claustrophobia and dread, making it a fan-favorite for its sheer creepiness.

3. "Mr. Scratch" (Season 10, Episode 21)

Arguably the most famous of his directed episodes, "Mr. Scratch" introduces one of the BAU's most terrifying and elusive recurring villains. The episode is a masterclass in psychological manipulation and paranoia, utilizing visual tricks and unsettling imagery to mimic the killer's mind-control techniques. The success of this episode led to Mr. Scratch becoming a major antagonist for multiple seasons.

4. "Elliott's Pond" (Season 12, Episode 6)

This episode is a beautifully shot, melancholy piece of filmmaking that feels like a classic mystery movie. It explores the disappearance of three children over 30 years in a small town. Gubler’s direction focuses on the passage of time and the haunting nature of unresolved grief, giving the episode a unique, almost cinematic quality that stands apart from the typical procedural.

5. "The Tall Man" (Season 14, Episode 5)

A return to the folklore horror that Gubler excels at, "The Tall Man" is centered on a local legend in a small town in rural Appalachia. The episode uses the myth of a shadowy figure to explore deep-seated community secrets and generational trauma. The visual presentation is dark and atmospheric, playing on the fear of the unknown that lurks in the woods.

The Full List of Matthew Gray Gubler's Directed Criminal Minds Episodes:

• Season 5, Episode 16: "Mosley Lane"
• Season 6, Episode 18: "Lauren"
• Season 7, Episode 19: "Heathridge Manor"
• Season 8, Episode 10: "The Lesson"
• Season 9, Episode 14: "200"
• Season 9, Episode 20: "Blood Relations"
• Season 10, Episode 21: "Mr. Scratch"
• Season 11, Episode 18: "A Beautiful Disaster"
• Season 12, Episode 6: "Elliott's Pond"
• Season 13, Episode 17: "The Capilano's"
• Season 14, Episode 5: "The Tall Man"
• Season 15, Episode 4: "Saturday"

Beyond the BAU: Gubler’s Directorial Work in Music and Short Film

Gubler’s passion for filmmaking began long before his time on network television. His early work provides essential context for the "creepy" style he brought to Criminal Minds. His directorial filmography extends to several short films and music videos, showcasing his versatility and eccentric vision.

Music Videos for The Killers

One of Gubler's most notable non-TV directing achievements is his work with the band The Killers. He directed a handful of their music videos, most famously the deeply unsettling, yet strangely comedic, Christmas-themed videos:

• "Don't Shoot Me, Santa" (2007)
• "Dirt Sledding" (2015)

He also directed the music videos for "First Love Never Die" and a video for Whirlwind Heat’s song "Reagan," further cementing his relationship with the Las Vegas music scene.

Early Short Films

Gubler's early short films are a masterclass in low-budget, high-concept horror and comedy, demonstrating his unique visual flair from the start. His projects include:

• The Cactus That Looked Just Like a Man (2005)
• Claude: A Symphony of Horror (2005)
• Matthew Gray Gubler's Life Aquatic Intern Journal (2004)

This early work, particularly Claude: A Symphony of Horror, established his penchant for the bizarre and grotesque, elements he later subtly integrated into the mainstream success of Criminal Minds. His time as an intern for Wes Anderson on The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou also informed his quirky, artistic approach to filmmaking.

In conclusion, Matthew Gray Gubler's career is a testament to the power of a multidisciplinary artist. His directorial work, especially the 12 episodes of Criminal Minds, provided a unique, unsettling, and highly visual counterpoint to the show's standard format. By delving into folklore, psychological horror, and his own distinct artistic style, Gubler didn't just direct episodes—he created standalone, memorable pieces of macabre television that continue to fascinify and disturb fans to this day.