‘Dancing With The Stars’ Recap: 2 Couples Are Sent Packing On Horror Movie Night After Routines Inspired By ‘Sinners,’ ‘The Omen’ & More

SPOILER ALERT! This post contains details from this week’s episode of Dancing with the Stars.

It’s one of the buzziest nights of the season on Dancing with the Stars: Halloween!

This year, they’ve specifically themed the performances around famous horror movies from The Omen to Sinners. Since no one went home last week, there’s a double elimination tonight.

Shirley Ballas, who is a prolific ballroom dancer and judge in her own right and also happens to be the mother of DWTS pro Mark Ballas, is the guest judge. Watch out, Mark!

Let’s see how things shook out.

Actress Julia Stiles with Ezra Sosa. The actress says her performance last week, which paid tribute to her 10 Things I Hate You costar Heath Ledger and involved the rest of the film’s stars. But, she and Ezra get into it a little bit in rehearsals this week about his critiques, so they have to hug it out before they can rise to the challenge of an argentine tango to “The Dogs Attack” by Jerry Goldsmith, Lionel Newman and National Philharmonic Orchestra, featured in the 1976 film The Omen. Stiles starred in the horror movie’s 2006 remake, so she’s got big expectations. “I didn’t know you could do that with a priest!” Bruno says. SCORE: 26 out of 40 (Shirley gave her a 4?!?!)

Actor Harry Shum Jr. with Jenna Johnson. The Grey’s Anatomy star and his partner are dancing a contemporary to a song DWTS audiences should be familiar with, “Toxic” by 2WEI. Witney and Milo danced to the same song a few seasons ago. The routine is inspired by 2004’s Saw. “Bravo! That is the contemporary we’ve been waiting for,” Carrie Ann told them, literally giving a standing ovation in the process. SCORE: 40 out of 40

Actress Tatyana Ali with Jan Ravnik. These two are dancing a paso doble to the Oscar-nominated song “I Lied To You” by Miles Caton, from last year’s Sinners. Taking on such an iconic and recent film, they’ve got a tall order to make it both cinematic and powerful enough to be considered a true paso doble. Sounds like the jury is still out on whether they accomplished that, but the judges agreed they loved the theatrics. “Whatever you’re selling, I am buying,” Derek said. SCORE: 28 out of 40 (another 4 from Shirley)

Actress Jenna Dewan with Val Chmerkovskiy. Back with her partner after the kerfuffle with Carrie Ann, Jenna is performing an Argentine tango to “Uninvited” by Damned Anthem and Kendra Dantes, inspired generally by zombie films…except there were no zombies to be found on that dance floor. “I’ve seen those moves…but never with that power, that precision!” Derek said, jumping to his feet. SCORE: 37 out 40

Comedian and podcaster Connor Wood with Rylee Arnold. Inspired by Annabelle: Creation, the comedian and his partner are dancing a contemporary to “You Are My Sunshine” by Charles McDonald. Wood has been in at the bottom of the leaderboard most weeks, but he really impressed the judges with his dedication dance last week, so he’s got a lot riding on this one. “Aren’t you too old to play with dolls?” Bruno teases. SCORE: 37 out of 40

Paralympian Ezra Frech with Daniella Karagach. After getting the first 10 of the season, this pair is tackling a jazz routine to “Madness” by Ruelle, inspired by The Invisible Man. Ezra has some issues with his prosthetic this week that interrupted practice, but he’s pushing through. The queen of Halloween routines delivers again, impressing the judges thoroughly. “Jazz is subjective…I actually got your storyline,” Shirley said. SCORE: 36 out of 40

Savannah Bananas midfielder Jackson Olson with Emma Slater. Get ready for a “dark persona” from mister banana ball! They’re doing a contemporary to “That’s Life” by Frank Sinatra, inspired by Joker. To his credit, he totally embodied the character, to the point that even Carrie Ann have to give him credit for intentionally not finishing his movements, rather than being inattentive. “It was a challenging routine, had a lot of momentum. I thought it was terrifying,” Shirley said. SCORE: 35 out of 40

Reality star Tyler Cameron with Sharna Burgess. Dancing a Viennese waltz to “Love Song for a Vampire” by Annie Lennox, The Bachelorette alum is taking inspiration from the 1992 film Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Tyler’s wig! Scary!!! The dance? Pretty good. Well, for all the judges except Carrie Ann. “I did not think your acting was that great in that dance,” she said. SCORE: 26 out of 40

Olympian Amber Glenn with Pasha Pashkov. The figure skater and her pro partner are coming off a high last week, dancing an Argentine tango to “Perfection” by Clint Mansell inspired by Black Swan. These two also got very high scores last week, so they’re riding a high and ready to up the ante even more. And the judges loved the technique, even if the Argentine tango is pretty difficult to master. SCORE: 36 out of 40

Reality star Maura Higgins with Mark Ballas. As the last performance of the night, these two are dancing a contemporary routine to “Cry Little Sister” by Gerard McMann, the theme of the 1987 vampire film The Lost Boys. Mark’s mom is at the judges’ table tonight, so all eyes are on them. “Only you can make the horrible look beautiful,” Bruno told Mark. But, Maura could use some more oomph in her style on the contemporary. SCORE: 32 out of 40

Who goes home?

There’s a double elimination tonight, so Jackson Olson and Emma Slater and Tyler Cameron and Sharna Brugess are sent packing. Next week is Disney Night in the ballroom.