Hollow Knight
Video Game
ReportThis video game contains 66 potentially triggering events.
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Yes
No
Your Triggers
Yes
0
No
57
Unanswered Triggers
Yes
0
No
0
Yes
0
No
0
Yes
0
No
0
Abandonment
Yes
2
No
1
Is a child abandoned by a parent?
30 supporters
Yes
18
No
0
3
Spadesssss
many children, by multiple different parents, are left to die
3 comments | Add comment
Yes
1
No
4
Abuse
Are there abusive parents?
47 supporters
Yes
14
No
0
3
Where do I start…
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
8
Is someone stalked?
21 supporters
Yes
45
No
5
6
TheHandWixard
During the lead-up to a boss fight in Deepnest, the player character will follow a moving bug which appears to be leading them somewhere.
3 comments | Add comment
Is there domestic violence?
National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233)
75 supporters
Add comment
Yes
2
No
49
Yes
0
No
8
Does the abused become the abuser?
National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233)
29 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
12
Yes
2
No
41
Yes
0
No
6
Yes
48
No
8
7
Mikado
[SPOILERS] The pale king pretty much killed the majority of his children, although inderectly it was still his fault.
1 comment | Add comment
Addiction
Yes
2
No
49
2
ElliotLeDoux
it’s kind of implied that lifeblood is a drug but it is only taboo and not triggering at all
1 comment | Add comment
Is there addiction?
1 supporters
Yes
18
No
32
8
Someone404
The bugs in the Soul Sanctum were driven mad by the draw of SOUL
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
55
Animal
Yes
0
No
13
Yes
0
No
61
Yes
67
No
3
4
Anonymous
Bugs count as animals, and yes. lots def die.
2 comments | Add comment
Are animals abused?
176 supporters
Yes
5
No
37
10
Demiii
just to clarify, the thing mentioned in the other persons comment is implied to be a part of the grubs life cycle and you can still hear the grubs alive.
3 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
55
Is there a dead animal?
98 supporters
Yes
51
No
0
3
manaphy
There are many corpses of bugs around, even ones you yourself didn't kill. One area is filled with dead bodies raining down occasionally from the sky. There isn't usually any rotting, with the exception of one room in the "Pleasure House" where the kitchens and the bugs that died in it are rotten.
2 comments | Add comment
Is an animal sad?
76 supporters
Yes
8
No
0
0
StormrunnerStudios
All characters are bugs, and some are shown to be sad
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
8
Yes
0
No
61
Does a pet die?
142 supporters
Yes
14
No
0
3
Artsymess
In God Tamer’s bossfight you must kill her Beast to end the fight. When defeated she kneels down and cries.
1 comment | Add comment
Does a dragon die?
30 supporters
Yes
4
No
47
4
abbiequail
One character is mentioned often and called a "wyrm;" he is long dead by the beginning of the game.
2 comments | Add comment
Are there spiders?
44 supporters
Yes
78
No
0
12
Someone404
Deepnest is populated by them
4 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
9
Yes
0
No
53
Yes
0
No
3
Are there bugs?
30 supporters
Yes
84
No
0
15
Savannah
Hollow Knight's characters are humanized bugs, or at the least, usually cuter designs of real life bugs. There is however one area, which contains more lifelike and horrific bugs, called Deepnest.
3 comments | Add comment
Assault
Does a woman get slapped?
National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233)
17 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
5
Yes
0
No
12
Yes
0
No
10
Yes
0
No
11
Yes
0
No
9
Yes
0
No
10
Is someone restrained?
23 supporters
Yes
18
No
0
2
Artsymess
Little Fool in the Colosseum ot Fools is suspended upside down in chains. A Snail Shaman was strapped into a chair in the Soul Sanctum for experimentation. The Hollow Knight is held by chains.
2 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
54
Yes
1
No
3
Yes
0
No
11
Yes
0
No
14
Bodily Harm
Is there shaving/cutting?
32 supporters
Yes
42
No
5
1
Anonymous
Swords and spears are used in battle.
2 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
4
Yes
0
No
4
Yes
1
No
32
Is there decapitation?
34 supporters
Yes
5
No
0
0
saltydeezee
Many characters' and enemies' bodies are carapaces that fall apart when they are defeated. This sometimes resembles decapitation.
1 comment | Add comment
Is there cannibalism?
31 supporters
Yes
43
No
1
4
manaphy
There is a room in the Pleasure House where, if you read the minds of bugs and listen to the ghost, it is heavily implied that they ran out of food and started eating the chefs. Bugs do discuss eating each other on occasions other than that. Leg Eater is one, Willoh as well if you look into her thoughts. And, as the others have said, in one sidequest if you gather all the grubs they are consumed by their father. HOWEVER that one is implied to be part of their natural life cycle! Necessary for them to turn into "Grubberflies." You can also avoid this one by not going back into the room he lives in after you have gathered the last reward for saving his children for him.
4 comments | Add comment
Is someone crushed to death?
33 supporters
Yes
18
No
0
4
Anonymous
Spoilers for what happens to Tiso, a side NPC: During a boss rush (called a "Pantheon"), there is a fakeout boss in which Tiso prepares to fight you. He is then crushed by the actual boss. It is not explicit, but it is death from him being jumped onto. It is implied that this is how he died in the Colosseum of Fools.
2 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
10
Is someone burned alive?
41 supporters
Yes
4
No
42
1
Artsymess
Both the player and enemies can die to acid. The Hunter says the acid “bubbles and spits with a seething hatred of the living”.
2 comments | Add comment
Is someone buried alive?
26 supporters
Yes
21
No
24
5
abbiequail
The player character can be caught in a cave-in; they are rescued before dying.
2 comments | Add comment
Is there body horror?
50 supporters
Yes
13
No
1
0
No clue what to put here, Nosk fight might count but I genuinely do not know
1 comment | Add comment
Is there amputation?
26 supporters
Yes
36
No
0
6
TheHandWixard
No active amputation, a few characters are missing limbs.
3 comments | Add comment
Does a head get squashed?
52 supporters
Yes
28
No
15
5
Someone404
Before one boss fight, Tiso appears, only to be crushed by a Mawlek from above
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
13
Is there a hanging?
33 supporters
Yes
13
No
33
2
Artsymess
Many of Nosk’s victims were hung up either before or after their deaths.
2 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
12
Yes
0
No
24
Does someone become unconscious?
5 supporters
Yes
13
No
0
1
fran.midnight
Yes, the player character goes unconscious after receiving spells or during a few cutscenes.
1 comment | Add comment
Does someone break a bone?
20 supporters
Yes
11
No
28
8
Someone404
Cracked shells of bugs are shown at multiple times
2 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
49
Yes
0
No
46
Yes
0
No
49
Is someone tortured?
77 supporters
Yes
16
No
29
7
abbiequail
It is heavily implied that one of the Snail Shamans was tortured in the Soul Sanctum. This happens offscreen.
2 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
12
Does someone fall to their death?
13 supporters
Yes
48
No
0
7
Anonymous
Its possible to accidentally land on spikes pr acid pools after falling.
3 comments | Add comment
Is there eye mutilation?
89 supporters
Yes
20
No
30
8
Mikado
While the act of mutilation is not explicitly showed, there is a character named No Eyes who, as their name implies, does not have eyes
2 comments | Add comment
Is someone stabbed?
15 supporters
Yes
10
No
0
0
cornbabylaughter
rip cloth
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
12
Children
Is an infant abducted?
22 supporters
Yes
14
No
0
2
Anonymous
The Collector stole the grubs, who all seem to be infants or infant-like, from the Grubfather.This was done supposedly to protect the grubs. You can return the grubs to him, though,.
1 comment | Add comment
Does a kid die?
46 supporters
Yes
65
No
0
6
interstellartreasure
There is infanticide as a key part of Hollow Knight's storyline. Passing through the grave is required to achieve two of the five endings.
4 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
14
Creepy Crawly
Yes
3
No
2
Death
Does someone sacrifice themselves?
12 supporters
Yes
18
No
0
2
Artsymess
The Knight does so in the majority of endings (with the exception of Embrace the Void and White Flower)
4 comments | Add comment
Does a major character die?
23 supporters
Yes
12
No
0
1
Many, this game is a tragedy at its core
1 comment | Add comment
Does a non-human character die?
22 supporters
Yes
15
No
0
1
Every character is a bug and some do die
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
13
No
0
Disability
Yes
0
No
10
Yes
0
No
13
Drugs/Alcohol
Yes
1
No
9
Family
Yes
10
No
0
Does a parent die?
24 supporters
Yes
61
No
3
8
Someone404
Herarrah, the mother of Hornet and Deepnest's inhabitants, is required to be killed in order to complete the game
2 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
36
Is someone kidnapped?
9 supporters
Yes
42
No
4
2
Demiii
Yes, in one area of the Deepnest you are captured and taken to a spider nest.
3 comments | Add comment
Does someone cheat?
17 supporters
Yes
7
No
42
10
abbiequail
The Pale King has a "dalliance as bargain;" however, this was done with the full knowledge and consent of his wife.
2 comments | Add comment
Fear
Are there ghosts?
9 supporters
Yes
65
No
0
7
Anonymous
The player character is a living shadow wearing a cape and death mask.
You must fight your own ghost to get back your MP orb and money after you die.
The main ranged attack spell conjures and throws angry ghosts at enemies.
It is ambiguous wether or not the Dream Warriors are lingering spirits or echoes of their lives.
Several non-hostile ghosts can be encountered at the Burying Grounds area.
Deceased bosses can be fought a second time in the Spirit World.
You must fight your own ghost to get back your MP orb and money after you die.
The main ranged attack spell conjures and throws angry ghosts at enemies.
It is ambiguous wether or not the Dream Warriors are lingering spirits or echoes of their lives.
Several non-hostile ghosts can be encountered at the Burying Grounds area.
Deceased bosses can be fought a second time in the Spirit World.
1 comment | Add comment
Are there jump scares?
55 supporters
Yes
59
No
1
9
Anonymous
Mimics shapeshift from grubs to their true form with a horrid shreik and keep on screaming as you fight them.
2 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
52
Yes
4
No
0
Are there clowns?
11 supporters
Yes
56
No
0
5
Anonymous
The Grimm Troupe is a travelling circus with several harlequins.
2 comments | Add comment
Is someone possessed?
11 supporters
Yes
63
No
0
7
Anonymous
The Plague is revealed to be an Elder God mainlining its essence into people, allowing it to control them.
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
5
No
1
Yes
5
No
5
1
A dream segment contains multiple buzz saws I think may trigger someone in the same way
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
10
Gross
Does someone vomit?
92 supporters
Yes
8
No
32
1
zuchini5928
one enemy very early on spits toxic orange goo at you
2 comments | Add comment
Does someone wet/soil themselves?
20 supporters
Yes
6
No
14
4
manaphy
There is a character, Divine, who you can bring certain charms to and she'll eat them. Then you can buy them back, and they will in fact go through her digestive tract and come out the other end. The sounds are horrendous, and it makes me feel gross. The item pickup looks like all other items though, just a little white ball of light. I could get through it by looking away and turning off the volume for 15 seconds or so.
1 comment | Add comment
Is there farting?
10 supporters
Yes
3
No
1
0
There is an item that makes the player character ‘stinky’ in a way that some perceive as farting
1 comment | Add comment
Is someone eaten?
31 supporters
Yes
6
No
0
0
They’re all bugs and eat others
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
4
No
2
Does someone spit?
9 supporters
Yes
52
No
0
5
Anonymous
Certain enemies spit pus at the player character as an attack.
The Defender's Crest badge causes the player character to constantly emit fart gas.
The Defender's Crest badge causes the player character to constantly emit fart gas.
2 comments | Add comment
Is there audio gore?
41 supporters
Yes
28
No
4
4
CaptainSawyer
Though it's not in a torturous way, some parts of the game contain noises that could be assumed are cracking bones, notably in Deep Nest. There are also small 'squish' noises when hitting basic enemies, though imo it's more akin to smacking Jell-O than anything gory.
3 comments | Add comment
Large-scale Violence
Yes
0
No
13
Law Enforcement
Is there copaganda?
28 supporters
Yes
0
No
26
6
Graebby
There are no cops or cop-adjacent characters.
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
3
No
0
LGBTQ+
Yes
0
No
9
Yes
0
No
6
Yes
0
No
9
Yes
0
No
11
Yes
0
No
5
Loss
Yes
0
No
3
Medical
Yes
2
No
47
Are needles/syringes used?
29 supporters
Yes
18
No
29
13
Someone404
Hornet uses a needle and thread as her weapon
4 comments | Add comment
Yes
1
No
47
Yes
0
No
45
Does someone have cancer?
18 supporters
Yes
0
No
46
1
Artsymess
No one living, but infected corpses begin to bloat and swell as well as form large boils and tumors of orange puss.
1 comment | Add comment
Mental Health
Yes
2
No
2
Yes
64
No
3
10
kaaruneko
The final boss stabs itself several times.
2 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
8
Is a mentally ill person violent?
32 supporters
Yes
13
No
2
8
manaphy
Not in a traditional sense. This game doesn't demonize any real world mental illnesses, however it's a game about a plague that spreads through the mind. There's a very sympathetic character who you can watch slip into the Infection as you visit her with more and more story progress. So people who are mentally sick are violent, they are literally sick with a plague and that makes them violent, but you don't have to worry about your own diagnosis being demonized. Hope this helps?
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
9
Is there autism specific abuse?
40 supporters
Yes
6
No
25
6
abbiequail
There are a few characters that are repeatedly dehumanized, abused, and described as "hollow" or "empty." Many traits this group shows - such as difficulty communicating and emoting - are also commonly associated with autistic people. Though it's subtle and untentional, it could potentially be disturbing to people who deal with autism-specific ableism.
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
13
No
2
2
ferretsincorporated
[MAJOR SPOILERS. ALL CHARACTERS ARE MENTIONED BY NAME]
The Nailsmith, Cloth, The Hollow Knight, and (presumably) Quirrel can all attempt suicide throughout your playthrough, depending on your progression and what you do. The Nailsmith and Cloth have dialogue specifically referencing their desire to die.
The Nailsmith, Cloth, The Hollow Knight, and (presumably) Quirrel can all attempt suicide throughout your playthrough, depending on your progression and what you do. The Nailsmith and Cloth have dialogue specifically referencing their desire to die.
3 comments | Add comment
Is reality unstable or unhinged?
18 supporters
Yes
3
No
2
1
There are flashbacks and a dream realm that could cause issues for someone with this trigger
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
1
No
2
Is there misophonia?
32 supporters
Yes
3
No
11
0
SCOURGE
a section of the game has enemies that make very noticeable mouthy sounds. can be triggering for some.
2 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
42
Yes
0
No
6
Does someone say "I'll kill myself"?
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255)
29 supporters
Yes
6
No
17
4
manaphy
No, however, there is a character (the nailmaster) who asks you to kill him and it hits similarly.
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
8
Is there body dysmorphia?
27 supporters
Yes
29
No
16
6
PigDoodles
That's not what body dysmorphia is. It's a disorder involving a warped perception of one's own body and health that often makes them insecure and/or affects their mental state.
1 comment | Add comment
Is there a claustrophobic scene?
1 supporters
Yes
54
No
0
8
Someone404
The entirety of Deepnest
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
45
Yes
49
No
2
12
Anonymous
Presumably.
=SPOILERS=
It's suggested that Qurriel dies somehow in the game. His body is never shown only his sword(nail) by a lake where you last see him.
It's assumed that Qurriel may have killed himself as a final peace as he has remembered everything he had forgotten. and knows he doesn't have anything to do.
His sword(nail) by the lake is called Qurriel_Death_Nail.png within the game's files.
=SPOILERS=
It's suggested that Qurriel dies somehow in the game. His body is never shown only his sword(nail) by a lake where you last see him.
It's assumed that Qurriel may have killed himself as a final peace as he has remembered everything he had forgotten. and knows he doesn't have anything to do.
His sword(nail) by the lake is called Qurriel_Death_Nail.png within the game's files.
3 comments | Add comment
Yes
0
No
11
Noxious
Yes
0
No
3
Yes
5
No
0
Is there shakey cam?
1 supporters
Yes
47
No
1
4
Someone404
The screen momentarily freezes when taking damage
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
18
Yes
4
No
0
Yes
0
No
11
Are there flashing lights or images?
43 supporters
Yes
25
No
21
4
manaphy
There are two sequences that bothered me:
1) The Soul Master has two phases in his fight, and once you defeat his first stage he teleports around a lot and it's very bright. If you move to the edge of the arena you can close your eyes until he breaks through the floor.
2) in two of the endings, you attack the final boss after defeating her and your attacks cause a bright flash of light. If you're playing the game, you can take it slow, but if you're watching gameplay obviously you don't have that luxury.
1) The Soul Master has two phases in his fight, and once you defeat his first stage he teleports around a lot and it's very bright. If you move to the edge of the arena you can close your eyes until he breaks through the floor.
2) in two of the endings, you attack the final boss after defeating her and your attacks cause a bright flash of light. If you're playing the game, you can take it slow, but if you're watching gameplay obviously you don't have that luxury.
2 comments | Add comment
Paranoia
Is someone watched without knowing?
12 supporters
Yes
6
No
0
1
It’s debatable, but a boss does kind of follow you
1 comment | Add comment
Is the fourth wall broken?
11 supporters
Yes
2
No
11
2
manaphy
At first I thought yes, there are plaques that are addressed to "Higher Beings". However, Higher Beings doesn't refer to the player, it refers to very powerful, God-Like Bugs.
2 comments | Add comment
Pregnancy
Is a baby stillborn?
1 supporters
Yes
16
No
0
2
manaphy
There are unhatched Stag eggs in the Stag Nest, and it's implied that most of them can't or won't hatch, which might hit your heart similarly.
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
1
No
45
Are there babies or unborn children?
13 supporters
Yes
15
No
0
2
manaphy
Grubs are children, the Aspid Mothers give birth, there is a section with unhatched Stag eggs once you find every stag station (the Stag isn't an enemy and so you feel for his loss, even if they weren't specifically his eggs).
1 comment | Add comment
Is there childbirth?
19 supporters
Yes
35
No
12
3
Iselda
The Aspid Mother, Flukemarm, and Brooding Mawlek will produce hatchlings during combat, although they aren't humanoid. The latter two are optional bosses, but the Aspid Mother is a common enemy in early game areas.
3 comments | Add comment
Yes
1
No
41
Does a pregnant person die?
17 supporters
Yes
47
No
3
6
PartyCatAnthem
After killing a certain boss, hatchlings burst out of its body, so I think that counts as a pregnant woman dying.
3 comments | Add comment
Prejudice
Yes
0
No
41
Is there ableist language or behavior?
40 supporters
Yes
8
No
27
7
abbiequail
There are a few characters that are repeatedly dehumanized, abused, and described as "hollow" or "empty." Many traits this group shows - such as difficulty communicating and emoting - are also commonly associated with neurodivergent people. Though it's subtle and untentional, it could potentially be disturbing to people who deal with related ableism.
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
39
Yes
1
No
39
2
Anonymous
Xenofiction with no human characters.
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
20
Yes
0
No
52
3
manaphy
Most bugs are gender neutral and are referred to as such, but characters who do have distinct genders (Hornet, Quirrel, Cornifer, Iselda, etc) all get their correct names and pronouns.
1 comment | Add comment
Does an LGBT person die?
29 supporters
Yes
55
No
8
16
Anonymous
There is potential for LGBT characters to die, but not necessarily depending on your choices. The player character, who is canonically nonbinary, dies in some endings, and the Nailsmith can either end up in a gay relationship or die at the player's choice.
4 comments | Add comment
Are there fat jokes?
52 supporters
Yes
12
No
29
4
Artsymess
On two occasions The Hunter mocks enemies for being fat, commenting on how a lazy lifestyle has led to their demise. However this is only if you actually read his journal and never appears as dialogue.
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
10
Yes
0
No
8
Yes
0
No
50
Yes
0
No
47
Race
Yes
0
No
7
Relationships
Yes
0
No
11
Religious
Is religion discussed?
11 supporters
Yes
6
No
0
1
Vex
Yes, although it’s not real world religion
1 comment | Add comment
Yes
0
No
3
Sex
Yes
0
No
9
Yes
0
No
8
Yes
0
No
6
Yes
0
No
11
Are there incestuous relationships?
National Sexual Assault Hotline 800.656.4673
80 supporters
Add comment
Yes
0
No
43
Yes
0
No
50
Yes
0
No
6
Sexism
Yes
0
No
10
Sickness
Yes
5
No
1
Yes
0
No
8
Does someone have a chronic illness?
1 supporters
Yes
9
No
1
1
Debatable on if the infection counts as this, but since it’s a main theme I’ll be safe and say yes
1 comment | Add comment
Is there dementia/Alzheimer's?
25 supporters
Yes
2
No
7
2
BobGary
Multiple characters experience memory loss; however it is more similar to amnesia
1 comment | Add comment
Social
Yes
0
No
7
Is someone homeless?
6 supporters
Yes
2
No
6
4
manaphy
There are many nomadic characters, but all of them seem to travel by choice. That being said, the player character doesn't have a home to return to. Mostly because this is a story about a crumbled kingdom.
2 comments | Add comment
Yes
1
No
4
Yes
0
No
5
Spoiler
Yes
0
No
43
Yes
3
No
2
Does it have a sad ending?
53 supporters
Yes
58
No
0
9
Anonymous
Multiple endings, some happy, some not.
2 comments | Add comment
Vehicular
Yes
0
No
9
Yes
0
No
44
Yes
0
No
43
Yes
0
No
44
Violence
Does someone drown?
18 supporters
Yes
44
No
1
7
Anonymous
Water is instantly fatal to most enemies.
2 comments | Add comment
Is there blood/gore?
52 supporters
Yes
34
No
10
6
Anonymous
The blood" is just a orange goop.
There are some scenes with bugs cut in half and gibs shown when an enemy dies.
There are some scenes with bugs cut in half and gibs shown when an enemy dies.
3 comments | Add comment
Yes
1
No
44
Yes
0
No
40