American Horror Story - Review

“The darkness. It has me” – A review of American Horror Story. 

Anyone who knows me will tell you I love anything vaguely related to Halloween. I grew up on a diet of emo music, Tim Burton movies and sharing scary stories with my siblings at night. This is something that has never left me, and as I’m writing this, we are fast approaching Halloween, so it feels like the perfect time to revisit one of my favourite horror series of all time – American Horror Story.

American Horror Story, or AHS for short, is a long running series that began in 2011 after being created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuck. Each season is its own story, although there are call backs and references to previous characters and story lines throughout, and the show blends supernatural and psychological horror with dark satire to create something truly unnerving and intriguing.

The structure of the show is one of the biggest reasons I enjoy it so much. Each season has a different theme and storyline, from series one, “Murder House”, a haunted house story, to series centred around witches’ covens and asylums. The way the show reinvents itself allows for new characters and story arcs to appear, new threats and protagonists, and for new dark themes to be explored.

The anthology structure makes each series have a filmlike quality to it, especially when actors return to play new roles. I love the unpredictable nature of the show, and I really enjoy the way it is able to explore multiple subgenres, such as Gothic horror and slashers. That being said, there are definitely seasons which I feel are better than others. Coven, Murder House and Freak Show stand out to me as fantastic seasons, whilst I really struggled to get through Roanoke. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing though; there’s something for every horror fan, whatever their preferred genre is.

Aside from the horror themes, AHS isn’t afraid to tackle social themes either, leading to controversy and acclaim. It goes without saying that AHS takes a look at the darker sides of American history and culture, but it does so whilst exploring issues such as prejudice, power, societal norms and identity. No subject seems to be taboo, and these issues are often handled with elements of satire, and this mix of realism and absurdism is incredibly compelling.

Another strength of AHS is the atmosphere and style of the show. The opening music is iconic and instantly recognisable, the production design is unsettling and atmospheric, and the cinematography is dramatic and vivid. All of this helps to make each season truly immersive, and with references to classic horror stories popping up throughout, this show is a love letter to horror fans.

The acting also cannot be ignored. The cast of AHS has some incredible names; Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange Evan Peters, Kathy Bates and Angela Bassett are among some of the incredibly talented names involved, and they all have the remarkable ability to play incredibly diverse roles across multiple seasons. These actors have remarkable range and are able to play complex and often morally complicated characters, making for often upsetting but always compelling viewing.

I really love American Horror Story. Whilst I am not the biggest fan of every season, when it’s good, it’s great. Addictive, dark and inventive, AHS has left an incredible mark on the horror genre. The anthology format keeps it from growing stale, the strong performances make for characters you either love or love to hate, and the unsettling themes make for a perfect watch for spooky month. If you’re a fan of horror, I cannot recommend this show enough, but be warned: if you start watching, you may be unable to stop.

“The only way out is through. So, feel the fear and the pain. Let it all in and then let it all go.”

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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