To close out September, screenwriter and creator Ryan Murphy dropped the first three episodes of the new season of the infamous TV show “American Horror Story.” Households across the globe switched on their TVs to witness the absolute madness and peculiar storytelling.
To celebrate this new season, I want to take a walk down memory lane and reminisce about my all-time favorite seasons.
- Season 3 – “Coven”
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Season 3 follows the story of a coven of witches who learn to protect themselves against hunters and voodoo magic.
The vibrant setting of New Orleans completely immersed me, and each character kept me invested. This season is the most rewatchable for me because it includes intriguing storylines, drama and even a cameo from singer Stevie Nicks.ย ย
- Season 1 – “Murder House”
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For me, this season is the most iconic. The plot centers around a family moving into a house haunted by the ghosts of its past owners.
The dialogue is superb, and I still quote many lines from this season to this day.ย ย
- Season 8 – “Apocalypse”
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This one is controversial, I know.
This season takes place in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic society after nuclear weapons destroy humanity. Many people criticize this season for a confusing plot or too much fan service, but I enjoyed seeing characters from past seasons return.ย ย
- Season 5 – “Hotel”
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This season had many standout performances from actors such as Kathy Bates, Evan Peters and even Lady Gaga. The plot focuses on a hotel in Los Angeles called Hotel Cortez, which is haunted by ghosts and killers.
While this season is a little more violent than its predecessors, it’s counteracted by the amazing cinematography and acting performances.ย ย
- Season 2 – “Asylum”
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This season follows a mental hospital that wrongfully treats patients and the journalist who’s trying to expose it.
This season was one of the scarier seasons for me. Its dark and realistic subjects created an unnerving atmosphere.ย
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- Season 4 – “Freak Show”
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Even though this season is criticized for focusing on drama instead of horror, I think the message is very important. The phrase โweโre all freaksโ is associated with the season, reminding everyone to embrace their differences.
It was also easy to get attached to the characters and root for them, despite their flaws.
- Season 7 – “Cult”
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This season was by far the scariest one for me. It tackled real-world topics such as phobias, cults and politics.
The horror hit very close to home for me because instead of villainizing witches or ghosts, humans were the primary perpetrators of violence.ย
- Season 6 – “Roanoke”
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Roanoke utilizes a more realistic and found-footage style of storytelling. While watching, it felt like I was also involved in the horror with the characters on screen.
The comedic quips and relief are entirely absent from this season, steering it towards a dark and melancholy story instead.ย ย
- Season 9 – “1984”
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Season 9 takes place at a typical summer camp that turns into a classic slasher film, taking inspiration from movies such as “Scream” or “Friday the 13th.”
The plot revolves around traditional murder mystery plotlines. It was nothing new or special, but it was a very fun watch.ย
- Season 12 – “Delicate”
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In this season, the main heroine undergoes a horrific pregnancy with a demon baby. Though, the season was weighed down by its short episodes and stale performance by Kim Kardashian as the main villain.
However, it was fun for me to see Emma Roberts return in another leading role.ย
- Season 10 – “Double Feature”
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In a confusing fashion, Season 10 was divided into two parts: one about aliens and conspiracy theories, and the other about vampires.
The premise initially interested me, but the two sections failed to connect in any way. As a result, the season left me feeling underwhelmed and unfulfilled.
- Season 11 – “NYC”
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The choice to exclude supernatural creatures or fanatical elements led me to lose interest in this season entirely.
The characters were difficult to become attached to and root for. The season came off as dull and dragged out, and it seemed to be missing the elements that made the show so interesting to watch in other seasons.
Even though there have been some hits and misses throughout the years, “American Horror Story” has still cemented itself as an important piece of pop culture. I am excited to see how the 13th season pans out!