Summary

"Bestie" episode of American Horror Stories is a fan favorite with strong themes of loneliness and online culture.
Fans have noted plot holes in "Bestie," questioning how the character sustains herself in an abandoned house.
Despite some unanswered questions, "Bestie" is praised for its dark storyline, like other intriguing episodes in the series.

Some horror anthologies don't add anything new to the tropes they explore, but most American Horror Stories episodes are a wild and enjoyable ride. Although the episode "Backrooms" doesn't fully examine the lore it's based on, the season 3 episode "Bestie" is a fan-favorite. It streamed on FX on Hulu in October 2023 and starred Emma Halleen as Shelby Brubacker, a lonely adolescent who becomes entangled with an online friend named Bestie (Jessica Barden).

No matter how many seasons of American Horror Stories come out, fans will always want to talk about "Bestie," whether they're discussing themes of loneliness, online culture's affect on young adults, and grief or the twist at the end. I agree that it's a strong episode, and it's definitely one I've been thinking about ever since I first watched it. However, after reading about a plot hole that a fan pointed out, I'm also convinced that one part of the episode doesn't make sense.

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By Aya Tsintziras

Fans Noticed One American Horror Stories "Bestie" Plot Hole & It Brings Up Some Questions

Characters at school in American Horror Stories Bestie episode

In a Reddit thread, one fan asked some intriguing questions about the American Horror Stories episode "Bestie" and wrote:

"How/why was bestie living in an abandoned housing project? How did she have electricity, water, or internet there? How did she get food?"

Redditor @Picabo07 replied:

"I wondered that too. They left a lot open there."

This is a great point, and now I'm thinking about it, too. I wonder how Bestie can live in this old house without anyone noticing. That's not the hardest thing to believe, and it doesn't ruin the episode. However, it doesn't make sense that she would have Internet access and electricity. It also seems unlikely that she would have enough money to buy groceries or clothes. Sure, it's possible that River Wallace (Allius Barnes), Shelby's love interest, who Bestie manipulates, brings her food and other items. But how long can that go on for, and how long has Bestie known River? Maybe Bestie has been manipulating several online friends for years and getting them to bring her stuff. But if that's the case, then I think the episode should have explained that.

Since several American Horror Stories episodes, like "Lake," involve the supernatural, I would have liked to see some paranormal elements in "Bestie." I think that would have helped explain any potential plot holes or confusing moments. Some fans have wondered if Bestie was actually dead the entire time, and I was wondering about that, too. If Bestie was a ghost, then perhaps she would have had the power to turn on the abandoned house's electricity and also set up an Internet connection. Sure, that might have been a bit corny, but I think it would have fit the tone of the episode.

Both "Bestie" and the Black Mirror season 7 episode "Bête Noire" explore complex and, ultimately, dangerous friendships, and I can still appreciate "Bestie" for the thought-provoking story that it is. It's easy enough to ignore the questions about Internet access and electricity and focus on the dark journey that Bestie sends Shelby on. Still, it would have been great if some of these queries were answered, even briefly.

Fans Have Some Other Thoughts About The American Horror Stories "Bestie" Episode

Shelby (Emma Halleen) and River (Allius Barnes) on American Horror Stories Bestie

While fans appreciate the American Horror Stories episode "Bestie," they have some criticisms of the storyline and characters. In another Reddit thread, a fan posted that they thought Bestie was the teacher Mr. Nevin's (Jeff Hiller) child. Several other viewers wondered about that, too, and it would have been a huge reveal. Another posted:

"I'm so bummed we didn't get any background on bestie at all."

I agree that more of Bestie's history would have been compelling to hear about, and while fans do find out some things about her life, there aren't enough details. In another thread, a fan wondered if there would be a big reveal about River and wrote:

"I was expecting either the guy to secretly be Bestie or the bestie being some sort of manipulative spirit. Anyone else?"

I agree that by the end of the episode, a few questions are left unanswered. But, like the season 3 episode "Tapeworm," "Bestie" is interesting and creepy, and those are two things that I'm always looking for in an episode of American Horror Stories.

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