Each season of Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story is terrifying in its own right. But there is something special about season 1, which is called Murder House. With strong performances from Connie Britton and Taissa Farmiga, these 12 episodes prove why the TV series continues to shock fans year after year. Each season has a different focus ranging from the circus to New York City. The show does a great job of rotating the same actors and having them play equally eerie and dark characters who rival the most gripping and unnerving horror movie villains.
While the spinoff American Horror Stories is compelling and eerie, American Horror Story season 1 remains popular and acclaimed. Everything is on point, from the haunted house setting to the mysterious Rubber Man. What happens during American Horror Story season 1 and what makes it such a memorable group of episodes?
What is American Horror Story Season 1 About?
American Horror Story season 1 is about the Harmons, who begin living in a haunted house. Dr. Ben Harmon (Dylan McDermott) and Vivien Harmon (Connie Britton) are having a tough time in their marriage because of infertility, and their teenage daughter Violet Harmon (Taissa Farmiga) is at a critical time in her life.
There are some very creepy characters in American Horror Story season 1, which makes it one of the best seasons of AHS. Constance Langdon (Jessica Lange) is a stand-out character. She lives next door and wants to kidnap one of the twin babies that Vivien gives birth to. There are also Larry Harvey (Denis O'Hare) and Tate Langdon (Evan Peters). Larry used to live in the Harmon's new home and is called The Burned Man as his face is marked. Tate is a ghost who is also the Rubber Man,
No matter what order someone watches American Horror Story, season 1 is always going to be an unforgettable one. Vivien and Violet both have fascinating and entertaining storylines. The show delves into the difficult topic of infertility and Vivien's desire to be pregnant again is treated carefully. Violet becomes interested in Tate, and this is her downfall since he's one of the scariest American Horror Story villains.
How Does American Horror Story Season 1 End?
The ending of American Horror Story season 1 is as disturbing as the entire series can be. In episode 12 called "Afterbirth," the Harmons are dealing with their dark and devastating reality. Murder House is like some of the best haunted house horror movies: surprising, disturbing, and proof that this is still one of the most impressive and exciting horror settings. There's something about knowing that anything could be hiding in the walls of the house that makes it hard to stop watching AHS season 1.
Vivien and Violet have both died and are ghosts who are haunting the house. Vivien gave birth to her twins, but one of them passed away, which is terrible to watch. Hayden McClaine (Kate Mara) murders Ben when he tries to follow Vivien's advice and move away with the twin who has survived. Taissa Farmiga, who will star in The Nun 2 as Sister Irene again, is no stranger to the horror genre. And she is perfectly cast here as a sad teenager who is struggling to come of age while dealing with her difficult family life. It makes sense that she is drawn to Tate, who is clearly bad news from the moment that he is introduced on screen.
The Harmon family finds a strange sort of peace in the afterlife, and they get ready for Christmas. Tate decides that he's going to be patient so he can finally be with Violet in the future. While it's creepy watching Tate obsess over Violet, American Horror Story does a good job of helping viewers understand why she likes him so much. AHS turns the rebellious teenage love interest character on its head. Instead of Tate simply being someone who is up to no good and getting into constant trouble at school, he's literally an evil ghost. Evan Peters, who played Quicksilver in Wandavision, is suitably creepy in every single scene that he is in.
The ending of American Horror Story season 1 has a chilling final image. Three years have passed and Vivien's baby who survived is a toddler. Constance sees the baby and realizes that they resemble Tate, and then finds out that the child killed their nanny. Jessica Lange is one of the best recurring American Horror Story recurring actors and Constance is one of her best characters. She's tough and terrifying yet the house still manages to freak her out, which proves how no one can get out alive.