I promised a review of American Horror Story, season 9, when I got around to watching it… and I’m a man of my word. What are the odds that I could be talking about two properties with ‘1984’ in the title in the same month? Not high, I’d reckon. Yes, I ranked seasons 1-8 of American Horror Story in a previous post and rested, following on from the information that the majority of the usual cast of AHS did not get a gig for 1984. Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Cody Fern and Leslie Grossman return, with John Carroll Lynch bumped up to a main role for the first time; Lily Rabe and Dylan McDermott also guest star, among others. But no Sarah Paulson, and no Evan Peters, who have nurtured this baby since the beginning; isn’t that horrific enough?! I’m now completely up to date, and awaiting a tenth season that is rumoured to feature all the major stars returning; providing filming can ever get around this blasted COVID-19. Can’t wait!
American Horror Story: 1984 is probably the twistiest season of them all, and that’s saying something, considering some seasons even feature a character named Twisty the Clown; ah, thank-you. I did a good thing; I was able to binge episodes 2-5, which cover the events of the same crazy night at the murderous Camp Redwood. I think those four episodes are the pinnacle of this season, and I think that binging them in one hit is best way to watch them; commiserations for anyone who chose to watch them week-to-week. That night, like a true slasher flick, puts all our characters through the ringer, and pulls out all the stops to create massive character revelations at every turn. As the premise goes, sexy teens Brooke Thompson (Emma Roberts), Montana (Billie Lourd), Xavier (Cody Fern), Ray (DeRon Horton), and Chet (Gus Kenworthy) take summer jobs working at a newly-reopened Camp Redwood, brought back into operation by Margaret Booth (Leslie Grossman); the only surviving victim of a massacre at the campsite fourteen years prior, at the hands of psychotic killer named Mr. Jingles (John Carroll Lynch). To make matters worse, there’s a Satan-worshipping Night Stalker (Zach Villa) on the prowl, with a personal grudge against Brooke. From there, it wouldn’t be American Horror Story unless horror ensued, where friends became enemies and enemies became friends.
At its best, this season kind’ve retreads Roanoke, with its refined aesthetics (this time, the colourful joy and optimism of the 1980s), and fast-paced story, breaking the season into two parts – you would think I would love it, since I value Roanoke so high, but after the enthralling thrills of the first half subside in 1984, watching the second half is like being on the road to nowhere. The characters aren’t as interesting as I initially expected they could be, and the show spins its wheels looking back at the first set of episodes that were really good. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that not even all filming took place; the Mr. Jingles story arc wraps up so abruptly, whilst characters like Bertie the Cook (Tara Karsian) and Jonas the camper (Lou Taylor Pucci), to name a few, could have been more integral to the story if they were given more time; other characters are completely one-dimensional. 1984 has the lowest number of episodes of any American Horror Story season, falling one less than last season, and four episodes shorter than AHS in its most popular day. The story has everyone intertwining and crossing-over as the best seasons do, but I just found myself less captivated the more it went on. I think the season plays up Mr. Jingles and the Night Stalker to be more interesting than they actually are too, which is sad since John Carroll Lynch is finally given a meatier role, and as much as I really enjoyed Leslie Grossman in Apocalypse, I couldn’t help but long for the hue of Sarah Paulson fulfilling that role instead. At least this season got to do something else that AHS loves; that is, to have constant death, and repeated deaths, with ghosts and flashbacks. Positively, Billie Lourd is a peach; dressed in her leotard, and providing a few scenes in the gym going through an aerobic routine with such passion I’d swear she was plucked straight from the eighties. I think it’s funny how Billie Lourd and Emma Roberts essentially keep swapping turns, as to who is going to play the sharp-tongued diva from season to season and at the moment, I always get drawn to the one playing with the most edge.
For my overall rankings of American Horror Story, where does 1984 fit? It’s certainly among the weaker seasons, and how far down the list does it fall? Sorry, but I think 1984 is at the bottom-ist most-bottom in my eyes, as the worst season to date. As a disposable thrill-ride, I think it’s still worth it’s time, but the potential of those first few episodes unfortunately don’t carry on all the way out. Surprising, with a smallest tally of episodes, 1984 still flails flatly to fill its quota. I’m a sucker for a story where all the characters unite at the end though, and where a location that becomes awash with history too; conceptually 1984 is golden, and I’m really glad that American Horror Story has explored the genre of the slasher. After watching this latest season, I’m still keen for the next idea to come from Ryan Murphy and the co-creators of the show, and hope it can retain the excitement of its more compelling explorations.
Leave a Reply