American Horror Story: 1984 (2019)
…………………………………………………
American Horror Story: 1984 Review
The ninth season of American Horror Story is called 1984. It’s not only extremely entertaining, but genuinely well-crafted on many levels.
………………………………………………….
“Everyone you see here is likely to kill you“
…………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………..
The season happens in the titular year, and is thus heavily influenced by the many slasher films of the eighties. But where the show excels is in parodying these elements, and rarely have I seen a funnier horror comedy than this one. I would honestly call this particular season a full-on comedy how hilarious it frequently is, but that did cost it the scariness factor. It is incredibly brutal at times, but never at all creepy in any shape or form.
But it is genuinely funny, and so damn fun throughout. This is by far the most engaging season of AHS ever, and also its best crafted one. That’s why this is my personal favorite season. I can get the argument that ‘Freak Show’ and ‘Asylum’ are better, but this is actually where the show reached its peak personally speaking. The dialogue is so clever, the scenarios are really well played out, and the season is also immensely emotional at times, especially in its ending.
It’s quite moving because the character development is so strong, at least for the most part. Let’s talk about each and every character here. This is the season where Ryan Murphy brought in some old favorites of ‘Glee’ and ‘Pose’ fame as well some older seasons of this show, and that was a great choice to counter the many stars leaving the show in recent years unfortunately.
…………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………..
I found Finn Wittrock’s role excellent. He only appeared in the last episode, but he was terrific in it. They closed the season so well by circling the Richter family and giving them closure. I found Benjamin a very complex figure, and his backstory is absolutely fantastic. Lily Rabe was superb as his mother, and this was to me the heart and soul of the entire season, especially its second half. It was the emotional anchor, and it genuinely moved me in the end.
Dylan McDermott as this killer psychopath is also terrific, and the show benefits from many truly outstanding villains. Gus Kenworthy is quite forgettable, but Matthew Morrison is quite memorable in a very well written role.
Emma Roberts is wonderful as Brooke. You root for her for how unjust her situation and her life have been, and she’s such a terrific main character who also has a strong moral center. Cody Fern’s Xavier started off strongly, but fizzled out eventually. But Angelica Ross as Rita is so damn good. It was wonderful seeing Candy from ‘Pose’ here, and I am so glad that she as a trans actress got to play a cisgender woman. Her arc is excellent, and I found her friendship with Brooke amazing, and the two have such a great dynamic together.
…………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………..
Billie Lourd was so awful and horrendous throughout the season that she ultimately got redeemed way too quickly. I liked that redemption and forgiveness and kindness angle, but still it felt too unrealistic. Her performance is excellent per usual, though. Zach Villa as Ramirez is a terrific archetypal 80s slasher monster, and so badass throughout the season. But the standout villain has to be Margaret Booth, so stupendously played by Leslie Grossman. She is genuinely irredeemable, so horrible, so manipulative and just a lot of over-the-top, good old-fashioned villainy fun.
1984 is also well shot, and utilizing on its decade stupendously, though way too over-the-nose at times. The backstories and flashbacks for once worked out splendidly, and some of them are downright brilliant. Some episodes aren’t great and overall the first half isn’t all that great, but the second one is emotionally rewarding and simply incredibly entertaining. Thus, it’s in my opinion the best ever season of American Horror Story and easily the most fun one.
Worst Episodes: Camp Redwood and Mr. Jingles.
Best Episodes: The Lady in White and Final Girl.
