American Horror Story

:

Season 1
  • Network: FX
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 5, 2011
Season #: 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 30
  3. Negative: 3 out of 30
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Critic Reviews

  1. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Oct 5, 2011
    91
    I loved the pilot, mostly because I could never predict where the story was going, a rarity in prime-time TV.
  2. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    Oct 5, 2011
    90
    Repellent and fascinating, a stygian nightmare awash in sick lusts, it seems certain to attract large audiences and huge controversy.
  3. San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times
    Reviewed by: Chuck Barney
    Sep 30, 2011
    88
    Most TV shows, after all, quickly fade from memory. This one will haunt your dreams.
  5. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    Sep 30, 2011
    88
    It's funny and moves blindingly fast, barely giving you time to blink or gulp--Dark Shadows for the PlayStation age. [10 Oct 2011, p.39]
    All this critic's reviews
  6. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    Sep 29, 2011
    83
    AHS is pretty much all scare, all the time: a whole lotta screams, sex, jolts, mashed faces, psychotic behavior, and dead babies.
  7. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    Sep 21, 2011
    83
    Overdoing things is one of Murphy's trademark flaws, but this show has a captivating style and giddy gross-outs.
  8. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Emily Nussbaum
    Dec 8, 2011
    80
    The show may be ridiculous, but the humiliation and panic feel real. And there's something to be said for surprise.
  9. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Storm
    Oct 4, 2011
    80
    American Horror Story may not rank that high on a TV list, but fans of this kind of thing will want to chop themselves in half, strangle in a bathtub, and slit their throats--just to name a few of the things that happen in the first two episodes--if they miss it.
  10. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Oct 5, 2011
    75
    Amusing to watch, but not particularly scary. "Creepy" seems the better word.
  11. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Oct 5, 2011
    75
    It's a lot to process, and at times too much to take. Still, Horror Story often is a wonder.
  12. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Oct 4, 2011
    75
    Even if it isn't the scariest series ever, Horror Story still has tasty performances by several characters, chief among them Lange and Conroy.
  13. Slate
    Reviewed by: Troy Patterson
    Oct 5, 2011
    70
    So far, American Horror Story isn't the great American horror story but rather a pretty good fright night.
  14. Time
    Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    Oct 5, 2011
    70
    It's a big download of fever-dream melodrama, but strong casting goes a long way toward selling it.
  15. Zap2it (Inside the Box)
    Reviewed by: Andrea Reiher
    Oct 5, 2011
    70
    If horror is your thing, you should definitely check it out for a few episodes and decide for yourself.
  16. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Phillip Maciak
    Oct 4, 2011
    63
    As stunning, seamless, and well-curated as this particular mixtape is, the viewer is haunted by the constant anxiety that, in the end, there's nothing holding it all together other than good taste.

Awards & Rankings

84
#84 Best TV Season of 2011
4
#4 Most Discussed TV Season of 2011
3
#3 Most Shared TV Season of 2011

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 1190 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,003 out of 1190
  2. Mixed: 121 out of 1190
  3. Negative: 66 out of 1190
  1. frozenpinky
    Nov 29, 2011
    9
    Most people like to say "AMERICAN HORROR" in the same breath as "WALKING DEAD". Two TV shows about scary things. I'll tell you why AMERICANMost people like to say "AMERICAN HORROR" in the same breath as "WALKING DEAD". Two TV shows about scary things. I'll tell you why AMERICAN HORROR STORY is six times better:

    Story - by far AMERICAN HORROR, a more compelling story arc with great use of setting up mystery with horror along with utilizing flashback's that tie up all questions. It's always entertaining and never dull. Walking Dead feels as if they're dragging out story arcs to the point where there's too much down time. The subplots/love triangles and such side stories are making me feel like I'm watch an episode of Grey's Anatomy. Acting - no doubt AMERICAN HORROR has some the cream of the crop acting. When I watch it, I don't feel like I'm watching someone act the way I do when I watch WALKING DEAD.

    Suspense - not only is every episode of AMERICAN HORROR suspenseful, but almost every other scene is as well!

    Cinematography - every camera angle is well thought out in AMERICAN HORROR. Not only that, but the quality looks better/filmed better: better lights/darks/contrast (not to mention better sound)

    Consistency - there hasn't been a bad episode of AMERICAN HORROR, while there's been plenty of lackluster episodes of WALKING DEAD.

    Opening Credits - i used to think WALKING DEAD had the best opening credits with awesome textures and whatnot... until AMERICAN HORROR came out. Great textured visuals, creepy shaky imagery, dark-audio and twisted editing.

    Sum-up - on paper, i'd choose Walking Dead. But after watching Walking Dead, it's just too much. I love zombies as much as the next person, but I'll be the first to say we all like zombies BUT in small doses: two hour movie... thirty minute zombie scene here... there....etc But not for a season, let alone three. We all loved Newman on Seinfeld. He's the best - in SMALL doses! We wouldnt want a TV series about Newman.    … Full Review »
  2. heartbrave
    Oct 6, 2011
    10
    This show did a good job at keeping viewers wanting more. Other than the show "Supernatural", this is the only show with a horror theme onThis show did a good job at keeping viewers wanting more. Other than the show "Supernatural", this is the only show with a horror theme on basic cable. The Pilot is one of the best I've seen the fall season so far. This show is an example why well written shows and good actors makes for great television.… Full Review »
  3. AlexS67
    Dec 14, 2011
    1
    A potpourri of the horror genre cliches, helplessly aimless blundering embarrassment. Frantic - and deadeningly boring at the same time. AA potpourri of the horror genre cliches, helplessly aimless blundering embarrassment. Frantic - and deadeningly boring at the same time. A waste of everything invested in the project, including the viewers' time. I quit watching it midseason.… Full Review »
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