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
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
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  1. Littlest_Red
    Jun 28, 2023
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This season is the start of something great. I loved the direction of the characters, they're like caricatures of themselves. The dynamic of all of them together is great. The horror elements/mysteries are very engaging. It felt a bit like the writers/producers were just trying to throw everything at a wall (as far as horror tv series goes) and see what sticks, and whilst it's so wild and crazy here, it definitely gets a bit cleaner in the next seasons. Constance (Jessica Lange) is so iconic.… Expand
  2. Misterdiony
    May 17, 2021
    8
    The first season of AHS offered a lot in terms of characters and stories / side stories. While it was sometimes a bit confusing, it remained in my head for a while and I watched it multiple times already. Big props to Jessica Lange for an awesome and outstanding performance.
  3. LucaCritics
    Mar 28, 2020
    8
    American Horror Story Season 1 Review: 8/10
    Characters made the story of this first season an amazing one. Really incredible performance of the cast.
  4. Felindie
    Jul 15, 2019
    8
    A strong and convincing horror plot with great performance of Jessica Lange.
  5. gmonster320
    Nov 18, 2018
    8
    "Apocalypse" is not the worst season (I'm looking at you "Roanoke") but not the best either. That was "Asylum" IMHO. The show had enough going for it though to keep me watching. But I wasnt motivated enough to view during the original airing.

    "Apocalypse" continues to suffer from some of the issues as previous seasons. This season has a great setup with compelling characters. But it    "Apocalypse" is not the worst season (I'm looking at you "Roanoke") but not the best either. That was "Asylum" IMHO. The show had enough going for it though to keep me watching. But I wasnt motivated enough to view during the original airing.

    "Apocalypse" continues to suffer from some of the issues as previous seasons. This season has a great setup with compelling characters. But it struggles at times with too much filler. The plot gets bogged down. We were stuck in the bunker for three episodes until the action started. Word on the street is they are still writing the show while filming earlier episodes. Is that typical? Wouldnt it be better to have everything written first so they can make improvements across the series? I know that will definitely help with the show's structural holes.

    Also, as is typical of "AHS", "Apocalypse" has a hard time sticking the landing. They threw everything and the kitchen sink into this one. But based on the structure of the show it isnt that climatic. We already saw what could happen if the witches dont stop Michael. That took a bit of a kick away.

    On a more positive note, the actors continue to be wonderful in everything they do. One of the reason I keep coming back is because I love Sarah Paulson, Kathy Bates, Evan Peters and Jessica Lang eso much.

    I did enjoy the previous season tie-ins with "Apocalypse". I feel like that rewards those of us who have been faithfully watching for eight years. "Apocalypse' would also suit as a fitting series finale for the show. We know there are at least two more seasons of "AHS" though. Do you want to see more of "Apocalypse" or call it done? I think it's time to put a fork into it and move onto a different story.    … Expand
  6. Dsros96
    Oct 29, 2018
    7
    Interesting plot, based on actual events and characters. A good way to present and start this antology series.
  7. azzabar
    Oct 16, 2018
    3
    Bad, bad, bad, acting and a very bad story. This show is a joke. I don't get what people see in it.
  8. Dragonfly44
    Oct 12, 2018
    8
    The show starts off strong. It keeps you guessing and while sometimes confusing, you always want to know what happens next.

    Rating - 86%
  9. nilsy
    Oct 12, 2018
    7
    You should be aware anyone giving this a 10 is BONKERS.
    They dont actually think its 10 they are just being ... some kind of creepy "fan supporters" somehow they got a agenda they are not telling what they think are the truth.
    Think its a above average tv show but its very ambitious and does not quite manage to pull it off. Still if you have any desire at all to watch a horror show    You should be aware anyone giving this a 10 is BONKERS.
    They dont actually think its 10 they are just being ... some kind of creepy "fan supporters" somehow they got a agenda they are not telling what they think are the truth.

    Think its a above average tv show but its very ambitious and does not quite manage to pull it off.
    Still if you have any desire at all to watch a horror show this is basically as good as it gets, try find a better horror show on currently and you likely wont be able to find one.
    This is not the best season of it and not the worst.    … Expand
  10. MarceloPaz
    Oct 6, 2018
    8
    the plot is pretty confusing. I do not know if it was a good idea to put all this together, it seems to be a war in a world totally parallel to ours. The other seasons seemed to fit the current one better.
  11. SirSloppith
    Oct 2, 2018
    7
    Great show so far the horror theme is there some scenes are unneeded but still a strong show.
  12. jordanbelfort
    Oct 1, 2018
    7
    The first season did not have a good script
    Jessica Lange is a masterpiece
    I really enjoyed it
  13. hornysoul
    Sep 21, 2018
    6
    Esta temporada podia ter sido melhor, tendo em conta que é a primeira impressão com que ficamos sobre esta série (que já terá 10 temporadas, pelo menos). A história é boa, os personagens são interessantes, porém, alguns ficaram a "comer pó" e foram pouco explorados. Alguns momentos assustadores ali, outros acolá... Nada de especial.
  14. jackaz15
    Aug 29, 2018
    8
    Despite tiresome characters and muddled plot threads, Murder House was unique and macabre thanks to its enticing direction, campy tone, and atmospheric tension. (8/10)
  15. monikli
    Jun 27, 2018
    9
    It is the best season of the whole series, the world they recreate, how the real world connects with the supernatural, in short, the suspense offered by the plot leaves one watching the television, waiting for the next episode with great anxiety. Also, the actors do a job, for me, excellent.
  16. crose898
    Jun 16, 2018
    10
    One of my favorite shows of all time that broke me out of my being scared of horror shell. Murder House will always be my favorite AHS season with such an excellent cast, my favorites being Evan Peters, Taissa Farmiga, Sarah Paulson, & Jessica Lange.
  17. erica1993
    May 7, 2018
    0
    I was a huge fan of american horror story ! BUT THIS ONE SUCKED! I was hoping this one would of been better then the last one but this one was worse ! Dont waste your time watching this crappy show lol
    hope for next season is better :)
  18. PleasantPeasant
    May 4, 2018
    7
    This season wasn’t amazing, but was much better than seasons to come. It wasn’t as creepy or unnerving as I wanted it to be; it was simply disturbing and odd. The story can get pretty unfocused and convoluted, but the interesting plot threads kept me intruiged.
  19. partyfavor
    Apr 25, 2018
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. AHS:Murder House was a great kick-off to the series. It showed the trademark of the AHS series, disturbing imagery, fun and quirky moments. It is good for the first few episodes but it honestly became a hot mess after the supposedly "comic" scene after the Hispanic family moves in the Murder House. What a mess. Thankfully though, Jessica Lange delivered her acting skills.… Expand
  20. WorldofLucky
    Feb 3, 2018
    7
    I have to admit it was better than I expected from an American television series.

    Originally the show didn’t have a name for each season, and was known only as “American Horror Story” however the name has been updated to “Murder House” to distinguish it from the seasons that follow (each named differently). I watched this show originally when it came out for several episodes. I    I have to admit it was better than I expected from an American television series.

    Originally the show didn’t have a name for each season, and was known only as “American Horror Story” however the name has been updated to “Murder House” to distinguish it from the seasons that follow (each named differently).

    I watched this show originally when it came out for several episodes. I remembered liking it, but I don’t remember why I stopped watching.

    The story itself was pretty good, they layered on many stories in the house and intertwined them. Most of the story is in current day, with flashbacks, so in that sense it is a traditional horror story. The didn’t shrink back from the season finale like I was worried.

    However, the best part I think is the way the series itself is set up. Each season is a different story, but uses a lot of the same actors in different roles. I am currently finishing season 2, a fully different story, most of the same actors and the whole idea of doing the show like this actually exceeds the content of the season itself.

    Pros: There are enough different substories combined with enough good actors you should be able to find something interesting.

    Cons: The Murder House story itself isn’t the most unique storyline, enjoyable but not unique.

    It has me bought into the show enough I will continue with the next season.    … Expand
  21. ndyines
    Jan 19, 2018
    8
    I agree if AHS is great, but not all of them. I like "Murder House" because the story is sad, "Coven" because the story is fun and sweet, "Hotel" because the story is so elegant and I feel enjoy in this season, even more, I like Lady Gaga and Matt Bomer's performance. And don't forget about Evan Peters as leading role in AHS, he can play anything.
  22. panslabyrinth
    Dec 8, 2017
    8
    Murder House is what strated the frenzy of American Horror Story, and after all these years, the show's source material still holds up greatly making it one of the better seasons this show has presented. Despite, the show does ironically get lost in its own complexity, due to the constant urge to present some extremely original plot points that it just gets overwhelmed with charaters, whomMurder House is what strated the frenzy of American Horror Story, and after all these years, the show's source material still holds up greatly making it one of the better seasons this show has presented. Despite, the show does ironically get lost in its own complexity, due to the constant urge to present some extremely original plot points that it just gets overwhelmed with charaters, whom are speaking of, not very likable.… Expand
  23. LeonardoAmato
    Nov 16, 2017
    8
    American Horror Story is an anthology horror flick brilliantly written, directed and acted. And the thing that makes this show special is the fact that despite the title, this is not just a horror story. Characters are well-developed and none of them is forgiven by Ryan Murphy. It shows that humans are the real horrors. Surely one of the best series of the decades, Murphy brings on tv aAmerican Horror Story is an anthology horror flick brilliantly written, directed and acted. And the thing that makes this show special is the fact that despite the title, this is not just a horror story. Characters are well-developed and none of them is forgiven by Ryan Murphy. It shows that humans are the real horrors. Surely one of the best series of the decades, Murphy brings on tv a charming Gothic vision of our messy world. I only think that the last seasons were weaker than the first ones, but still AHS didn't lose its power.… Expand
  24. Gjmzvs
    Oct 20, 2017
    10
    It wasn't the best season, but it's so good at all, all the characters had something special and the story it's creative, I'd say it's one of the best season.
  25. giantpegasus123
    Oct 3, 2017
    7
    Once you hit episode 5, the beginning, this becomes much less of an obvious trump bash as a non-partisan look at how everyone tends to focus on big elections when the small ones are what really matter most from the bottom up. How we tend to have to label as part of a group. I was about to be done with this show, im no big fan of Trump, but the trope of just constantly bashing him is lazyOnce you hit episode 5, the beginning, this becomes much less of an obvious trump bash as a non-partisan look at how everyone tends to focus on big elections when the small ones are what really matter most from the bottom up. How we tend to have to label as part of a group. I was about to be done with this show, im no big fan of Trump, but the trope of just constantly bashing him is lazy and old. This may end up being one of the best seasons.… Expand
  26. tmk
    Sep 25, 2017
    0
    I was a fan until season 7. Just like the emmy's and NFL, this has fallen to the extreme left perspective. It is packed with biased agendas distracting from real entertainment. It has fallen off my DVR list.
  27. EdCastillo
    Jul 25, 2017
    10
    Slaaaaaaay Ryan slaaaaaay!!!
    All seasons are awsome, Murder House, Asylum, Coven, Freak Show, Hotel, Roanke, and i know than Cult will be a great season too
  28. whitmorgan7
    Mar 10, 2017
    9
    American Horror Story is one of my favorite TV shows on air, and probably one of my favorites of all time. Ryan Murphy really goes there with everything he does, and gives it everything he's got. He loves to implement a shock factor and makes everything creepy fun. While some seasons have suffered, most have lived up to the hype. My favorite seasons are Murder House (1) and Coven (3).American Horror Story is one of my favorite TV shows on air, and probably one of my favorites of all time. Ryan Murphy really goes there with everything he does, and gives it everything he's got. He loves to implement a shock factor and makes everything creepy fun. While some seasons have suffered, most have lived up to the hype. My favorite seasons are Murder House (1) and Coven (3). Honestly, I really enjoyed My Roanoke Nightmare (6) as well, while most people did not. The actors in this show are also top notch. You fall in love with each one of them and the many different characters they take on.… Expand
  29. Rabidprimate
    Nov 2, 2016
    3
    Decent tv show but its so sexist its almost unwatchable at times. First season was basically bitter women hating men. If you can trudge through the bigotry theirs a good show but would you watch a show that said n i g g e r every 10 min because the other 9 min was good?
  30. lms08
    Oct 20, 2016
    8
    One of the best shows that has aired across FX, is American Horror Story. The first season pushed emotional and mental boundaries. It plays with your biggest fears and brings them to life. This season revolved around a house later named “Murder House”. The Murder House is the house of your nightmares. People in the house are trying to kill the main characters and their fight to surviveOne of the best shows that has aired across FX, is American Horror Story. The first season pushed emotional and mental boundaries. It plays with your biggest fears and brings them to life. This season revolved around a house later named “Murder House”. The Murder House is the house of your nightmares. People in the house are trying to kill the main characters and their fight to survive lasts the entire season. Even though each episode makes me even more scared than the last, I keep hitting the next episode button.
    The first episode starts off with a little girl standing in front of the house. When two boys walk up to the house swinging baseball bats, she tells them that they are going to die in there. The two boys told her to shut up and walked into the house. Once inside, they started vandalizing the main level, then the door to the basement suddenly swings open. They both decide to explore the basement and walk down together. On the way down to the basement one of the boys started throwing down firecrackers. In the basement, they see jars full of body parts, courtesy of the very first owners, and start to get a little scared. The one who wasn’t throwing firecrackers heads upstairs but stops suddenly when he hears silence. He turns back around to go search for his brother. When he finds his brother, his body is covered in scratches. When he turns around to run back upstairs he sees the person that killed his brother and screamed in terror.
    The rest of the season is centered around Vivian Harmon, her husband Ben, and their daughter, Violet. After Vivian had a miscarriage, she catches her husband cheating. Ben and Vivian decide to move to California in hopes of rekindling their love. Once they moved into their house, strange things started happening. Ben is a psychologist so he can move anywhere and still get clients. One of his clients, Tate Langdon, who instantly falls in love with Violet, gets more sessions with Ben so he can see her more often. There is only one problem with Tate; he is dead and is stuck in the house. On the outside Tate is nice, sweet and compassionate, but he also has an evil side. Tate died because he went to school and started to shoot people. After he shot them he went home. The SWAT team was called, they came to his house, and they shot him. Throughout the first season the Harmons fight to stay alive and get out of the house.
    This first season alone has a lot of characters, but they find a way to make it work. Each character has a different story and each story interacts and are woven together perfectly. Every character brings you deeper and deeper into the story making you want more and more.
    The cast was stacked in the first season. You have Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott, Jessica Lange, Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, Taissa Farmiga, Zachary Quinto, Frances Conroy, and Denis O’Hare. One of the bigger stars in this group is Jessica Lange. She is one of the most talented actresses ever. Her most notorious role was in the 1976 version of King Kong. Her acting skills are top notch. In Murder House she plays Tate’s mother, Constance. She didn’t understand why her son shot those people so she asked Ben to have sessions with him. She often visits the house to see her son Tate and another son that she killed named Bo. During this season she tries to get the Harmons to leave the house, she loses a daughter, and she gains a grandchild.
    The emotions that these actor bring are the level of acting that make you feel like you are right there with them on screen. On the other hand, this doesn’t mean that the storyline is believable. Throughout the season they try to leave the house but because of their financial situation they are stuck in the house. When they try to sell the house no one wants to buy it nor do any realtors want to sell it. There is only one realtor that is willing to try but that is the realtor that sold them the house.
    With Vivien and Ben focusing all of their attention on the house and the new babies on the way, they start to forget about Violet. They didn’t even notice that she hasn’t been going to school for three straight weeks. Another bad part about AHS is the fact that they only have 13 episodes per season. Those episodes are filled tight with information. Each time you learn more about a character or even a new character. You even go back in time to see what happened to each character and why they are stuck in the house.
    Overall this show is amazingly fantastic. It will captivate you from episode 1 to episode 13. It will give you new fears and make your old ones seem ten times worse.    … Expand
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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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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.
    Read full review
  2. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    Oct 5, 2011
    50
    American Horror Story, from Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk of "Glee" and "Nip/Tuck," is a very standard creep-fest, an aggressively stylized mash-up of familiar haunted-house movies including "The Amityville Horror," "The Haunting," and "The Shining."
    Read full review
  3. 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.
    Read full review
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