American Horror Story

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Season 5
  • Network: FX
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 5, 2011
Season #: 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 547 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 362 out of 547
  2. Mixed: 80 out of 547
  3. Negative: 105 out of 547
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  1. eduardoporto
    Aug 17, 2023
    8
    8.4/10. Muitas cenas violentas, muitos serial killer famosos, um hotel que existe na vida real, muito sexo, foi uma boa temporada.
  2. Littlest_Red
    Jun 28, 2023
    8
    The most taboo season of ahs to date. Hotel cortez is based off a real life 'hotel cecil' that had strange occurrences. Lady Gaga is a bold and ruthless lover/leader, and really takes the role in a feminine, but powerful direction. The flashback episode really ruts out a lot of her character, and maintains to me, as one of the strongest. The lost kid and the vampires part of the season isThe most taboo season of ahs to date. Hotel cortez is based off a real life 'hotel cecil' that had strange occurrences. Lady Gaga is a bold and ruthless lover/leader, and really takes the role in a feminine, but powerful direction. The flashback episode really ruts out a lot of her character, and maintains to me, as one of the strongest. The lost kid and the vampires part of the season is also really good, and taps into a few fears of losing a child and also losing childhood innocence. Liz Taylor and her friendship with iris is also a highlight of the series.… Expand
  3. JoshsRating
    Nov 24, 2021
    10
    This is the first season I watched of American Horror Story and Lady Gaga really deserved her best actress golden globe win for her first TV role. Her character became a classic among internet users and will continue to inspire others years to come.
  4. Dsros96
    Oct 23, 2021
    8
    Very good season overall. Jessica Lange isn't missed. Only thing is that many elements were unused/ unfinished. Lady Gaga surprises as her character.
  5. Erick2302
    Aug 3, 2021
    0
    Es la peor de todas las temporadas de ahs, solo es Lady Gaga paseándose en lindos vestidos y la trama muy mala.
  6. sonicbill11
    Nov 16, 2019
    1
    Seasons 1, 2 and 3 were great. Even Freakshow (Season 4) grew on me after a while and kept my interest. I gave up halfway through Season 5. I still didn't know who half of the characters were or what was the actual plot after 6 episodes. Worst season ever.
  7. azothsolar
    Sep 26, 2019
    5
    Season 5 is a mixed bag to me. There's some good characters and interesting arcs, but it slogs through a lot of stupid **** and dialogue. The characters lose their intrigue, the writing is very bland in spots, and it doesn't finish as strongly as some other seasons. It's fitting that this is season 5 because it's very middle of the road in terms of quality and i'm giving it a 5 rating.
  8. jackaz15
    Oct 11, 2018
    4
    AHS: Hotel was so comically inept that its addictive glamour and B-movie cheese prevailed over its brutally boring gore, unfocused storytelling, and ostentatious sexuality. (4/10)
  9. MarceloPaz
    Oct 6, 2018
    7
    Again the end poorly worked, many characters for many endings, the season has an incredible soundtrack, a shame not reflect on the episodes. Highlight for ep 10, very good
  10. AdriiCC
    Sep 1, 2018
    10
    Está es una de las mejores temporadas, tanto por el lenguaje poético y por la escenografía de alta calidad.
  11. WorldofLucky
    Feb 3, 2018
    8
    Now AHS has finally hit its stride and is in that sweet spot of horror and drama.

    Overall this is the best season so far that I have seen. The stories all wrap around a hotel, a countess, things that are similar to vampires, spirits and serial killers. The base idea is wrapped around a similar serial killer H.H. Holmes who owned a hotel that was sometimes called the Murder Castle in    Now AHS has finally hit its stride and is in that sweet spot of horror and drama.

    Overall this is the best season so far that I have seen. The stories all wrap around a hotel, a countess, things that are similar to vampires, spirits and serial killers. The base idea is wrapped around a similar serial killer H.H. Holmes who owned a hotel that was sometimes called the Murder Castle in Chicago.

    The real serial killer claimed at least 27 people were killed in various rooms when they checked into his hotel. Of course in traditional American Horror Story style the body count is upped by tenfold, using chutes to hide bodies, ghosts to kill guests and visits from other serial killers.

    Even though the story focuses on a possible serial killer, my favorite character is Liz Taylor, played by Dennis O’hare. He as fantastic, and I found his story definitely interesting and touching.

    My favorite character!
    Lady |Gaga made her AHS debut here, and she did well, along with Kathy Bates and the returning cast. I really didn’t have anything negative to say about this season at all.

    Pros: The show finds its groove, the cast are at their best and Lady Gaga does fairly well in my first exposure to her acting.

    Cons: I wish they had focused on Liz more.

    The show keeps putting out good content, it doesn’t feel like they have exhausted the theme of the show yet.    … Expand
  12. mrharrybeck
    Oct 2, 2017
    6
    Gaga's spectacular as is the whole cast. But there were stories that led nowhere, even though the horror element was not absent. American Horror Story: Hotel is enjoyable yet a wee bit trashy.
  13. Dzimas
    Aug 28, 2017
    8
    The season held up reasonably well with some good surprises in the end. I was disappointed they didn't make more out of Angela Bassett's character. Could have used a lot more Ramona and a lot less John Lowe as far as I was concerned. The big surprise to me was how much Evan Peters got into his role as James Patrick March. I hadn't seen all of the previous AHS seasons, but he struck meThe season held up reasonably well with some good surprises in the end. I was disappointed they didn't make more out of Angela Bassett's character. Could have used a lot more Ramona and a lot less John Lowe as far as I was concerned. The big surprise to me was how much Evan Peters got into his role as James Patrick March. I hadn't seen all of the previous AHS seasons, but he struck me as too peevish in Haunted House and Asylum. I was glad as hell Dylan McDermott was dropped.

    What I liked most was the choreography of staging and music in so many scenes. The directors clearly had fun with their theme and the writers kept them on track. The one crazy tangent were the vampire kids, but smartly they kept this to a sight gag rather than getting sidetracked as they did in Asylum with all their subplots. Kids don't fare well in this season.

    Gaga lorded over the hotel like the diva that she is, but she was often upstaged. Denis O'Hare stole the show with his campy role. Kathy Bates was good but too subdued. I would have liked to see her go off the rails more often. However, they made for a great pair.

    As usual, the writers liberally borrowed from numerous horror movies and great indies like The Hunger, Shadow of a Vampire and Only Lovers Left Alive. No matter as they were able to fuse it into their own crazy vision. Whenever the season seemed on the verge of breaking down, the production team managed to find a way to pick it back up again, resulting in the best ending I've seen to date.

    Don't go into this season with too high of hopes, just go along for the ride.    … Expand
  14. steelystan
    Apr 18, 2017
    2
    How anybody can like this season is beyond me. It's not scary, it relies heavily on sex and partial nudity, the acting is horrible, the story is boring, and Lady Gaga is not that good of an actress.
  15. Debaser7
    Oct 27, 2016
    8
    A great season, Sort of neon gothic erotic horror. I do have some issues with this season, like John being the killer was pretty predictable, One too many sex scenes (Something i normally don't complain about) and the last two episodes drag, while the ending being a little mediocre. But overall, the cast was great, the storylines were good, the soundtrack is amazing and it's visuallyA great season, Sort of neon gothic erotic horror. I do have some issues with this season, like John being the killer was pretty predictable, One too many sex scenes (Something i normally don't complain about) and the last two episodes drag, while the ending being a little mediocre. But overall, the cast was great, the storylines were good, the soundtrack is amazing and it's visually beautiful, but creepy… Expand
  16. greatwightsatan
    Oct 24, 2016
    9
    Every part of Hotel is visually striking and appealing. The soundtrack is honestly at an all time high for the series. Gaga is on point. Denis O' Hare makes the season as Liz Taylor.
    The only way this season falls a bit short is the whole drawl Ten Commandments Killer Plot line.
  17. yamurbina
    Oct 15, 2016
    4
    This is definitely AHS worst season.
    The whole hotel ambient could've been used better. Although the beautiful decoration of the hotel, seems to don't have real guests, just a few to fulfil the blood thirsty. The show has become formulaic.
    It' notorious Jessica Lange's talent is not on the show, besides Denis O'Hare, Sarah Paulson and Katy Bathes the rest of the cast is flat. I'm    This is definitely AHS worst season.
    The whole hotel ambient could've been used better. Although the beautiful decoration of the hotel, seems to don't have real guests, just a few to fulfil the blood thirsty. The show has become formulaic.
    It' notorious Jessica Lange's talent is not on the show, besides Denis O'Hare, Sarah Paulson and Katy Bathes the rest of the cast is flat. I'm disappointed with Evan Peters, his accent sound forced and fake.
    I think biggest flaw of this season it's that this season doesn't even feel like AHS anymore. New cast like Lady Gaga makes the show feel more commercial. Lady Gaga is good at being her own character, but not as an actress. I don't know, the characters and the use of the location doesn't make it feel like AHS used to be.    … Expand
  18. Lollipopfop
    Oct 9, 2016
    0
    This show is just trash. I liked it the first season, and loved it second season, but it has gone downhill ever since. There are genuinely cool horror shows like the Exorcist on Fox, and Stranger Things, that have fresh, fun take on the genre. This has become completely boring. Too bad, because some of the actors, like Catherine Bates, and Even Petersen are really wonderful. Too much SarahThis show is just trash. I liked it the first season, and loved it second season, but it has gone downhill ever since. There are genuinely cool horror shows like the Exorcist on Fox, and Stranger Things, that have fresh, fun take on the genre. This has become completely boring. Too bad, because some of the actors, like Catherine Bates, and Even Petersen are really wonderful. Too much Sarah Paulson, too much politically correct moral, not enough suspence, not enough of anything really, plus the dramatization makes it so we know they all survived, which adds yet another boredom layer.… Expand
  19. reviewfrom19842
    Oct 9, 2016
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Oh boy where to start

    Cons: Worst season by far. The story is all other the place and it fells like a lot of talented writers got only one day to write an episode that's what it fells like. The way Queenie is in this season and how she died is the stupidest **** I have ever see on TV. The first episode is a mess and is badly written it's just a mess. The twist the worst twist I have seen.

    Pros: I'm found of the charters I think these charters show be in other season like sally. Liz, iris, James, Elizabeth, Tristan no **** Tristan. I like the set it fells like this hotel is alive. The acting is amazing it's one of the best thing about all the seasons. The three episodes Devil's night, Room service, and Flicker are amazing and the only episodes wroth watching.

    Checking In  3/10
    Chutes and Ladders  5/10
    Mommy  7/10
    Devil's Night  9/10
    Room Service 8/10
    Room 33 6/10
    Flicker 10/10
    The Ten Commandments Killer 3/10
    She Wants Revenge 4/10
    She Gets Revenge 4/10
    Battle Royale 2/10
     Be Our Guest  6/10    … Expand
  20. aaa2302
    Oct 9, 2016
    0
    Couldn't finish it.
    Lady Gaga ruined it for me.
    Her acting skills were horrible and I can't believe she's in next season too.
    Such a shame Jessica Lange is out.
  21. lfrith
    Jun 21, 2016
    0
    this completely ruined american horror story, i am so stunned at how far they crossed the line. completely mental and rude and unnecessary. i loved the previous ones but seeing this is horrible, nothing like what american horror story used to be. i say never ever will recommend this show again after this
  22. LukeAnthonyy
    May 26, 2016
    10
    Ryan Murphy has done an amazing job with every season of American Horror Story and continues to impress me with this one. The cast is full of talented people and Lady Gaga added so much to the show. Her acting in the episode "Flicker" alone is Emmy worthy. Other highlights of this season include Sarah Paulson and Denis O'Hare.
  23. Webern
    Apr 10, 2016
    1
    Definitely the worst AHS ever. Last episode is something between ridiculous and embarassing. A good cast can't keep up a terrible screenplay. We'd like to have some quality in here too, instead we're treated like trash audience.
  24. Luizfelipereira
    Mar 22, 2016
    10
    Hotel é uma ótima temporada e uma das melhores do show. Achei incrível a forma como desenvolveram a história e como conseguiram incrementar vários elementos da cultura pop. As atuações foram impecáveis. Denis merecia realmente ganhar um Emmy assim como Kathy Bates. A atuação de Gaga só cresceu com os episódios e cumpriu mto bem seu papel. O único aspecto negativo da temporada na minhaHotel é uma ótima temporada e uma das melhores do show. Achei incrível a forma como desenvolveram a história e como conseguiram incrementar vários elementos da cultura pop. As atuações foram impecáveis. Denis merecia realmente ganhar um Emmy assim como Kathy Bates. A atuação de Gaga só cresceu com os episódios e cumpriu mto bem seu papel. O único aspecto negativo da temporada na minha opinião foram a má construção do personagem da Angela e da Chloe. A trilha sonora foi a melhor de todas as temporadas assim como o figurino. Parabéns ao Ryan e a equipe de Ahs… Expand
  25. MattBrady99
    Jan 30, 2016
    5
    Miss Hazel Evers: "There are more stains in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy".

    OK I'm just going to start the review off like this, American Horror Story: Hotel was really disappointing. It sucks saying that, because I enjoyed the past seasons and I was really looking forward to this one. It's not the worse season ever made (I've seen much worse), but I really    Miss Hazel Evers: "There are more stains in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy".

    OK I'm just going to start the review off like this, American Horror Story: Hotel was really disappointing. It sucks saying that, because I enjoyed the past seasons and I was really looking forward to this one. It's not the worse season ever made (I've seen much worse), but I really didn't care about this season or what was going on. I know a lot of people are going to defend this no matter what and it's fine if you like this season, but sadly I just wanted more from it.

    Evan Peters, Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson and Denis O'Hare were hands down the stand outs of this season. All four of them were so brilliant and unique in their roles. They made this season watchable as the characters are interesting and the back story's are engaging.

    I can tell a lot of effort went into this and the people behind the scenes really do care about this show. I respect that and it's must be really heartbreaking that this season didn't do very well when it comes to being well received from critics. Lets just hope that hard work will pay off in the next season.

    Jessica Lange isn't in this season (I wouldn't blame her), but who replaced her as the somewhat of a lead is lady Gaga, and that's when I got seriously worried. Gaga isn't the best actress in the world and I was very curious what she can bring to the show. Lady Gaga acting in the show wasn't anything that great or even special. She was really wooden and the other actors in the show really outshine her. I was so mad when she won the Golden Globe, as Kirsten Dunst should have won for Fargo, but that's just award shows.

    And that's really what I think of this season, as everything else I've already forgotten about. I just wish this season would give me more of the horror and least of the vampire bullsh*t. I hope the next season is better than the season that we got.    … Expand
  26. barkyl
    Jan 18, 2016
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Last week, the latest installment of American Horror Story (AHS) ended with its twelfth episode. Each season uses an ensemble cast that tell a different story that are, apparently, all interwoven. The latest installment was set in the Hotel Cortez, an opulent residence in downtown Los Angeles.

    There are a few shining moments and a few gripes related to this season. Overall, I feel the season was good – even great by AHS standards. Lady Gaga’s addition to the cast was welcomed and exceeded my expectations. She portrayed her character – The Countess – exceptionally well and gave an excellent performance of the blood-thirsty, power-hungry, sex-driven vixen.

    Now, having said that, let me go ahead and address something that is likely controversial in the AHS community: I did not miss Jessica Lange. And I don’t say that with a heavy heart, either. Lady Gaga has been a great replacement and, quite frankly, a far better complement to the cast. I don’t say that in a competitive way, merely as a subjective opinion.

    The premise of this season centered around The Countess who resides permanently in the Hotel Cortez along with other residents such as Iris, Liz, Donovan, and a plethora of ghosts – some fairly harmless and some diabolical. Amongst those in particular is James Patrick March (JPM), played by Evan Peters. This is by far my favorite performance of his in all of the variations of AHS. He nails the eccentric 1920s businessman in all of its stereotypical glory; his performance of JPM takes further shape in the fact that he is a brutal and sociopathic serial killer, giving homage to the real-life serial killer, H.H. Holmes.

    Truly, one of the greatest assets of this season is the casting of characters. Liz – a transgendered woman played by Denis O’Hare – is probably the most fascinating character this season. Mysterious in her own right, she had a typical backstory coupled with an amazing arch. The fact that the finale prominently featured her was a treat.

    Another central character, who started out less than positive, was Iris, the mother of the vampiric Donovan who also started out as The Countess’ lover. By the end, she was sympathetic and made a great duo with Liz, ridding the hotel of its nemeses and taking the reins of it themselves.

    Unfortunately, this season seemed to me to be plagued by lesser effective characters than effective ones. Ramona – the scorned former lover vampire of The Countess – fell flat with grandiose notions of revenge that never materialized. Sally – the drug-addled and ghostly junkie with a penchant for sadism – never seemed to connect fully, being interwoven into the John storyline where it seemed contrived. She did, however, have some narrative redemption in the finale, finding a place and following in the realm of social media, which was new for her. Speaking of John – the Ten Commandments killer – he never really surprised anyone. Most of whom I spoke with or read had predicted that revelation very early on. His wife’s storyline was pointless to me; however, the story of his reunification with his lost son, now vampire, Holden was a good token. Mrs. Evers seemed to be the best of the lot in regards to the ghosts, pining for one she could not have, while spending an eternity cleaning the blood and other things from the linens of the hotel’s many murders. Her backstory, too, provided a wonderful investigation into her heartbreak and her present circumstance.

    In ranking, I would have to put Hotel in the upper echelon of the series thus far, with the first season still holding the top spot, for me. I truly hope that Lady Gaga will return for next season, though I’m afraid her acting star may be rising so much after her Golden Globes win that she might be otherwise booked. Hopefully the show’s creators can find a suitable replacement if that is the case.    … Expand
  27. cinavenom
    Jan 6, 2016
    5
    This season was disappointing to me. The acting is okay and stylistically it is good but the story line is extremely boring and nearly puts me to sleep every week. I will finish the season just because I am such an AHS fan but it is hard to do, almost a chore watching it.
  28. perkjl
    Jan 5, 2016
    2
    I can't believe I made more than halfway through this season. I finally had to stop due to the convoluted plots, dull characters, clichés, horrible acting, and repetitive orgy scenes w/ Lady Gaga. They were more annoying than shocking. I swear...if I have to see Lady Gaga's ass one more time! The series is nothing without Jessica Lange and if she doesn't return to the show neither will I.
  29. vitorthehuman
    Dec 21, 2015
    5
    Is the season with more sex of all. Resembles me Asylum, except this season be miserably bad. Lady Gaga's performance is poor and amateurish. In my opinion, is the worst season of American Horror Story.
  30. WJS
    Dec 16, 2015
    6
    This show has great production design but, of course, that doesn't help make it any better. It's really a big disappointment and, having now watched all of the seasons of American Horror Story, this was my least favorite. Lady Gaga just can't replace Jessica Lange and you can only watch so many throat slashing without thinking "here we go again".
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Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Most Discussed TV Season of 2015
8
#8 Most Shared TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. The Atlantic
    Reviewed by: Spencer Kornhaber
    Oct 8, 2015
    70
    If this all sounds immensely convoluted and sadistic, well, welcome to American Horror Story. But there’s reason to hope that this will be among the better messes the show has served up.... Hotel’s premiere returned to the frightening essentials--death, desire, and property deeds.
    Read full review
  2. San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times
    Reviewed by: Chuck Barney
    Oct 8, 2015
    30
    Although the first episode runs for a bloated 90 minutes, it provides only scant hints of a main plot thread.... So once again, I'm confronted with an AHS season that appears to be more gross than engrossing. Alas, I may not be able to check out of the Hotel Cortez, but at least I can change the channel.
    Read full review
  3. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Ben Travers
    Oct 7, 2015
    58
    Aside from the always sterling production design--there is one audacious sign of hope in this otherwise trite Hotel.... I wouldn't go so far as to say Gaga's talent adds much to the proceedings, but her presence--and the manner in which its captured — certainly does.
    Read full review
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