- Release year: 2011–
- Creators: Brad Falchuk and Ryan Murphy.
- Producers: Alexis Martin Woodall, Chip Vucelich, and Patrick McKee.
- Screenplay by: Brad Falchuk, Ryan Murphy, Tim Minear, James Wong, Jennifer Salt, and Jessica Sharzer.
- Cinematography by: Michael Goi, John B. Aronson, Christopher Baffa, and Joaquin Sedillo.
- Music by: James S. Levine.
Synopsis: A family of three (and a dog) moves into a house infested with spirits.
Shotgun Commentary: Iconic first season for a horror series.
Review
American Horror Story started strong with “Murder House”, the first season of what is now a 15-year-old phenomenon. The premise was simple, creating horror stories based on popular tropes that tap into modern anxieties. Of course, making everything as flashy and aesthetic as one can make gore.
The DRAMA
“Murder House” follows the Harmon family as they move into their new home after a rough period. Vivien Harmon (Connie Britton) had a miscarriage a few months into her pregnancy. On top of this, her husband, Ben Harmon (Dylan McDermott), cheated on her with a student of his. As a result of this series of traumatic events, the family moves across the US to find some peace and a fresh start.
Their only daughter, Violet (Taissa Farmiga), is against the move until she sees that the house looks straight out of a horror movie, at which point she decides that she indeed wants to stay. Strange things begin to happen and you slowly realise that is because the house is indeed haunted by a tonne of spirits. What do they want? Where do they come from? Those are the main questions that will be explored throughout the season parallel to the Harmons’ drama.
This story is an absolute masterpiece. If you were lucky enough to be a teenager when the series started, you will probably remember it blowing your mind. Rewatching it a few years later, the experience changes slightly, but not enough to be a disappointment. Of course, the shocking twists that are sprinkled into the narrative will not shock you twice, but there is still an appeal in rewatching a story knowing what is to come. Sadly, the downside of not being wowed anymore is that you have more time to notice just how horribly cringe some characters are. Namely, Violet and Tate (Evan Peters).
A slippery slope
As a teenager, you feel their angst, and your heart might even break for them. Their ideas sound radical, and their actions seem badass. Regrettably, when you grow older and rewatch those same characters that looked so awesome, it is hard not to feel a bit of second-hand embarrassment for them. There is something uncomfortably awkward about how out of touch teenage angst can be. Something so real at the time yet so empty and superficial when seen in retrospect.
The fact that the exact same story can have such different reactions speaks of the talented writing that went into it. One that taps into the realities of being an adult and into the realities of being a teenager seamlessly. It is not common to get both in the same product, leading to repulsive children who speak like old men or ridiculous stories with the emotional depth of a horny teen (I am looking at you, Zack Snyder).
All in all, there are many reasons to watch this series, particularly if you enjoy horror. The cast are absolutely flawless, as are their performances. The story is creepy, solid, and just nuanced enough to separate it from simpler haunted-house narratives. And the cinematography is so gorgeous that it even makes burnt corpses look chic. Overall, an absolute must-watch.
Advice to take from this season:
- Do not date your parent’s patients.
- If your partner cheats on you, it is likely that they will do it again.
- Sometimes what you think you want has nothing to do with what you actually want at all.
What’s your take? Have you watched American Horror Story: Murder House? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message on my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀