‘American Horror Story’ Never Got Better Than Season 9: 1984

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Although American Horror Story is generally entertaining and frightening, many fans agree that the first season is the best. It originally aired in 2011 and remains one of Ryan Murphy’s most popular creations. Murphy currently has several projects in development, including an adaptation of The Beauty comic series, set to debut in January 2026, and Monster Season 4: The Lizzie Borden Story. Fortunately for horror enthusiasts, American Horror Story will return for a thirteenth season, and Ariana Grande is confirmed to be part of the cast.

What’s great about the American Horror Story anthology series is how it plays with familiar horror themes. Each season tackles something different – from ghosts and the supernatural, to the dark side of circus life, and the mysteries hidden within a haunted house. It’s fun to see actors return in different roles each season, showcasing their range. Of course, everyone has their own taste in horror, so not everyone will agree on which season is the best. But one season consistently rises above the others.

‘American Horror Story: 1984’ Is a Fun Take on Slasher Movies


FX

American Horror Story: 1984, the ninth season of the show, first aired on FX on September 18, 2019. The season follows Brooke Thompson (Emma Roberts) as she takes a summer job at Camp Redwood, and quickly establishes itself as a classic slasher horror story. It features the familiar elements of a summer camp setting, a serial killer – The Night Stalker, played by Zach Villa – and a group of potential final girls. Along with Brooke, who narrowly escapes an attack, the story centers on Margaret Booth (Leslie Grossman), the camp owner and sole survivor of a series of gruesome murders that occurred there in 1970. After seasons exploring themes like witches, cults, haunted hotels, and circuses, many fans were eager to see Ryan Murphy tackle the slasher genre.

The cast also includes camp counselors Ray Powell (DeRon Horton), Xavier Plympton (Cody Fern), Montana Duke (Billie Lourd), and Chet Clancy (Gus Kenworthy). John Carroll Lynch plays Mr. Jingles, another frightening character. Each of the nine episodes in Season 9 jumps between the present day and the past, showing both the current, unsettling atmosphere of Camp Redwood and what happened there years ago.

A truly memorable horror movie needs a surprising plot twist, and 1984 delivers on that front. Similarly, while it’s fun to spot hidden details in each season of American Horror Story, viewers also eagerly anticipate shocking revelations.

Why ‘American Horror Story’ Season 9 Is the Best One


FX

The discussion around “elevated horror” may have died down, but it’s clear many slasher films explore meaningful topics. The Scream movies, while known for their humor and self-awareness, also deal with the subject of grief. However, sometimes a slasher film is simply meant to be entertaining, and that’s where Season 9 of American Horror Story really stands out compared to the rest of the series.

Each episode and storyline has hidden layers if you look closely. Brooke is deeply frightened by the Night Stalker and feels unsafe in her own home. His attack is what motivates her to go to Camp Redwood. Her story suggests the show is exploring themes of safety, danger, and what it’s like to live in a city. It’s worth noting that the character of the Night Stalker, Richard Ramirez, is based on a real serial killer of the same name.

Despite its flaws, American Horror Story: 1984 is a fun and engaging season centered around the classic summer camp experience, fully embracing the over-the-top style of the 1980s. The first episode, “Camp Redwood,” includes a memorable aerobics scene with Xavier Plympton (Cody Fern) that perfectly captures the fitness craze popularized by Jane Fonda. With plenty of ghosts and a story that provides enough explanations, the season is ultimately satisfying and allows viewers to enjoy the ride.

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It’s clear that American Horror Story: 1984 takes cues from the classic slasher film Friday the 13th, known for its killer Jason Voorhees. Both stories are set at a summer camp, and both emphasize the strong bonds between camp counselors as they try to survive and support each other while being hunted by a murderer.

While every season of American Horror Story has its scary moments, some have been more successful than others. Season 12, Delicate, felt like it retread familiar ground with its pregnancy storyline. Season 6, Roanoke, also received criticism for its unusual format, which split the season into a documentary-style filming and found footage segments. 1984 isn’t typically a fan favorite when compared to seasons like Coven, but it’s still a genuinely fun and captivating season that deserves more appreciation.

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2025-12-26 03:36