I’ve been avoiding American Horror Story for quite some time. I was the rare few who enjoyed Hotel but the season thereafter got a little boring for me. I’m still yet to see Season 8 thou however so the verdicts out on that one.
Instead i’ve jumped to season 9 purely because of the trailer alone. Shot like an 80’s slasher movie this Friday the 13th / Halloween styled horror had me salivating at the thought. I’m a HUGE horror fan and blending some of my favourite horrors into one generalised TV series was an offer I couldn’t refuse.
Emma Roberts is the heart of this season now that heavy hitters Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson are out. The vibe of the series oozes Friday 13th and then when our killer is stalking his prey instantly I feel as thou i’m looking through the eyes of Michael Myers himself.
This combination of nostalgic horror film shooting methods just has me aching for episode 2 already. The opening scene alone is a gory introduction to the show and it can only get better!
We have all of our typical stereotypes at play here. Roberts plays Brooke, the virginal ‘final girl’. Bille Lourd plays the loose morale aerobics enthusiast. We have a jock and the love interest. The film has even introduced the real-life serial killer Richard Ramirez (aka the Night Stalker) as his terror is reigning supreme in LA in the year 1984. Mix this in with a psychopathic serial killer on an escape from a mental hospital (Michael Myers anyone?) and we have quite the story!
From the second the show opens with its VHS style opening credits sequence to the second it ends it’s just incredible. It’s fun, it’s weird, it’s freaky and insane just like the good ol classic horrors always were. We have engaging characters all with their own backstory’s on display.
Whilst they are still stereotyped they have a resounding depth to them. We’ll come to care about these characters as the episodes roll on. It’s when these characters meet their fate that the viewers will actually feel something. Whereas in most horror films us fans route for the killer.
This is not down to us being psychopaths (or maybe it is) it’s more down to the carbonised typecast characters we just can’t fall in love with.
AHS has created yet another season where we grow with our characters. We are to be swept away in our very own modern day horror classic.
Summary
Oozing classic horror AHS 1984 rolls back the clock and gives us a horror series we all deserve. There is so much lacking in the imagination department to create something unique and something new but as far as homages go, no one can complain with this one, it hits the nail on the head and explores some of the glory years of good ol fashioned slasher flicks.
