Name: American Horror Story | Type: Drama | Run Time: 2011 Network: IMDB rating: 8.4 Seasons: 2 Full Episodes: 25 Streamed:
Full Show Summary: As the title indicates, this is a horror show, both in the psychological and gory variations. Every season is independent from the other and has a different storyline, which gives it variety and allows the writers to explore new themes. But each season is varied in itself, mixing lots of horror staples, from mad doctors to exorcisms and aliens, making for a rarely dull experience (although it can be argued that this affects the solidity of the scripts). The first season deals with a troubled married couple who moves to a house with a very dark past. When they realize their new residence is a magnet for disgraces, they simply can’t afford to move again. They’re tied to the house and the unsettling people of the surroundings, and it’s uncertain if their marriage -or even themselves- will survive it. The second season takes place in a mental asylum of the 60s, where some members of the staff try to do things by the book, while others give a far worse treatment to the patients. Ghosts play an important part of the story, and they’re not the only fantasy elements. The production values of AHS are quite high and help to create an adequate mood. Nevertheless, the quick-pace editing can take away from that, and the stories could probably benefit from a more paused style of storytelling. Despite that, the script, specially in the first season, makes a good work of exploring such basic fears as suffering infidelity, house trespassing or baby theft, which feel much more real than those based on the supernatural. There are very gory moments, so be advised if you’re not much into blood. Horror is a difficult genre, not very usual in TV, so AHS deserves at least a look if you’re remotely interested in this kind of stories.
