News & Interviews for American Horror Story: 1984

Critic Reviews for American Horror Story 1984

Audience Reviews for American Horror Story: 1984

• 5d ago

  I am reviewing this as a HUGE "American Horror Story" fan who has been with, watched, and followed the show since its inception. I am sad to say, this show is being run into the ground. In my opinion, Seasons 1-5 ("Murder House" through "Hotel") were brilliant. Did they have their flaws? Of course. Every TV show does, but it was stacked with brilliant veteran performers (Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Frances Conroy- just to name a few) and promising newcomers like Evan Peters, Taissa Farmiga, Jamie Brewer, and Emma Roberts. It was the ultimate thriller, camp and gory show ever to grace our screens since "The Twilight Zone". When the plot went off the rails, all can be forgiven with a monologue from Lange or a look from Paulson. "Roanoke" was the beginning of the end in this continued downward spiral. (Sarah Paulson even admitted that she "doesn't care about that season at all" in a recent interview.) The stars were there; Paulson, Rabe, Bates. However, a bizarre casting choice was Cuba Gooding Jr. (Why Ryan? Because Cuba played OJ in your other spin-off? Because you know him doesn't mean you need to throw him in your other show. Completely wrong for the tone of the show. Another example: Matthew Morrison in "1984".) Gone was Lange's star power performance, but perhaps you thought stacked with great actors who delivered less than stellar dialogue maybe it could stand on its own? Not really. Then came "Cult" and the addition of Billie Lourd, Billy Eichner with Colton Haynes thrown in for good measure. Lily Rabe and Kathy Bates were VERY noticeably absent from this season. From then on, the cast has been a game of musical chairs with whomever needed a favor, who's a friend of Murphy's, and/or who's kid has the most famous parents. (Taissa and Emma Roberts, also products of Hollywood Nepotism can at least act.) Every time Lourd plays a role she's re-animating "Chanel Number 3" from "Scream Queens" or perhaps it's just Lourd playing Lourd all along. Additionally, the writing kept getting sloppier. HUGE plot hole in "Apocalypse." Sarah's character from Season 1, Billie Dean Howard predicted the AntiChrist to be born of ghost and human. Somehow, when they kill him, two throwaway characters no one cared about from the beginning give birth to another AntiChrist. Also watching Sandra Bernhard try to act for even just one episode was PAINFUL!! As it was in "Pose." Nepotism and sloppy writing have been Murphy's problems for a while now and will be the downfall and destruction of the entire franchise. NEVER have I seen an Emmy sweeping show nosedive so fast that it's become the equivalent to a bad YouTube channel original series. Murphy has always had a problem with casting the nepotism babies to the detriment of his work- Ben Platt and Zoey Deutch in the ridiculous series "The Politician", Sophie von Haselberg in "Pose" aka Bette Midler's daughter. Or let's look at one of his upcoming projects, the new season of "American Crime Story" where Beanie Feldstein aka Jonah Hill's sister will be playing Monica Lewinsky. But someone REALLY needs to tell Murphy (and/or his casting directors) that you CANNOT cast green, unprofessional, untrained actors next to powerhouse performers of Bates, Lange, Pauslon, Conroy, or Rabe's caliber and put them in the same show or God forbid- the same scene! It WILL show and believe me… IT DOES! BIG TIME! The bad writing had been exasperated (see above for the plot holes and continuity issues). Or simply watch any of his new Netflix shows… although I quite enjoyed the majority of "Ratched". I am BEGGING YOU, RYAN MURPHY, END THE SHOW WITH DIGNITY OR GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AND LOOK AT WHAT WORKED! Or at the VERY least give some REAL actors a fair shot- those who don't have famous parents but have spent their time and money on getting trained. As well as watch the older seasons of AHS again to remember the rules and history of your own show! This once brilliant, beautiful, haunting series has turned into Disney Channel on acid and I for one cannot take it anymore. If the upcoming season "Double Feature" doesn't live up to standards, it's time to put a nail in this coffin because the legacy of the show is suffering. Please- do us all a favor and put the fans out of their misery!
  Dee D
• Jul 04, 2021

  Classic 80's awesome music, rad outfits, and hair, I especially love Montana's outfit, plus deranged killers. Very entertaining and like other AHS seasons. If you look at it the right way, they somehow contain great moral lessons and wisdom there, however unlikely it may be.
  Axl L
• Jun 26, 2021

  It really doesn't succeed in what it's trying to do in any area--horror, camp, comedy, etc. The worst part is that the "monster", in this case a pscyhopathic murdered, is so bland. That fact is one of the show's biggest downfalls. In the 80's, memorable horror characters were created. There's nothing memorable here folks. A huge dollop of nostalgia couldn't save this season and there's not enough of it to go around here. It might as well be a cheap 90 minute movie.
  Frank W
• Jun 19, 2021

  I thought this one was the best, it had a good story line, the 80s, and ended on a good note.
  Jade B
• May 29, 2021

  Its start out excellent with a thrilling night at camp redwood, it then spends four dull episodes wrapping up the story. Overall not AHS's worst but no were near there best.
  Kilan R
• May 16, 2021

  Uma das melhores series que ja vi.
  Max D
• May 02, 2021

  This is one of the best, AHS Seasons with such an electrifying vibe that you can't help but love the mood, feel and soundtrack of this bloodbath. Set in the 1980's "AHS 1984" pays homage to the slasher, horror films of the period. It doesn't fail to capitalise on camp crystal lake references or the obvious Jason verses Freddie verses Micheal Myers slasher monster film studio competitiveness of the 1970's/1980's. "AMS 1984" is full of 1980's nostalgia with a compelling story that keeps you engaged throughout the series. It has enough gore and horror to keep any horror fan happy and unusually for AHS has a satisfying and somewhat happy ending.
  Tim S
• May 02, 2021

  This is one hell of a season. The setting is the best to date, if you are big fan of 80s slasher movies. They really nail the vibe and feeling, but some of the characters feel a little hollow in general. Interesting story, but the addition of Ramirez seems a bit unnecessary at times and maybe just for the name sake of it. The actors are amazing as always and the season is a great addition for the AHS universe.
  

  Christoffer B
• Apr 19, 2021

  Very boring and typical story from AHS, typical twists just for the sake of it in ways that are actually predictable on top of being unnecessary, deliberately campy, frankly don't understand who would consider it a horror show at this point.
  Nunya B
• Apr 17, 2021

  Campy, plays on 80s horror tropes, yet still manages to make an original story. Takes you unexpected places as it goes on. BRUTALLY VIOLENT though, so be aware of this if this kind of thing bothers you. I watch a lot of horror, and the amount of people that get stabbed to death in this season was even a bit much for me. Nice mix of comedy, splat-stick, Tarrentio-esq alt-history, great performances by the whole cast. Overall great fun if you like the genre!
  Demonic S

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