Category: American Horror Story: Cult

Ranking my top 5 Horror TV Shows: “Well good news I found a piece of pie with no blood on it. Anybody want a bite?”

Greetings TV Fans!  With all of the excitement centered on the release of the trailer for the upcoming Halloween film, I started to really think about some of my favorite horror films of all time and then I realized that there are quite a few TV shows that fit the bill as well.  Whether you enjoy campy horror, slasher suspense, or zombies galore, horror TV shows have been around for quite a while and still stand the test of time.  For today, I am going to be ranking my absolute favorite horror TV shows.  Please note that for this list I have decided not to include TV shows that overlap in fantasy, supernatural, and sci-fi.  For example, shows like Supernatural, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, and True Blood will not be included because I think they have so many other layers with elements of horror.  That being said, if you have read my blog before, you know that I am a huge fan of these shows, but I wanted the chance to let some other horror TV shows take the spotlight.   Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch any of the series below yet. My top 5 horror TV shows are:

5

Slasher

I recently got the chance to binge-watch the first two seasons of Slasher on Netflix and I have to say that the show pulled me in right away.  If you are a fan of slasher films like Scream, this is the show for you.  The first season centers around the character, Sarah who finds herself caught in the middle of a series of murders that are very similar to the murder of her own parents.  The opening episode is beyond terrifying featuring the killer, The Executioner, who will give you nightmares for sure.  The second season follows a completely different story-line and has more of an Agatha Christie type feel, as we learn about a group of friends who were responsible for killing a girl many years ago and try to put together the missing pieces when they later return.  Each season brings different elements to the table, but has a healthy dose of gore, mystery, and twists that are not that easy to guess, which is refreshing.

4

Scream Queens

I am a huge fan of campy horror and I thoroughly enjoy films like Shaun of the Dead, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, The Evil Dead franchise, and The Cabin in the Woods.  I think there is something to be said about the perfect blend of horror and comedy that is just pure genius.  Even though Scream Queens only lasted two seasons, this show had me laughing out loud and screaming whenever the Red Devil made an appearance.  The show follows a sorority who is targeted by the killer, but I have to say that Niecy Nash playing the security guard, Denise is the absolute best part of the show.  While you may think you have seen a million movies like this before, Scream Queens really delivers and I was beyond disappointed when the show was cancelled.

3

Bates Motel

Have you ever wondered what turned Norman Bates into the infamous killer in Psycho?  Bates Motel gave us the chance to really dive into the dark and creepy world of Norman Bates.  The show is a prequel and we get a glimpse into Norman’s life as a teenager.  The acting on this show is outstanding and the characters really draw you in, as you almost feel sympathy for Norman as you see the events that lead to his breakdown.  The show has an eerie and mysterious feel, drawing the viewer in seamlessly.  While we don’t see as much blood and gore in this particular show, Norman’s actions are bone-chilling and beyond creepy, which scare us in an entirely different way.  When Norman dresses up as his mother, it’s scary how he is able to emulate her mannerisms and words to perfection.  While the show answers many questions from Psycho, it also does a great job of paving its own identity, causing you to be on the edge of your seat at all times, never knowing what to truly expect from the Bates family.

2

Ash vs Evil Dead

Ash vs Evil Dead is another show that is the epitome of campy horror.  Bruce Campbell is a genius and I have been a fan of the Evil Dead franchise for a long time.  The show gave fans the chance to fall in love with Ash Williams, or “Ashy Slashy,” all over again, accepting that the only person who can stand in the way of evil is not afraid to deliver a well thought out pun just before destroying a deadite in grotesque and creative ways.  The show also allows fans to get to know the Ghost Beaters, Kelly and Pablo, who team up with Ash against the she-devil, Ruby, played by the absolutely fabulous Lucy Lawless.  The show recently aired its series finale, but provided fans with three seasons of fun, gore, comedy, and great music.  You are seriously missing out if you do not check this show out.  “Groovy.”   

Some honorable mentions before revealing my number one pick are:

  • Scream
  • It
  • Are You Afraid of the Dark?
  • Twin Peaks
  • The Twilight Zone
  • Goosebumps
  • The Strain
  • Hannibal
  • The Walking Dead franchise

1

American Horror Story

It should be no surprise that my favorite horror TV show is FX’s American Horror Story.  The show is created by Ryan Murphy and does an amazing job of covering every element of horror.  Each season features a different premise with a new type of evil never lurking too far away.  While each season is unique in its own way, my absolute favorites are Coven, Hotel, and Murder House.  The show is not afraid to test boundaries and will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time.  There have been some moments on the show that have been so frightening that I was not able to sleep without seeing Twisty the Clown appear in my nightmares.  The show does a great job of bringing one’s fears to the surface, but it also really looks into the darkness that exists within society as well, which really elevates the show.  The most recent season focused on a cult, proving that humanity can be just as capable of performing evil as spirits and vampires.  I was also very intrigued by the comparison of each season to a circle of hell from Dante’s Inferno.  Dante’s journey through each circle exposes him to different types of sin and evil that exist in the world and within society, which adds even more complexity to American Horror Story.  I am beyond excited to see what the next season brings and what sins it will explore next.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to share some of your own thoughts and comments on your favorite horror TV shows. 

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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“American Horror Story” ranking the seasons from best to worst: Nine Circles of Hell

So after finishing up FX’s American Horror Story:  Cult last night, I started thinking about how it held up against the other seasons.  Before the premiere of AHS : Cult, Ryan Murphy, co-creater of the series, had posted the nine circles of hell from Dante’s Inferno:

Limbo (Murder House)

Lust

Gluttony (Hotel)

Greed (Freak Show)

Anger (Roanoke)

Heresy (Cult)

Violence

Fraud (Asylum)

Treachery (Coven)

Murphy had previous explained that each season is connected, but the link to the nine circles of hell invests the viewer into new theories and also suggests that the series will have an end after season 9.  Perhaps it is all meant to keep fans on the edge of their seats, but it does make one really think about the similarities to each circle of hell and how they are all intertwined.  After watching all of the seasons so far, I have ranked them in the following order (best-worst):

  • Coven
  • Hotel
  • Murder House
  • Cult
  • Asylum
  • Freak Show
  • Roanoke

While you may agree or disagree with my rankings, it really got me thinking about how this matches up with Inferno’s nine circles of hell.  The last (ninth) circle of hell is “treachery” which matches up with my overall pick for best season, AHS:  Coven.  For me, the betrayal in “Coven” really scratches beneath the surface and tugs at your soul.  On the surface, the witch-craft element is very entertaining and reminiscent of the movie, The Craft.  However, there are a lot more elements going on in the show and treachery is at its core.

My second favorite season is AHS:  Hotel which pairs up with “gluttony.”  According to Inferno, “Gluttony” is the third circle of hell.  Those who are guilty of “gluttony” are forced to lie in a slush created by an icy rain which is meant to represent those who have overindulged in “food, drink, and other worldly pleasures.”  The icy rain that brings an eternal bitter cold to the sinner connects me to the Countess portrayed by Lady Gaga in AHS:  Hotel.  She is a vampire already representing eternity and feeds on the blood of others.  What’s really interesting to me is that in this circle of hell, the beings punished are not able to see the other victims lying near them because of their own selfishness.  Not being able to feel remorse or love for others is dangerous enough, but its combination with gluttony is even more so.

My third favorite season is the first season AHS:  Murder House.  Interestingly enough, this aligns with “Limbo,” which is the first circle of hell.  This could be just a coincidence, but those who are trapped here are unable to move on to heaven and are forced to reside in an inferior version, much like ghosts who are unable to move on, which appear throughout Murder House.

If the theory is true, that would leave AHS with 2 more seasons representing “Lust” and “Violence.”  While I am not sure if we will see any burning rain or violent winds, it really gives the viewer a lot to think about in terms of what type of premise we will see next.

As of August 2018, we now also know that the series has been picked up for a tenth season and will continue through 2020.  I still think that the “nine circles of hell” idea is important and relevant to the show, but I am curious to explore more and see where we are headed.  I am counting the days until the premiere on September 12th.  How about you?

Feel free to post your thoughts and theories on AHS below.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available!  If you enjoy fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery, then this might be the book for you or someone you know!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I hope you enjoy!

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The Search for Alice Cover

Et tu, Winter? Review of “American Horror Story 7: Cult,” episode 10

I just finished watching yesterday’s episode of FX’s American Horror Story:  Cult and I am still trembling.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  The violence in this episode was beyond extreme, flashing back to the Charles Manson murders and glorifying the other stabbing of recurring character, Gary which had me shielding my eyes and cringing.  That was not the hardest part to watch for me, however.  It was the look in Evan Peters’s eyes who plays Kai when he choked the last breath of life out of his beloved sister, Winter, portrayed by Billie Lourd.  The acting in American Horror Story:  Cult has surpassed the previous seasons in my opinion.  It was wonderful to see Bille Lourd branch out of supporting role in Fox’s canceled series, Scream Queens and bring a truly haunting element to her character while still being likable behind her empty stares.  The stand out performance for me has been Evan Peters who is so believable as his character, Kai Anderson, that it makes me fear what would happen if this character truly existed in the real world.

This series has had its share of ups and downs for me as I have been trying to follow along to see which plot twist to cling to more, as a new story branches out with each episode.  The beginning of the series had me waking up in the middle of the night, clutching my teddy bear, fearing that one of the dreaded clown-masked culprits had broken in.  The series has grown past Ally’s fears and paranoia, played brilliantly by the wonderful Sarah Paulson, however.  She has grown into a strong woman filled with rage, clarity, and an unquenched thirst for revenge, as she has been picking apart Kai’s plan going unnoticed.

Kai made several comments throughout this most recent episode about how inferior women are to men and how they can never lead because they were too emotional.  However, Ally and Beverly are about to unravel that as they continue to cut deeper into Kai’s own emotional baggage which has now spilled out into the open after killing his own sister for fear of her possible betrayal.  After the killing off of some major characters, it makes the viewer wonder who will survive it all and come out on top.  I for one am counting the days until the finale next Tuesday and the preview suggests that Ally and Beverly will undo everything that Kai has tried to accomplish and unleash the untamed rage to the surface of these scorned and no longer broken women.

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl