American Horror Stories – Review [FX on Hulu]

AMERICAN HORROR STORIES on FX on Hulu is the American Horror Story spin-off series. A horror anthology that plays out in familiar settings – beginning with “The Murder House” from AHS Season 1. I can’t wait for more. Read our American Horror Stories review here!

AMERICAN HORROR STORIES is beginning on FX on Hulu and this American Horror Story spin-off series is off to a great start. We begin in the “murder house” from season 1 of American Horror Story which means you’ll know the “rules” of the place from the beginning.

For this spin-off series, you won’t get an entire season focused on one setting or plot. Instead, it’s a “true” anthology in the sense that each episode focuses on a new horror story. Well, almost, since the first two episodes are actually part 1 and part 2 of a familiar place. That’s just to get us all started with this new series though.

Continue reading our American Horror Stories season 1 review below and find the episodes on FX on Hulu (weekly releases).

Welcome back to Murder House

Even if you didn’t know before hitting “play” on episode 1 of American Horror Stories, you should know before we actually see the house. I mean, this is an American Horror Story spin-off, so obviously, we have to go back to where it all began: the Murder House of season 1.

And yes, this is still very much a Ryan Murphy production which means lots of LGBTQ+ characters. I love this for many reasons – not least diversity on screen. Also, I do enjoy the campiness it lends to the brutality of these stories.

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With episodes 1 and 2, which focus on the murder house setting, we also get to see the rubber man of that house. Oh, and rubber woman this time around. Episode 1 is perfect at setting the stage while episode 2 of American Horror Stories does go pretty crazy with the number of killings.

Of course, this is the “Murder House” so anything less would just be wrong!

The cast of Rubber (Wo)man Part One and Two

When this horror anthology begins with Rubber (Wo)man: Part One, we open with the wonderful AHS veteran actor Matt Bomer as Michael. He is moving into a new house with his husband, Troy (Gavin Creel), and their 16-year-old daughter, Scarlett.

Of course, this new house in The Murder House, which they plan on renovating and using for its obvious purpose: A Bed & Breakfast for fans of true crime!

Scarlett is not your average 16-year-old girl, which the audience will soon realize. She is the actual star of this opening anthology story. Played rather brilliantly by Sierra McCormick, who you may recognize from the Amazon Original The Vast of Night (2019). I really hope we’ll see more of Sierra McCormick in this series – knowing Ryan Murphy, the odds are good.

Rubber (Wo)man presents familiar yet new faces

Before the two episodes are over, she will have gotten close encounters with both Paris Jackson (daughter of the late Michael Jackson) and Kaia Gerber (daughter and virtual look-a-like of Cindy Crawford). Of the two, the former is definitely the strongest actor. Paris Jackson just comes across as very natural – you may have already seen her in Scream: The TV Series.

However, Kaia Gerber can serve looks that are perfect for this series. And I truly believe she can become a much better actor. Right now, she has some strong scenes, where she shines. However, she also has a few scenes that completely miss the mark. Single lines like “Run!” just do not work for her. A director should have fixed that, in my opinion!

In Rubber (Wo)man she plays the role of Ruby in Part 2. If you’ve watched the trailer, you know she carries a switchblade and all I can think of is Ruby Lane from Fear Street (even if that was an “old-timey razorblade”). In any case, I can see her working in horror productions in the future. She’s got the look down but does need to work on dialogue. Quite a bit!

Watch American Horror Stories on FX on Hulu

The Rubber (Wo)man opening episodes are directed by Loni Peristere and written by the anthology series creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. Loni Peristere previously directed nine episodes of American Horror Story from 2014 to 2021, so he came on board during season 4. Also, he worked on Banshee and Castle Rock along with many other series.

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It’s obviously a very steady hand that directed these episodes, which feel completely at home in the AHS universe. Personally, I love both storylines that span entire seasons and these bitesize stories that can be covered in much less time.

With this spin-off series, we will get plenty of different stories set in a familiar setting and with (at least some) familiar faces. It’s just the thing to satisfy that little craving for a good horror story. And sure, some episodes will undoubtedly be better than others – just like you have seasons of AHS that you like more. Still, I cannot wait to see what comes next!

American Horror Stories season 1 begins on FX on Hulu from July 15, 2021. The two first episodes are released on this day to open the season with episodes released weekly.

Details

Creators: Brad Falchuk, Ryan Murphy
Director: Loni Peristere
Stars: Matt Bomer, Gavin Creel, Sierra McCormick, Paris Jackson, Kaia Gerber, Merrin Dungey, Aaron Tveit, Belissa Escobedo, Valerie Loo, Selena Sloan, Ashley Martin Carter