American Horror Story - 1984

[Bradley 59,329]

12 minutes ago, Miel said:

I know nostalgic synthwave neon 80's throwback horror has been done to hell and back the last few years, but this could be interesting. As long as the characterization is as lush as Freak Show and Hotel, and the writing as tight as Asylum and Cult, we could easily be in for a decent season.

That said, isn't it crazy that we're begging for even just a scrap of a decent season? sksksksk

 

AHS has always received positive reviews from critics ever since day one though, sure there were some episodes which seemed odd, but critics generally gave positive reviews for each and every season.

I happen to think that fans are overly harsh on the filmmakers.

[Red 98,326]

OH MY ****ING GOD THIS IS THEME I MOST WANTED

[Bradley 59,329]

1 hour ago, SHALLOW said:

I know some people think it's the best season but i just thought it was super confusing and the docu style made it so not scary for me cause i already knew what was gonna happen since the characters told me and also the fact that the characters were actors made everything so fake that i just couldn't be scared on interested. I honestly don't know what you liked about it.

The documentary style was everything. Watching Roanoke for the first time was like listening to a Lady Gaga lead single for the first time.

I swear I had goosebumps all over every week watching the show, especially episodes one and six (the twist). I didn't know the actors would break character, I thought the twist had something to do with the documentary itself, not outside of it. That was completely unexpected to me.

Even though it's still fiction, it was genuinely disturbing and very very intriguing to me. I loved how he deviated from the format of previous seasons.

And Gaga's performance as Scathach made it even better, I actually think she was very convincing at that character, even more so than The Countess.

[Miel 15,009]

13 minutes ago, Bradley said:

AHS has always received positive reviews from critics ever since day one though, sure there were some episodes which seemed odd, but critics generally gave positive reviews for each and every season.

I happen to think that fans are overly harsh on the filmmakers.

Oh, definitely. On that note, I actually thought Cult was a top-tier season, while much of the fanbase really disliked it, I think. I guess I'm speaking more in context on the aftermath of Apocalypse, which I personally felt was the first legitimately bad season (I'm still bitter about it). Maybe critics thought otherwise?

Just my opinion, but even in the more positive seasons post-Asylum, I personally feel that most seasons struggled in some narrative aspect at some portion in their respective season. Apocalypse, to me, was the worst of it. I think now I, along with some fans, are just a little cynical.

[Bradley 59,329]

20 minutes ago, Miel said:

Oh, definitely. On that note, I actually thought Cult was a top-tier season, while much of the fanbase really disliked it, I think. I guess I'm speaking more in context on the aftermath of Apocalypse, which I personally felt was the first legitimately bad season (I'm still bitter about it). Maybe critics thought otherwise?

Just my opinion, but even in the more positive seasons post-Asylum, I personally feel that most seasons struggled in some narrative aspect at some portion in their respective season. Apocalypse, to me, was the worst of it. I think now I, along with some fans, are just a little cynical.

Apocalypse was rather an odd one to me as well. There were some really strong highs, and but some really low lows. Episodes 8 and 9 were absolutely fillers to me, the modern aesthetic that deviated from the dungeon aesthetic was really a turn-off for me, plus the cult Michael joined in was led by a rather comedic woman, who posed no threat and wasn't in the slightest sense frightening.

But still other episodes were really great, especially the early development of the season and the final revelation towards the end. I liked how it seemed like a whole new season at first and then BOOM, the witches returned. The acting was also amazing, but I understand why you think it was lacklustre, Ryan could've explored the filler episodes with much better content. I also think Michael could have worked as a better Antichrist if he seemed 'less campy' and 'posh', he just seemed too much like a child and even feminine to be seen as the son of the devil.

[Illuminati Freak 2,432]

Ooooh I'm terribly excited for this one. 

[Hyperballad 4,310]

1984 dystopian style? Like the novel?

[Miel 15,009]

4 minutes ago, Bradley said:

Apocalypse was rather an odd one to me as well. There were some really strong highs, and but some really low lows. Episodes 8 and 9 were absolutely fillers to me, the modern aesthetic that deviated from the dungeon aesthetic was really a turn-off for me, plus the cult Michael joined in was led by a rather comedic woman, who posed no threat and wasn't in the slightest sense frightening.

But still other episodes were really great, especially the early development of the season and the final revelation towards the end. I liked how it seemed like a whole new season at first and then BOOM, the witches returned. The acting was also amazing, but I understand why you think it was lacklustre, Ryan could've explored the filler episodes with much better content. I also think Michael could have worked as a better Antichrist if he seemed 'less campy' and 'posh', he just seemed too much like a child and even feminine to be seen as the son of the devil.

Yeah, Apocalypse had some fantastic highs, but also weirdly drastic lows. For the most part, the first three episodes (including the dramatic return of the surviving witches) was absolutely incredible. But then we get flashback exposition that lasted too long, with (like you said) episodes 8 and 9, ultimately, landing useless. For a 10 episode season, that is a pretty significant chunk. The acting and characterization for most of the characters, in particular Emma Roberts' portrayal of a developing Madison, was such a pleasant surprise. On the other hand, Michael had such an inconsistent portrayal, and even Cody Fern's decent acting skills couldn't make up for that.

The majority of the season just didn't have the decent balance of dark, campy humor that the first few episodes did- because of that, the final episode's emotional nexus just felt a little flat and undeserving. 

It's definitely not the worst season of a television show I have ever season, but definitely the one I enjoyed the least in this particular series.

I hope Ryan and co. learn from this season, in particular. It's one of the one season, that I think many can come to consensus, that fell a little flat.

[Hyperballad 4,310]

1984 dystopian style? Like the novel?

[Miel 15,009]

5 minutes ago, Hyperballad said:

1984 dystopian style? Like the novel?

From the initial teaser, it looks to be more 80's slasher. But I wouldn't be surprised if some sort of dystopian theme starts creeping its way through, as 1984 is a very telling year.

[RahrahWitch 6,985]

OMG I've been waiting for AHS to go full Slasher 80s horror film!

DON'T **** IT UP MR MURPHY!

[Runway 27,876]

This one looks good for once.  

[SHALLOW 16,464]

2 hours ago, Bradley said:

The documentary style was everything. Watching Roanoke for the first time was like listening to a Lady Gaga lead single for the first time.

I swear I had goosebumps all over every week watching the show, especially episodes one and six (the twist). I didn't know the actors would break character, I thought the twist had something to do with the documentary itself, not outside of it. That was completely unexpected to me.

Even though it's still fiction, it was genuinely disturbing and very very intriguing to me. I loved how he deviated from the format of previous seasons.

And Gaga's performance as Scathach made it even better, I actually think she was very convincing at that character, even more so than The Countess.

Oh girl, I wouldn't even compare Scathach to The Countess. That character was so not memorable i keep forgetting it exists and also she just plays the actress who plays that character so that's just a turn off. Like, you know, people want to see themselves in characters and he just denied us that by creating all these actors mess. I just can't connect with that season at all. 

I get that h wanted to do something different but it didn't work at all for me.

I admit that some scenese were kinda scary at first and  it had potential but the actors reveal RUINED IT big time for me

 

[LastNight 5,941]

A slasher set in a totalitarian society in the 80s? I'm DOWN! I really hope this is the case. I've been desperate for a season set in the past again for so, so long. 

I hope they keep the comedy actors away from this season and give us a straight up spooky thriller with a really tight storyline. The 80s has too much potential for camp for them to resist though... I hope they don't mess it up. It could be so slick and stylised and really, really scary if they do this right,

[Bradley 59,329]

7 minutes ago, SHALLOW said:

Oh girl, I wouldn't even compare Scathach to The Countess. That character was so not memorable i keep forgetting it exists and also she just plays the actress who plays that character so that's just a turn off. Like, you know, people want to see themselves in characters and he just denied us that by creating all these actors mess. I just can't connect with that season at all. 

I get that h wanted to do something different but it didn't work at all for me.

I admit that some scenese were kinda scary at first and  it had potential but the actors reveal RUINED IT big time for me

I understand why people adore The Countess, I mean she was present in every single episode of AHS: Hotel, and Scathach was only in three episodes.

But I was actually referring to the technicality of Gaga's acting, while I loved The Countess, and thought it was one of the most iconic roles in the American Horror Story universe, Scathach's presence of evil and malevolence reeked so strongly in Roanoke. Her enunciation of her dialogue, her facial expression suggesting contempt, indifference and cunning was far superior to The Countess. There was also a genuine human-moment in Scathach when her historical background was revealed.

The Countess was rather emotional towards the end of the season, I actually feel like she's a lovable character despite how she killed people and drank children's blood, but Scathach's execution was a feast for the eyes.