American Horror Story season 8, subtitled Apocalypse, has one of the bleakest settings of the entire anthology franchise. What is more dark and depressing than the end of the world? This season stands out since it's a crossover with characters from Hotel, Murder House and Coven showing up when viewers least expect them to.
American Horror Story season 8 aired in the fall of 2018. In the time leading up to its release, it was clear that fan-favorite characters would return, and viewers were curious about who would be back to wreak havoc once again. American Horror Story season 8 has a unique premise and truly terrifying ending.
What Is American Horror Story Season 8 About?
Since the season features a crossover, American Horror Story season 8 has characters from past seasons of the anthology series. Queenie (Gabourey Sidibe) and Madison Montgomery (Emma Watson) from American Horror Story season 3 are back, along with Constance Langdon (Jessica Lange), Vivien Harmon (Connie Britton), Violent Harmon (Taissa Farmiga), and Dr. Ben Harmon (Dylan McDermott) from American Horror Story: Murder House.
Episode one of American Horror Story season 8, called "The End," the world has ended. There are two main characters who have somehow escaped the fates of others: Emily (Ash Santos) and Timothy Campbell (Kyle Allen). A group called The Cooperative has decided that these two have to stay alive, which sets up the main mystery of the season. As Emily and Timothy fall in love, they learn more about the nuclear winter that has taken place, and they do what they can to get through this horrible time with several other characters. They live in Outpost 3, which Wilhemina Venable, set up. Sarah Paulson, a recurring American Horror Story cast member, once again shows how versatile she is as an actor.
The main storyline of American Horror Story season 8 revolves around the rules and regulations that those living in Outpost 3 are supposed to follow. The Rubber Man from American Horror Story season 1 shows up again and they sleep with Mr. Gallant (Evan Peters), who works for Venable.
The plot becomes pretty wild in episode 3, "Forbidden Fruit," when the witches from season 3 arrive at Outpost 3 to cause some mischief. Thanks to Cordelia Goode (Paulson), Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt (Leslie Grossman), Dinah Stevens (Adina Porter), and Mallory (Billie Lourd) have been brought back to life. While there are many scary villains in the American Horror Story franchise, the American Horror Story: Coven witches are fighting one of the most terrifying ones: Michael Langdon (Cody Fern). Because Vivien slept with the ghost of Tate Langdon (Peters) and gave birth to Michael, he is the Antichrist and can bring on the apocalypse.
How Does American Horror Story Season 8 End?
Episode 10 of American Horror Story season 8, "Apocalypse Then," sees the witches from American Horror Story: Coven more powerful than ever before. Mallory becomes the Supreme Witch when Cordelia takes her own life in order for this to occur. Many consider American Horror Story: Asylum to be the best season, and like season 2 of the horror anthology, American Horror Story season 8 has a clear villain whom everyone is fighting against. That allows the episodes to feel grounded despite everything that is going on.
Before that happens, though, the witches are up against Michael and Dinah, who they are shocked to learn has turned against them. Madison kills Michael and Marie Laveau (Angela Bassett), who was the voodoo queen, kills Dinah. These two deaths are victories for the coven who are hoping that they can finish their mission. This confidence doesn't last long, however. When Michael comes back to life and murders Coco, Marie, and Madison, it's a truly shocking moment.
In what is the most powerful scene of American Horror Story season 8, Mallory murders Michael in 2015. This means that he can't become the Antichrist and that the witches have finished their mission. When compared to some other seasons of American Horror Story, Apocalypse is unique, and it deserves praise for that reason.
Many American Horror Story fans remember that at the end of American Horror Story season 8, Madison is in Hell, which adds some humor to an otherwise dark and grim season. The episode concludes with Devan (Nicholas Hodge), the son of Emily and Timothy, murdering his nanny in 2020, which proves that all is not well. It is clear that Devan will be the next Antichrist and that even though Michael is dead, trouble is still brewing.
Every season of American Horror Story is filled with a sometimes overwhelming amount of characters and plotlines. It's possible to say that some seasons, like American Horror Story season 4 which is set at a circus, are a bit more streamlined. American Horror Story season 8 is definitely wild, chaotic, and at times, the different timelines could be more carefully constructed. Overall, though, American Horror Story season 8 is a fun ride for fans who have been with the franchise since the start.