FX’s American Horror Story (AHS) should have ended at least 6 years ago. Co-created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, the storied anthology series has had its fair share of highs and lows since AHS season 1 debuted in 2011. The show’s initial outing, later subtitled Murder House, received acclaim for mashing together horror genre tropes, creating a compelling world, and fashioning a truly engaging, creepy story. Of course, American Horror Story: Murder House also introduced its viewers to an impressive ensemble of actors at all stages of their careers, from Evan Peters and Jessica Lange to Sarah Paulson.

AHS season 13 can learn something from an installment that debuted 6 years ago.

The follow-up to Murder House, the brutal American Horror Story: Asylum, captured downright terror rooted in history (and alien encounters), while season 3, AHS: Coven, leaned into the series’ campy roots. Those initial seasons didn’t always live up to their ambitions; famously, American Horror Story has trouble with endings. However, there were characters worth rooting for or being invested in. Later outings, including the recently-ended American Horror Story: Delicate, have proven that the anthology series has overstayed its welcome. At the very least, AHS season 13 can learn something from an installment that debuted 6 years ago.

American Horror Story: Apocalypse Should Have Been The End Of The Show

The End Of The World Story Was A Perfect Conclusion For AHS

In 2018, the anthology series released its eighth season, American Horror Story: Apocalypse. The 10-episode installment came on the heels of some of the series’ then-most divisive seasons. For example, the over-the-top AHS: Cult featured a mess of political stereotypes and used a character’s mental illness as a plot device. Before that, the meta AHS: Roanoke divided viewers with its smaller scale and structurally ambitious approach. Even the best seasons of American Horror Story aren’t infallible, though more recent efforts past season eight have definitely felt off at best and difficult to sit through at worst.

Apocalypse was a rewarding slow-burn…

AHS: Apocalypse was a welcome return to form. While it teased the involvement of Coven‘s witches, Apocalypse was a rewarding slow-burn, with the titular event forcing an eclectic group of survivors into a fallout shelter. The arrival of both Cody Fern’s Michael Langdon and Coven‘s witches deepened American Horror Story‘s inter-season connections and lore. The anti-christ child born at the end of Murder House, Michael allowed AHS to pay homage to its origins. It’s hard to think of better series finale than one that offers crossover fan service against a literal end-of-the-world backdrop.

What Went Wrong With American Horror Story Seasons Since Apocalypse

Even Before AHS: Apocalypse, The Series Had Missteps

The only thing more reliable than American Horror Story‘s revolving door of comitted cast members is the show’s unfettered weirdness and self-indulgent style. While there’s no definitive ranking of American Horror Story‘s seasons, the anthology’s weakest installments are clear examples of the show favoring style over substance. Before Apocalypse, the outlandish American Horror Story: Hotel was more interested in its shocking imagery and inventive characters than being a cohesive, fully engaging narrative, while AHS: Cult was intent on meeting the moment — in a too on-the-nose way. After Apocalypse, the series really took a dive.

AHS went from feeling different to being outright bad…

While American Horror Story: 1984 — the ninth installment — was a near-perfect homage to slasher films, it feels somehow separate from the rest of the AHS universe. In part, it’s because some of the show’s most dependable cast members didn’t return. Although it’s a solid, stylish thrill ride, 1984 doesn’t feel as enmeshed in the larger franchise universe than its fellow seasons. From season 10 onward, however, AHS went from feeling different to being outright bad. AHS: Double Feature offered up a compelling new twist on vampires in its first half, but squandered that goodwill when its second story devolved into a truly bizarre tale of aliens.

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American Horror Story Season 12’s Biggest Show Change Has Saved The Series

Although American Horror Story season 12 isn’t perfect, Delicate did make one big change that could save the future of the horror anthology series.

American Horror Story: NYC, which trades the supernatural for serial killers and the incompetent cops who hunt them, and AHS: Delicate, which riffs on Rosemary’s Baby, still boast the anthology’s signature style. However, like the second half of Double Feature, NYC and Delicate have committed a far graver sin: The later seasons of American Horror Story just aren’t that interesting. It’s possible that viewers have become so accustomed to the show’s strange style that that alone no longer makes something memorable.

American Horror Story Season Title
AHS Season #

Murder House
1

Asylum
2

Coven
3

Freak Show
4

Hotel
5

Roanoke
6

Cult
7

Apocalypse
8

1984
9

Double Feature
10

NYC
11

Delicate
12

How American Horror Story Season 13 Can Be Good Again

AHS Season 13 Needs To Put Its Characters First

While Apocalypse‘s end of the world stakes and crossover potential would have served as the perfect series finale, American Horror Story has persisted. Still, in the wake of Delicate‘s mixed reviews, AHS has been renewed for yet another outing. While not much is known about American Horror Story season 13’s premise, past installments of the horror anthology have made one thing crystal clear. In order to succeed — and in order to be a memorable season of television — American Horror Story needs to put a renewed focus on creating compelling characters who can stand alongside Constance Langdon, Lana Winters, and Madison Montgomery.