American Horror Story: Freak Show (Review)

American Horror Story Returns with its fourth season titled 'Freak Show' and kicks off with a bang. Freak Show follows the carnie folk who inhabit Elsa's Cabinet of Curiosities, all of whom come from various often tragic backgrounds. The story is told through multiple points of view mainly focusing on Bette and Dot Tattler (Sarah Paulson), siamese twins who share one body but two heads; Jimmy Darling (Evan Peters), a young man who has hands shaped like lobster claws; and Elsa Mars (Jessica Lange), the mysterious leader with a dark secret.

Now is it any good? In my opinion, Freak Show is my favourite of the seasons through Roanoke. In Freak Show, creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk manage to find a great balance between character drama and horror. While watching Freak Show I found myself genuinely caring about what happens to each character and felt every death. Keep in mind, if you're looking for just straight horror this will most likely not be your favourite season. Freak Show regularly features musical performances, character building episodes, and standard drama. However, this does not keep the season from delivering the horror elements we all know and love from American Horror Story.

When looking back at the series as a whole, Freak Show always stands out in my mind. Many of the wackiest and all around messed up characters were brought in this season. One doesn't have to wait long to see the creepy and tragic serial killer Twisty the Clown (John Carroll Lynch) or the now notorious spoiled socialite with a penchant for murder Dandy Mott (Finn Wittrock) grace our screens with flamboyance and carnage.

Freak Show manages to create a tone and style that is all it's own. Regardless of how you think it compares to the other season it's sure to leave and impression. It's definitely become a divisive season in the fanbase with fans and detractors who love and hate it respectively. The music is haunting and fitting. The cinematography has the typical flashy AHS flare, but doesn't distract like some have accused of Hotel. The story takes its time to build and all culminates in a large payoff in the finale.

I give it 4.5 out of 5 cauldrons!