A Fresh Yet Haunting Overture: American Horror Story Season 12 Episode 1 Review

Creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk are at it again, mesmerizing viewers and bringing them into the world of another thrilling rollercoaster ride: Season 12. American Horror Story (AHS) has been a staple of mine since it first came screaming onto the scene. Props to director Jessica Yu and writer Halley Feiffer – this premiere episode left me wanting more, thanks to the fresh yet shudder-inducing storyline.

Credit: FX / Hulu

This season highlights Kim Kardashian in a rare scripted TV role that few could have foreseen. Kim K is backed by a star-studded cast, including Emma Roberts, Matt Czuchry, and Dennis O’Hare, in this vibrant, new take on the horror film Rosemary’s Baby (1968).

Whispering tales of some millennials’ biggest fears and frights, this season dares to examine the story of Rosemary’s Baby, considered a classic by some, through a millennial lens.

Episode 1 is titled “Multiply Thy Pain,” and it’s there that we meet Anna Victoria Alcott (Roberts), an actress on the verge of stardom as she tangles with the creepy and ominous in her quest to start a family with her husband Dex Harding (Czuchry). We explore their journey to parenthood, accompanied by nightmarish visions, cryptic messages, and a persistent eerie ambiance that melds with Manhattan’s glamorous elite.

Murphy and Falchuk deserve praise for their delicate handling of each character’s development and the hyperrealistic imagery that stays in the darkest corner of its viewers’ minds for long after the credits have rolled.

From the eerie circumstances surrounding Anna’s embryo treatment to the blood-cloaked figure haunting her and the sinister-looking women in red boots, viewers get all the cinematic frights that they expect from the series.

Credit: FX

Kim Kardashian’s charisma results in a surprisingly fitting role this season. Siobhan (Kardashian) is Anna’s publicist and confidant; a Type A personality that offers a grounded presence amid the unfolding horror. Her portrayal, whether you love it or hate it, definitely adds an interesting layer to the narrative. Noticeably absent from the premiere were well-known AHS talent including Evan Peters, Cara Delevigne, and Michaela Jae Rodriguez.

Anna’s journey delves deep into the psyche of modern-day anxieties, tackling career, motherhood, and identity with a unique style. Who doesn’t love a good cliffhanger? The words, “Don’t Do It, Anna,” symbolize the turning point that sets the groundwork for another psychological horror ride from AHS.

Credit: FX

The story, while a clear homage to Rosemary’s Baby, also draws inspiration from Danielle Valentine’s thriller novel Delicate Condition, portraying a feminist take that I appreciate.

As the curtain falls on the first episode of this long-awaited season, the stage is set for a tale of horror and reality intertwined, showing both the grotesque and the glamorous parts of the human experience – a true signature of AHS.

With the promise of uncovering sinister secrets in the episodes to follow, the words, “Do do it,” leave a haunted whisper echoing in the ears of AHS fans everywhere as they wait for the series’ latest chilling chapter to unravel.