After fans were mesmerized and scared by Murder House, Asylum, and Coven,American Horror Storyseason 4 introduces a creepy circus and the unique characters who work there. Several actors from theAHSuniverse are in season 4 as well, from Jessica Lange to Emma Roberts, Evan Peters, Kathy Bates, and Jessica Lange. These 13 episodes aired on FX from October 2014 to January 2015.
American Horror Story: Freak Showhas just as many memorable, scary moments as the past three seasons and also features a horrifying and all-encompassing setting. From the first episode to the unforgettable ending,American Horror Storyseason 4 is one of the franchise’s most engaging and compelling seasons.
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What is American Horror Story Season 4 About?
Episode 1 ofAmerican Horror Storyseason 4, called “Monsters Among Us,” introduces viewers to Dot and Bette Tattler (Sarah Paulson) conjoined twins living in 1952 Jupiter, Florida. Elsa Mars (Jessica Lange), who is an amputee, asks them to be part of her circus. It’s a great opening episode that does exactly what it should: paints a compelling but mysterious picture of the main characters and also shares just how strange this setting is. This episode is an example of whyAmerican Horror Storyis one of thebest thriller TV shows of the 2010s.
The other unforgettable character introduced in the first episode is Twisty The Clown (John Caroll Lynch), who is definitely one of thescariest villains inAmerican Horror Story. Thanks to his deformed appearance, he was bullied a lot when he was younger, and that is why he has become so terrifying, dangerous, and violent today.American Horror Storyseason 4 has some other notable characters, including “Lobster Boy” Jimmy Darling (Evan Peters) and Desiree Dupree (Angela Bassett), who was once his stepmother. Emma Roberts played Maggie Esmerelda, a con artist who keeps everyone on their toes. Roberts’s character proves that in this horror TV franchise, no one can be trusted and everyone has a secret and a dark agenda.
All the characters inAmerican Horror Storyseason 4 are lost and in pain and searching for somewhere that they can call home. This theme is most present in Bette and Dot. Thanks to a strong performance fromrecurringAmerican Horror Storycast memberSarah Paulson, the conjoined twins are on an emotional journey from the first episode to the last. They want to be loved and to feel like they belong, just like everyone else at the circus. But, of course, since this place is all about turning “freaks” into entertainment, they have a horrible time performing. Each scene with the twins has just the right amount of dramatic tension.
How Does American Horror Story Season 4 End?
The ending ofAmerican Horror Storyseason 4 is just as well-crafted as theending ofAmerican Horror Storyseason 3. In episode 13 called “Curtain Call,” Dandy Mott (Finn Wittrock) goes on a murder spree and abducts the conjoined twins Dot and Bette. Thankfully, Jimmy, Desiree, and the twins work together to stop him and kill him by drowning.
Whenranking the seasons ofAmerican Horror Story, season 4 stands out because of the characters. Sure, it’s scary watching Twisty The Clown’s various killing sprees, but the season is really about the people who just want to belong. The fact that viewers care about the characters so much balances out all the scary, violent moments and elevates the episodes above typical, standard, and sometimes dull slasher fare.
American Horror Storyseason 4 wraps up the main characters' stories perfectly. Dot and Bette are Jimmy’s wives and they are now expecting his child. They watch Elsa’s Halloween show at the circus on TV along with Desiree, who is also a mother. Elsa is doing this because she has gotten into trouble and her past has caught up with her. After she marries Michael Beck (David Burtka), a man who is a big deal in the world of casting, she becomes successful. But after her Hollywood Walk of Fame star, she is told that her adult movie is making the rounds.
Whether someone considersAmerican Horror Storyseason 4the best season of the Ryan Murphy showor not, Freak Show delivers scares, well-developed characters, and a great ending. Unfortunately for Elsa, she knows that if she is at the circus on Halloween, Edward Mordrake (Wes Bentley) is going to show up. He lived a horrible life thanks to the fact that he has two different faces. As Elsa thought, he kills her and she is now in the afterlife. She sees the other Freak Show characters who have passed away. Mordrake has been waiting for this moment for a long time. It’s a smart and scary ending that works well.
