On Wednesday, Sept.18, season 9 of the cult phenom, American Horror Story, 1984 premiered on FX. This season takes viewers back to the 1980s and follows a group of young camp counselors—Brooke Thompson (Emma Roberts), Montana Duke (Billie Lourd), Xavier Plympton (Cody Fern), Chet Clancy (Gus Kenworthy), Ray Powell (DeRon Horton) at Camp Redwood. The “Scooby gang” like group decide to take a break from the crazy hot summer in the city of LA as there has been a spike in unsolved murders by The Night Stalker. A real-life serial killer, Richard Ramirez, that was convicted on 13 counts of murder in 1989. Brooke is reluctant at first about joining the rest of the “Scooby gang” for the summer at camp Redwood. Until later that night, when The Night Stalker assaults her. Brooke survives her encounter with the serial killer, and he vows to find and kill her.
"You're going to be famous. You're going to die by the hands of the Night Stalker. I will find you. Satan will show me the way." - Richard Ramirez, "The Night Stalker," AHS 1984
Brooke joins the rest of the gang as they hit the road to start their summer at camp Redwood. By now at this point in episode one, I am completely hooked and wondering what is in store for them this season. The thing that has me so invested is, how AHS 1984 caters to the classic horror slasher genre. There’s a mysterious back story that answers some questions while also raising more. I will admit, like many other fans of the series, I was a bit skeptical when it was announced that many series regulars would not be returning this season. However, after screening episode one, I believe the casting for this season is perfect for this story. There are two new additions to the AHS franchise that stood out. One was Angelica Ross, who plays the role of Rita, the camp’s nurse. She takes this role on very well and it is nowhere near her breakout role as Candy of the hit series “Pose.” The other is Deron Horton as Ray Powell, portraying a more fun and social character than his role as Lionel Higgins on “Dear White People.”
There are so many routes this new season could explore and bring in a new outlook on the iconic horror slasher genre that peaked in the 1980s and 1990s.
“American Horror Story: 1984” airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on FX.