HOLLYWOOD—Just when I thought “The Walking Dead” was the scariest series on television, FX unleashes “American Horror Story,” which tackles fear in ways audiences have never seen before. The series, which was developed by “Glee” creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, tells the classic tale of a haunted house. Haunted houses have always been known to be scary, but this series delves to another level. The premise follows the Harmon family, who has recently relocated from Boston to Los Angeles. 

Dylan McDermott stars as Ben, a psychiatrist who has been unfaithful to his wife Vivien, who is played by Connie Britton. It’s obvious after seeing the family that there are problems plaguing them. Violet (Taissa Farmiga) is disconnected from her parents; there doesn’t seem to be much interaction between the three as a family. This only makes the mysteries surrounding the house and the Harmon family much more fascinating.  Jessica Lange as their creepy neighbor Constance is phenomenal, as is her daughter Adelaide (Jamie Brewer), who is drawn to the house and its inhabitants. 

The pilot gave audiences so much to process that I thought my brain was going to explode after seeing Vivien have sex with the rubber man. Not only was it creepy, but it sent chills down my spine. I’d be the first to admit that I left the room with the lights on and was afraid to go to sleep after watching. With each episode, the audience is treated to a backstory of the house's previous inhabitants, all who endured terrible tragedies.  Ben continues to tussle with his fling Hayden (Kate Mara), who was pregnant with his child before she was dispatched by the house.

Connie Britton and Dylan McDermott star in "American Horror Story" on FX.

 

The frightening aspect of the series is that as a viewer you never quite know everyone’s motives. What exactly is Constance after? Why is this house so evil? What’s wrong with Tate (Evan Peters) and how does Larry Harvey (Denis O’Hare) tie into everything? Everyone is connected, and that suspense keeps viewers glued to their seats.

“American Horror Story” does a clever job of placing the viewer into the characters' shoes. We’re all telling ourselves we’d leave that house after the first strange occurrence, but would we truly do that? After intruders invade the house, it was only a matter of time before Vivien and Violet exit the front door, but why in the world would they return? The surprise death of Adelaide shocked me, which makes it evident that anyone is expendable. Perhaps your mind is boggled about who is the father of Vivien’s baby, Ben or the Rubber Man? The layers behind troubled Tate are slowly being revealed as we delve deeper into his past, as well as the pasts of Constance and Larry. With so many surprises already this season, the anticipation for the second season makes me that much more excited.

A unique twist in the series is the question of whether a vast majority of the characters are ghosts or actual live people. Throughout time, we’ve become accustomed to understanding that ghosts can be seen, but not touched/ “American Horror Story” breaks that ideology. While doubts exist that factual evidence has yet to present itself to make a clear argument.  If there is one thing viewers should know about this thrilling series, it is that it’s fresh, horrific and spine-tingling good with some intriguing characters. “American Horror Story” airs on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on FX. Halloween may be over, but the scares are just beginning.

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