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American Horror Story: Apocalypse
American Horror Story: Apocalypse
from Wikipedia

American Horror Story: Apocalypse
Promotional poster and home media cover art
ShowrunnerRyan Murphy
Starring
No. of episodes10
Release
Original networkFX
Original releaseSeptember 12 (2018-09-12) –
November 14, 2018 (2018-11-14)
Season chronology
← Previous
Cult
Next →
1984
List of episodes

The eighth season of the American horror anthology television series American Horror Story, subtitled Apocalypse, features the witches from the New Orleans coven as they battle the Antichrist and attempt to prevent the world from ending. The season is presented as a crossover between Murder House, Coven, and Hotel. The ensemble cast includes Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Adina Porter, Billie Lourd, Leslie Grossman, Cody Fern, Emma Roberts, Cheyenne Jackson, and Kathy Bates, with all returning from previous seasons, except newcomer Fern.

Created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk for the cable network FX, the series is produced by 20th Century Fox Television. Apocalypse set in 2026 was broadcast between September 12 and November 14, 2018,[1] consisting of 10 episodes. The season was announced in January 2017[2] and received positive reviews from critics. In April 2019, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which presents the Primetime Emmy Awards, announced that, for the first time in the series' history, a season would not qualify for the Limited Series categories, and would instead be moved to Drama.[3] Apocalypse was ultimately nominated to five categories, including Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for Jessica Lange.

Cast and characters

[edit]

Main

[edit]
Apocalypse main cast
Sarah Paulson
Evan Peters
Billie Lourd
Leslie Grossman
Cody Fern
Emma Roberts
Cheyenne Jackson
Kathy Bates

Special guest stars

[edit]

Recurring

[edit]

Guest stars

[edit]

Episodes

[edit]
No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateProd.
code
US viewers
(millions)
851"The End"Bradley BueckerRyan Murphy & Brad FalchukSeptember 12, 2018 (2018-09-12)8ATS013.08[4]
In the near future, nuclear missiles destroy the world and start a nuclear winter. Thanks to her family's private plane, billionaire socialite Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt manages to escape the destruction of Los Angeles with her assistant Mallory, her hairdresser Malcolm Gallant, and his grandmother, Evie. Coco's boyfriend Brock tries to meet with the plane but is stranded in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, an organization known as "The Cooperative" selects young adults to save from the apocalypse, based on their genetic makeup. Two of the selected, Timothy and Emily, are sent to Outpost 3, an underground base led by Ms. Wilhemina Venable and her assistant Ms. Mead. There, they are reunited with other survivors, including Coco, Mallory, Malcolm, and Evie. Life at the Outpost includes strict rules and severe punishments. Eighteen months pass and the situation and food supplies are in critical condition at the Outpost. A man from the Cooperative, Michael Langdon, arrives and announces that he will judge who deserves to be truly saved.
862"The Morning After"Jennifer LynchJames WongSeptember 19, 2018 (2018-09-19)8ATS022.21[5]
Langdon introduces himself to the guests of Outpost 3 and explains his duty. He asks Gallant about his sexual orientation and his hatred towards his grandmother. Later, the Rubber Man approaches Gallant in his bedroom, and Evie catches the two having sex. She reports their insubordination to Ms. Mead. Timothy and Emily discover recent Cooperative e-mails detailing Venable's transgressions against proper Outpost protocol. Gallant refuses to reveal the identity of the Rubber Man to Venable. Gallant assures Langdon that he did not reveal his identity, and Langdon asserts that he is not the Rubber Man and would never have sex with him. Timothy and Emily cast aspersions on the rules of Outpost 3, and they have sex for the first time. The Rubber Man attempts to seduce Gallant once again, and Gallant stabs him with scissors. Langdon appears, and Gallant finds himself looking upon his grandmother's bloody corpse. Timothy and Emily are caught in bed and are sentenced to death. Timothy shoots Mead in the stomach, and her wound reveals internal wiring and white liquid.
873"Forbidden Fruit"Loni PeristereManny CotoSeptember 26, 2018 (2018-09-26)8ATS031.95[6]
Langdon unveils his true demonic form to Mallory, and she makes flames shoot from a fireplace. Venable confides to Mead that she has not been selected to move on to the Sanctuary and Mead suggests they kill everyone. Brock navigates a nuclear wasteland and guns down a cannibalistic tribe. He then beholds a horse-drawn carriage pass by. The carriage delivers apples to Outpost 3, and Venable resolves to inject them with venom. Brock infiltrates Outpost 3 and attends Venable's Halloween masquerade ball. Coco, presuming Brock to be Langdon in costume, seduces him back to her bedroom. Brock then reveals himself to Coco and stabs her in the forehead. The Outpost 3 guests bob for poisonous apples. Venable instructs everyone to wait to eat simultaneously. The guests comply and concurrently succumb to the poison. Venable and Mead confront Langdon, and Venable proclaims that they will be making the selections. Mead attempts to shoot Langdon but finds herself turning the gun on Venable against her will and shooting her, under the order of Langdon. Langdon reveals that he created Mead and that she was modeled after a caregiver from his childhood, which consoles her. Later, Cordelia Goode, Madison Montgomery, and Myrtle Snow descend upon Outpost 3 and Cordelia resurrects Mallory, Dinah, and Coco.
884"Could It Be... Satan?"Sheree FolksonTim MinearOctober 3, 2018 (2018-10-03)8ATS042.02[7]
Three years before the nuclear blast, the Hawthorne School for Exceptional Young Men (a school for warlocks and the future Outpost 3) seeks out Michael Langdon, who has been arrested for killing a man who insulted the woman Mead is modeled after, as well as the arresting officer. He is put through several tests and displays tremendous abilities. At Miss Robichaux's Academy, Zoe is impressed by Mallory's skill at witchcraft. The Coven is summoned to Hawthorne for a meeting, and Cordelia scoffs at the Grand Chancellor's suspicion that Michael may be the first male Supreme, known as the Alpha. To prove his power, Michael saves Queenie from eternal damnation at the Hotel Cortez (which Cordelia was previously unable to do) and fetches Madison from her personal hell.
895"Boy Wonder"Gwyneth Horder-PaytonJohn J. GrayOctober 10, 2018 (2018-10-10)8ATS052.12[8]
Cordelia has a frightening vision of a destroyed Miss Robichaux's Academy and being attacked by disease-ridden people. Later, she announces that Langdon will take the Seven Wonders, something that she is berated for by Myrtle. Mallory's abilities soon intensify, and Cordelia reveals that she is dying and slowly losing her Supremacy. John Henry Moore discovers Langdon's true self, but Mead interferes before he can warn anyone and kills him. During the test, Cordelia asks Langdon to bring Misty Day back to life, so he breaks her out of her personal hell. It is revealed that Cordelia has been planning an army against Langdon and used him to resurrect her students. Later, Cordelia asks Madison and a suspicious Behold to investigate Langdon's origins at the Murder House.
906"Return to Murder House"Sarah PaulsonCrystal LiuOctober 17, 2018 (2018-10-17)8ATS062.01[9]
Madison and Behold buy the Murder House on behalf of the Coven, under the pretense that they are a married couple. They cast a spell to force the spirits of the house to appear to them. They encounter the ghost of Constance Langdon, who agrees to provide information on her grandson Michael if they banish her old nemesis, Moira O'Hara, from the house. Madison and Behold exhume Moira's bones and bury them with her mother's; Moira is then set free from the house. Constance tells them that she sensed evil in Michael from very early on. In his youth, he began killing animals and then his babysitter. After Michael ages ten years overnight, Constance enlists the help of a Catholic priest, whom Michael kills. Constance, out of hopelessness, commits suicide in the Murder House, where she is reunited with Tate, Beauregard, and her fourth child, a little girl with no eyes. Madison and Behold then interview Ben and Vivien Harmon, who further reveal the evil in Michael's soul. Vivien tells them that Michael's father is neither Ben nor Tate but the evil of the Murder House. Before leaving with Behold, Madison reunites Tate and Violet.
917"Traitor"Jennifer LynchAdam PennOctober 24, 2018 (2018-10-24)8ATS071.85[10]
With the help of voodoo queen Dinah Stevens, Cordelia arranges a meeting with Papa Legba in an attempt to prevent Langdon's plans. Legba reveals that he owns Nan's soul and agrees to help entrap Langdon under the condition that Cordelia give him the souls of the remaining girls. Cordelia refuses, and Legba disappears. To learn more about the warlocks and their plans, Madison enlists the help of Myrtle's long-time friend, witch-actress Bubbles McGee, who specializes in reading the thoughts and souls of others. At a dinner party held by Myrtle, Bubbles discovers that Ariel and Baldwin know about the death of John Henry and that they are planning to kill the women of the coven. Zoe suspects Mallory to be the true next Supreme after she saves Coco from choking, and confides in Cordelia. Later, Mallory passes the Seven Wonders after successfully resurrecting John Henry. The coven then captures Ariel, Baldwin, and Mead and burns them at the stake for their betrayals.
928"Sojourn"Bradley BueckerJosh GreenOctober 31, 2018 (2018-10-31)8ATS081.63[11]
After breaking down over Mead's charred remains, Langdon is confronted by Cordelia, who informs him that a spell hides Mead's soul. Langdon, unable to bring her back, flees into the forest seeking guidance from Satan. Unsuccessfully, Langdon remains strong but confused and is led to an obscure Satanic church in the city. At the church, he meets Madelyn, who takes him to her home and offers him food. At her house, Madelyn tells Langdon that she has secured everything in life by selling her soul. Langdon reveals that he is the Antichrist, and Madelyn takes him back to the church, where the congregation falls at his feet in worship. Langdon tells his followers that he has no ambition or plan now that Mead is dead, despite their willingness to help usher in the end of times. Madelyn takes Langdon to a robotics corporation run by engineers Mutt and Jeff, who have sold their souls the same way the other Satanists have. It is revealed that Ms. Venable worked for the corporation before the nuclear blast and that Mutt and Jeff were responsible for creating Mead's android.
939"Fire and Reign"Jennifer ArnoldAsha Michelle WilsonNovember 7, 2018 (2018-11-07)8ATS091.65[12]
Dinah helps Langdon and Mead infiltrate the Coven in exchange for Satan green-lighting her talk show. Mead kills most of the witches, including Queenie, Bubbles, and Zoe. The remaining girls take refuge in Misty's swamp-shack, where Cordelia is unable to resurrect them as Langdon destroyed their souls. Myrtle tells them of an ancient spell that can undo past events and asks Mallory to travel to Russia in 1918 and save Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna, a witch, from her execution. Mallory's attempt to save Anastasia fails, although Myrtle notes that she is the first witch to travel through time successfully. Because of Mallory's near-success, Cordelia contemplates her own death so Mallory can rise as the new Supreme, but Myrtle discourages her. Cordelia and Myrtle find that Langdon has murdered all the warlocks, including John Henry and Behold, at Hawthorne's School. Mutt and Jeff, who have been controlling Mead the whole time, meet with Langdon and inform him that the Cooperative is the ancient Order of the Illuminati, an organization made up of world elites that have sold their souls to Satan. Langdon meets with the Illuminati, informing them of the Outposts and plans the end of times.
9410"Apocalypse Then"Bradley BueckerRyan Murphy & Brad FalchukNovember 14, 2018 (2018-11-14)8ATS101.83[13]
After discovering Langdon's plan for the Outposts, the Coven decides to hide Coco and Mallory in Outpost 3 by giving them new identities and making sure they survive the apocalypse while Mallory's powers are growing. After discovering Dinah's involvement with Langdon, Cordelia, Myrtle, and Madison bury themselves in the swamp mud to survive the nuclear blast. After the apocalypse, the Coven faces Langdon. As Dinah pledges allegiance to Langdon, a newly regenerated Marie Laveau kills her for her betrayal. Cordelia then destroys Mead while Madison shoots Langdon to buy Mallory's time travel spell. While Langdon kills Madison, Marie, and Coco, Mallory is stabbed by Brock, prompting Cordelia to sacrifice herself to allow Mallory's rise as the new Supreme. Mallory casts the spell and returns to 2015, where she runs over a younger Langdon multiple times. Michael begs Constance to take him to the Murder House to preserve his spirit, but she refuses, thus preventing the apocalypse. Mallory eventually returns to Miss Robichaux's Academy, saving Queenie and Misty from their future fates. Meanwhile, Timothy and Emily meet in the new present and, years later, have a son together, who later kills his nanny. Anton LaVey, Samantha Crowe, and Mead, who work for the cult known as the Delicates, visit them claiming they came to help.

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

On January 12, 2017, the series was renewed for an eighth season, which premiered on September 12, 2018.[2][1] In October 2016, series co-creator Ryan Murphy announced a "crossover" season between previous cycles Murder House and Coven.[14] In January 2018, he stated that the ninth season would most likely feature the crossover;[15] however, in June 2018, he announced that the eighth season was chosen instead.[16] Murphy has also stated that the eighth season would be set 18 months in the future and would feature an Asylum and Coven tone.[15][17] In July 2018, it was announced at San Diego Comic-Con that the title of the season would be Apocalypse.[18]

In April 2018, it was revealed that series veteran Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters would make their directorial debut in an episode.[19] It was later revealed that Paulson would direct the sixth episode.[20] Peters, in the end, did not direct an episode.

As with previous seasons, several teasers were released.[21] On September 4, 2018, a short trailer was released, followed by a longer trailer the next day.[22][23]

Casting

[edit]

In October 2017, it was announced that series mainstay Sarah Paulson would return for the season. In March 2018, it was announced that Kathy Bates and Evan Peters would also return, leading the season with Paulson.[24] In April 2018, Joan Collins joined the cast as the grandmother of Peters' character.[17] In April and May 2018, Cult actors Adina Porter, Cheyenne Jackson, Billy Eichner, Leslie Grossman, and Billie Lourd were also confirmed to return.[25][26]

In June 2018, Emma Roberts revealed that she would return for Apocalypse, reprising her role as Madison Montgomery from Coven.[27] That same month, Murphy revealed that other witches from Coven had all been invited to return,[27] and also stated that he had asked Anjelica Huston to join the cast,[28] while Paulson confirmed that she would reprise her Coven role, Cordelia Goode.[20] In July 2018, it was reported that Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman and Kyle Allen would guest star in the season.[29] Later that month, Murphy revealed via Twitter that American Crime Story actor Cody Fern joined the cast as a grown-up Michael Langdon, the Antichrist born during the events of Murder House.[30]

In August 2018, Pose actor Billy Porter announced via Instagram that he would appear in the season.[31] Later, during the Television Critics Association press tour, it was announced that Jessica Lange would appear in the season's sixth episode as her Murder House character, Constance Langdon.[20] After FX released the season's first teaser, actress Lesley Fera revealed via Twitter that she would appear in the season premiere.[32] Later, Ryan Murphy confirmed via Twitter that Taissa Farmiga, Gabourey Sidibe, Lily Rabe, Frances Conroy, and Stevie Nicks would all appear during the season,[33] and that they would all reprise the roles they played in Coven.[34][35] In the same month, Angela Bassett, who appeared in four previous seasons, confirmed that she would not appear in the season;[34] however, Bassett appeared in the last episode of the season, playing Marie Laveau, the role she played in Coven. Later, Finn Wittrock, who appeared in three past seasons, confirmed that he would not appear in Apocalypse.[36] The same day, it was announced that original cast members Connie Britton and Dylan McDermott would be returning for the season,[37] and Ryan Murphy later confirmed that they would reprise their Murder House roles, Vivien and Ben Harmon, respectively.[38] Later, Murphy revealed that Evan Peters and Taissa Farmiga would be reprising their Murder House roles, Tate Langdon and Violet Harmon, respectively.[39]

In September 2018, it was revealed that Erika Ervin would be returning for Apocalypse after having a recurring role in Freak Show.[40] It was also reported that actress Ash Santos would appear in the season.[41]

Filming

[edit]

In April 2018, Murphy revealed that filming for the season would begin in June 2018.[17]

Reception

[edit]

Ratings

[edit]
Viewership and ratings per episode of American Horror Story: Apocalypse
No. Title Air date Rating
(18–49)
Viewers
(millions)
DVR
(18–49)
DVR viewers
(millions)
Total
(18–49)
Total viewers
(millions)
1 "The End" September 12, 2018 1.5 3.08[4] 1.5 3.17 3.0 6.26[42]
2 "The Morning After" September 19, 2018 1.1 2.21[5] 1.2 2.41 2.3 4.63[43][a]
3 "Forbidden Fruit" September 26, 2018 0.9 1.95[6]
4 "Could It Be... Satan?" October 3, 2018 1.0 2.02[7] 1.6 3.05 2.6 5.08[44]
5 "Boy Wonder" October 10, 2018 1.0 2.12[8] 1.4 2.82 2.4 4.95[45]
6 "Return to Murder House" October 17, 2018 0.9 2.01[9] 1.2 2.40 2.1 4.41[46][a]
7 "Traitor" October 24, 2018 0.9 1.85[10] 1.1 2.20 2.0 4.07[47][a]
8 "Sojourn" October 31, 2018 0.7 1.63[11] 1.1 2.12 1.8 3.75[48][a]
9 "Fire and Reign" November 7, 2018 0.8 1.65[12] 1.1 2.19 1.9 3.84[49][a]
10 "Apocalypse Then" November 14, 2018 0.8 1.83[13] 1.1 2.24 1.9 4.07[50][a]

Critical response

[edit]

American Horror Story: Apocalypse received positive reviews, with many considering it as an improvement over the recent seasons. The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gave the season a 79% approval rating, with an average rating of 6.95/10, based on 193 reviews. The critical consensus reads, "Ryan Murphy and his murderers' row of witchy performers literally save the world -- and franchise -- in Apocalypse, the series' most ambitious crossover swing yet."[51] On Metacritic, the season was given a score of 63 out of 100 based on 6 reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[52]


American Horror Story (season 8): Critical reception by episode

Season 8 (2018): Percentage of positive critics' reviews tracked by the website Rotten Tomatoes[51]


Awards and nominations

[edit]

In its eighth season, the series has been nominated for 20 awards. Five of them were won.

Year Association Category Nominee(s) Result
2019 10th Dorian Awards[53] Campy TV Show of the Year American Horror Story: Apocalypse Nominated
23rd Art Directors Guild Awards Television Movie or Mini-Series Valdar Wilt (for "Fire and Reign") Nominated
21st Costume Designers Guild Awards Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Television Paula Bradley, Lou Eyrich Nominated
2019 Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards[54][55] TV Miniseries or Movie Made for TV: Best Contemporary Make-Up Eryn Krueger Mekash, Kim Ayers, Silvina Knight Won
TV Miniseries or Movie Made for TV: Best Contemporary Hair Styling Michelle Ceglia, Helena Cepeda, Romaine Markus-Meyers Nominated
TV Miniseries or Movie Made for TV: Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling Michelle Ceglia, Helena Cepeda, Lydia Fantini Nominated
TV Miniseries or Movie Made for TV: Best Special Make-Up Effects Eryn Krueger Mekash, Mike Mekash, David Anderson Nominated
Commercials and Music Videos: Best Make-Up Kerry Herta, Jason Collins, Cristina Waltz (for "Promo") Won
Commercials and Music Videos: Best Hair Styling Joe Matke, Fernando Santaella-Navarro (for "Promo") Won
66th Golden Reel Awards[56][57] Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Episodic Short Form – Music / Musical David Klotz (for "The End") Won
21st Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Best Series American Horror Story: Apocalypse Nominated
30th GLAAD Media Awards[58] Outstanding TV Movie or Limited Series Nominated
45th Saturn Awards Best Horror Television Series Nominated
71st Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series Jessica Lange (for "Return to Murder House") Nominated
Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes Lou Eyrich, Paula Bradley, Rebecca Guzzi, Charlene Amateau (for "Forbidden Fruit") Nominated
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series Michelle Ceglia, Helena Cepeda, Lydia Fantani, Romaine Markus-Meyers (for "Forbidden Fruit") Nominated
Outstanding Makeup for a Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic) Eryn Krueger Mekash, Kim Ayers, Michael Mekash, Silvina Knight, Jamie Leigh Devilla (for "Forbidden Fruit") Nominated
Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Limited Series, Movie or Special Eryn Krueger Mekash, Michael Mekash, Steve LaPorte, Jake Garber, Vance Hartwell, Silvina Knight, Glen Eisner, David Leroy Anderson (for "Apocalypse Then") Nominated
17th Gold Derby Awards Best Drama Guest Actor Dylan McDermott Nominated
Best Drama Guest Actress Jessica Lange Won

Ratings

[edit]
Viewership and ratings per episode of American Horror Story: Apocalypse
No. Title Air date Rating
(18–49)
Viewers
(millions)
DVR
(18–49)
DVR viewers
(millions)
Total
(18–49)
Total viewers
(millions)
1 "The End" September 12, 2018 1.5 3.08[4] 1.5 3.17 3.0 6.26[42]
2 "The Morning After" September 19, 2018 1.1 2.21[5] 1.2 2.41 2.3 4.63[43][a]
3 "Forbidden Fruit" September 26, 2018 0.9 1.95[6]
4 "Could It Be... Satan?" October 3, 2018 1.0 2.02[7] 1.6 3.05 2.6 5.08[44]
5 "Boy Wonder" October 10, 2018 1.0 2.12[8] 1.4 2.82 2.4 4.95[45]
6 "Return to Murder House" October 17, 2018 0.9 2.01[9] 1.2 2.40 2.1 4.41[46][a]
7 "Traitor" October 24, 2018 0.9 1.85[10]
8 "Sojourn" October 31, 2018 0.7 1.63[11]
9 "Fire and Reign" November 7, 2018 0.8 1.65[12]
10 "Apocalypse Then" November 14, 2018 0.8 1.83[13]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Live +7 ratings were not available, so Live +3 ratings have been used instead.

Home media

[edit]
American Horror Story: Apocalypse – The Complete Eight Season
Set Details
  • 10 Episodes
  • 3 Disc Set (DVD)
  • 3 Disc Set (BD)
  • English & Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 2.0 Surround
  • Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
  • Runtime: 431 Minutes
Release Dates
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
September 24, 2019 (2019-09-24)[59] August 26, 2019 (2019-08-26)[60] August 7, 2019 (2019-08-07)[61]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
American Horror Story: Apocalypse is the eighth season of the anthology horror television series , created by Ryan Murphy and . The season premiered on September 12, 2018, and concluded on November 14, 2018, consisting of ten episodes. Serving as a direct crossover with the series' first season, Murder House, and third season, Coven, Apocalypse reunites characters from those installments, including the Antichrist Michael Langdon and the coven of witches led by Cordelia Goode. Set in the near future following a in 2021, the narrative centers on a group of elite survivors sheltered in Outpost 3, a luxurious bunker governed by the authoritarian Wilhemina Venable () and her assistant Miriam Mead (). Tensions escalate when Michael Langdon () arrives as an emissary of the enigmatic Cooperative, conducting interviews to select candidates for a purported while threats and revelations from the past unravel the fragile society. The season features a prominent , with returning series staples such as (as hairdresser Malcolm Gallant and others), (as Madison Montgomery), (as Zoe Benson), (as Misty Day), (as Myrtle Snow), and (as Queenie), alongside newcomers like (as Mallory), (as Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt), and (as Brock). Produced by 20th Century Fox Television, explores themes of end-times survival, occult power, and moral ambiguity, blending horror, , and campy drama characteristic of the franchise. Upon release, the season garnered generally positive critical reception for its ambitious crossover narrative and strong performances, earning a 79% approval rating on based on 193 reviews. It also achieved strong viewership, with the premiere drawing 3.1 million viewers in live-plus-three-day metrics, marking FX's highest-rated telecast of at the time.

Premise

Plot overview

The eighth season of American Horror Story, titled Apocalypse, is set in the aftermath of a that devastates the in 2020, with the primary action unfolding 18 months later in Outpost 3, a fortified sheltering a select group of elite survivors chosen for their wealth or genetic viability. Under the authoritarian rule of Wilhemina Venable and her assistant Miriam Mead, the residents endure a rigid, color-coded and monotonous amid dwindling resources and psychological tension, as radiation-ravaged wastelands render the outside uninhabitable. The narrative centers on the core conflict between the emerging forces of darkness, embodied by Michael Langdon—the introduced in prior seasons—and the witches of the , led by Supreme Cordelia Goode, who mobilize to thwart his plan for ultimate destruction. As Michael's arrival at Outpost 3 disrupts the fragile order and reveals his demonic origins, the survivors grapple with tests of loyalty and survival instincts, while the uncovers the supernatural manipulations behind the . Major plot arcs trace the initial struggles of bunker life in the , escalating revelations about Michael's rise to power, and a desperate time-travel intervention by the witches to rewrite history and prevent the catastrophe. The season builds to a climactic showdown featuring rituals, fragile alliances across factions, and profound sacrifices, weaving in themes of good versus , the inescapability of fate, and the possibility of redemption amid existential chaos.

Crossover connections

American Horror Story: Apocalypse serves as the first major crossover season in the anthology series, directly integrating characters, events, and lore from prior installments to form a cohesive narrative arc. On June 14, 2018, series co-creator Ryan Murphy confirmed via Twitter that season 8 would feature a crossover between the first season, Murder House, and the third, Coven, fulfilling long-standing fan theories about an interconnected universe across the show's cycles. This structure positions Apocalypse as a sequel that resolves lingering supernatural threats, emphasizing continuity over standalone storytelling. The season prominently revisits Murder House through the character of Michael Langdon, the born to Vivien Harmon in 2011, whose demonic upbringing and rapid aging are explored in flashbacks set in the original haunted residence. Michael's return to the Murder House provides backstory on his transformation into the adult harbinger of doom, including interactions with ghosts like Constance Langdon and the suit, tying directly to the season 1 finale where he was prophesied to usher in the end times. This reconnection not only recaps Michael's origins but also features returning cast members reprising their roles to depict his early malevolent development. Links to Coven are equally central, with the return of the witch coven led by Supreme Cordelia Goode, who assembles her sisters—including Misty Day, Madison Montgomery, and Queenie—to counter Michael's apocalyptic influence. The season incorporates Coven's Seven Wonders ritual, a grueling test of magical prowess involving telekinesis, mind control, and resurrection, which the witches undertake to bolster their abilities and challenge Michael's supremacy. These elements revive the season 3 exploration of witchcraft hierarchy and power dynamics, positioning the coven as humanity's last defense. A subtler incorporation draws from , particularly through Queenie's unresolved storyline, where she was trapped in the Hotel Cortez hell dimension after her disappearance. In , Cordelia's failed rescue attempt at the Cortez highlights supernatural barriers enforced by figures like James Patrick , with Michael ultimately intervening to free Queenie, weaving in the hotel's eternal damnation theme without overshadowing the primary Murder House and ties. Through these crossovers, resolves key unresolved threads, such as Michael's ultimate fate as the prophesied destroyer from Murder House—confronted and potentially neutralized by the witches—and the ongoing question of witch supremacy from , tested anew amid global catastrophe to affirm their role in averting extinction. This narrative closure solidifies the series' expanding mythology while addressing fan speculation on how disparate seasons might converge.

Cast and characters

Main cast

Sarah Paulson stars in dual leading roles as Goode, the reigning Supreme of the of witches and central leader in their fight against the apocalypse, and as Wilhemina Venable, the authoritarian administrator of Outpost 3 who enforces strict survival protocols in the post-nuclear world. makes his series debut as Michael Langdon, the adult conceived in the events of the first season, Murder House, whose backstory involves demonic origins and a path to world destruction. Evan Peters portrays the flamboyant Mr. Gallant, a hairdresser residing in Outpost 3, and Jeff Pfister, his grandfather and a wealthy doomsday prepper who funded the outpost's construction. Adina Porter plays Stevens, a renowned voodoo priestess and former celebrity who forms an alliance with the witches to combat threats. Billie Lourd embodies Mallory, a seemingly ordinary woman revealed as one of the most powerful witches with the rare ability to manipulate time. Leslie Grossman plays Coco St. Pierre Vanderbilt, a wealthy and survivor in Outpost 3 who becomes entangled in the unfolding supernatural events. Emma Roberts reprises her role as Madison Montgomery, the sharp-tongued and powerful witch from Coven who aids the coven with her telekinetic abilities. Cheyenne Jackson depicts Brock, a fitness-obsessed real estate agent turned vengeful antagonist seeking entry into the protected outpost after the apocalypse. Kathy Bates portrays Miriam Mead, a loyal and mechanically enhanced enforcer serving Michael Langdon's agenda with ruthless efficiency.

Special guest stars

Jessica Lange reprised her role as Constance Langdon, the manipulative grandmother of the season's central antagonist Michael Langdon, in a pivotal that added emotional depth to the narrative. Billed as a special guest star, Lange's return highlighted her enduring star power within the franchise, following her absence from seasons through 7 after portraying characters in the installments. Her performance provided maternal insight into Michael's villainous origins, bridging emotional ties from the series' inaugural season while enhancing the season's crossover dynamics with brief interactions among key cast members. This limited but impactful role earned Lange a 2019 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Series.

Recurring cast

Several actors reprised their roles from prior seasons of American Horror Story in supporting capacities throughout Apocalypse, enhancing the season's crossover elements with characters who aid the central narrative against apocalyptic threats. From Coven, Taissa Farmiga returned as Zoe Benson, the young witch with telekinetic powers who rejoins the coven at Miss Robichaux's Academy to assist in training new witches and battling the Antichrist Michael Langdon. Gabourey Sidibe reprised Queenie, the voodoo practitioner trapped in purgatory at the Hotel Cortez following her death in Hotel; she is rescued by Cordelia Goode and contributes her human voodoo doll abilities to the coven's efforts. Lily Rabe portrayed Misty Day, the swamp witch gifted with resurgence, who is repeatedly resurrected from hell during the season's conflicts and ultimately achieves peace after aiding in the final confrontation. Frances Conroy appeared as Myrtle Snow, the flamboyant and loyal coven member, serving as a mentor to Cordelia and the younger witches while offering strategic counsel amid the chaos. Stevie Nicks guest-starred as herself, the real-life musician and self-proclaimed "white witch" ally to the coven, performing "Gypsy" to emotionally reunite with and heal Misty Day after her latest resurrection. From Murder House, briefly reprised Vivien Harmon, the tragic matriarch of the Harmon family, appearing in time-travel sequences set in 2011 where witches attempt to alter her fate and prevent Michael's birth. returned as Ben Harmon, Vivien's husband and a psychiatrist turned ghost, sharing a poignant reunion with his wife in the same temporal intervention episode, providing closure to their haunted legacy.

Guest stars

Joan Collins portrayed Evie Gallant, a wealthy and glamorous resident of Outpost 3 whose sharp wit and self-absorbed demeanor provided amid the season's post-apocalyptic tension. As the grandmother of the hairdresser Gallant, her character added layers of dark humor through biting commentary on survival and privilege. Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman played Andre Stevens, the son of host Dinah Stevens and one of the initial survivors selected for Outpost 3 based on his genetic purity. His role highlighted family dynamics and the brutal selection process for the , appearing in early episodes before the group's decimation. Kyle Allen depicted Timothy Campbell, a young survivor in Outpost 3 selected for his genetic viability and who develops a connection with Mallory. Angela Bassett made a final-episode cameo as Marie Laveau, reprising her role as the Voodoo Queen from in a brief but impactful appearance that tied into the season's supernatural confrontations.

Production

Development

On January 12, 2017, FX announced the renewal of for its eighth and ninth seasons, extending the anthology series created by Ryan Murphy and beyond the already confirmed seventh installment. This renewal secured the production of season eight without an initial specification of episode count or thematic details. In June 2018, Ryan Murphy confirmed that the eighth season would incorporate crossover elements from the first season, Murder House, and the third season, Coven, responding to longstanding fan speculation about connecting the series' disparate narratives. This decision tied directly to early development efforts aimed at resolving the Murder House cliffhanger involving the birth of Michael Langdon, positioning him as a central antagonist. The season's premiere was scheduled for September 12, 2018, on FX, with the episode order later finalized at 10 installments, a departure from the typical 13-episode structure of prior seasons. The thematic focus shifted toward apocalyptic horror, reflecting contemporary anxieties over nuclear conflict amid geopolitical tensions during the late 2010s. This direction drew inspiration from real-world nuclear threats, such as those highlighted in U.S.- relations, while incorporating biblical mythology to explore end-times prophecies and supernatural confrontations. The subtitle was officially unveiled at International on July 20, 2018, emphasizing the season's blend of post-nuclear survival and occult elements.

Casting

In March 2018, Ryan Murphy announced that , , and would lead the cast of American Horror Story: Apocalypse, marking their returns as series staples following the previous season's events. This confirmation highlighted the season's focus on blending established repertory performers with fresh narrative elements, setting the stage for a crossover storyline. Paulson, who had been confirmed earlier as a mainstay, would portray multiple roles, while Peters and Bates took on new characters central to the post-apocalyptic setting. Subsequent announcements emphasized high-profile returns from prior seasons to capitalize on fan favorites. In July 2018, Cody Fern was cast as the adult version of Michael Langdon, the Antichrist from the first season, bringing a new face to a pivotal legacy role. Later that August, Jessica Lange was revealed to reprise her role as Constance Langdon from Murder House after a three-season absence, appearing in a guest capacity for the sixth episode directed by Paulson. The same month, the return of the Coven ensemble—including Taissa Farmiga as Zoe Benson, Gabourey Sidibe as Queenie, Lily Rabe as Misty Day, and Frances Conroy as Myrtle Snow—was confirmed, alongside Stevie Nicks portraying herself in a musical guest spot, fulfilling a long-teased Coven connection. Billie Lourd, who had appeared as a series regular in Cult, was elevated to a prominent main role as Mallory, a character with ties to the witches' storyline. The casting process involved navigating a large ensemble to balance crossover nostalgia with opportunities for new talent, resulting in one of the series' most expansive lineups. Angela Bassett's reprisal of from was limited to the season finale due to her scheduling conflicts, allowing only a brief resurrection scene amid the climactic battle against the . This approach enabled the inclusion of emerging actors like and in key supporting roles while prioritizing returns that drove the narrative's interconnected lore.

Filming

Principal photography for American Horror Story: Apocalypse occurred primarily at 20th Century Fox Studios in , . The central Outpost 3 bunker set was built on Stage 16, encompassing a multi-level interior with a , grand , , and central designed to evoke a claustrophobic, post-apocalyptic sanctuary. for these interiors relied heavily on practical sources like real candlelight and firelight to achieve a dim, flickering ambiance, supplemented by artificial "light candles" and "meta candles" for consistency across shots. Exterior wasteland sequences were filmed on location at the and in Acton, north of , to capture desolate, irradiated landscapes. For episode six, "Return to Murder House," production returned to the original exterior location in and recreated the interiors to match those from season one, directed by , with a film-emulating and subdued palette to honor the 2011 storyline. Challenges in filming included maintaining visual continuity with prior seasons during crossover flashbacks, such as those to and , through stylized camera movements and lighting that nodded to the originals. The bunker’s low-light conditions demanded precise to avoid unnatural shadows while preserving the eerie, survivalist tone. Practical effects enhanced the horror, featuring prosthetic applications for transformations and sugar-based stage blood for gore sequences. Time-displacement narratives required period-appropriate attire, particularly for 2011 Murder House sequences, blending contemporary suburban styles with the season's apocalyptic motifs. ' guest appearance, reprising her role as the , was filmed on set in August 2018, where she performed acoustically and contributed personal wardrobe pieces, including a jacket, to her character's bohemian look.

Episodes

List of episodes

The eighth season of American Horror Story, subtitled Apocalypse, comprises 10 episodes that originally aired weekly on FX from September 12, 2018, to November 14, 2018. The episodes were directed by a team of recurring collaborators on the series, including (episodes 1, 8, and 10) and (episodes 2 and 7). Writing credits were shared among series co-creators Ryan Murphy and for the premiere and finale, with contributions from staff writers such as James Wong, , , , Crystal Liu, Adam Penn, and Asha Michelle Wilson, often in collaboration with story editors Joshua Green and Asha Michelle Wilson.
No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1The EndRyan Murphy & ; story by Joshua GreenSeptember 12, 2018
2The Morning AfterJames Wong; story by Joshua Green & Asha Michelle WilsonSeptember 19, 2018
3; story by Joshua Green & Asha Michelle WilsonSeptember 26, 2018
4Could It Be... ?Sheree Folkson; story by Joshua Green & Asha Michelle WilsonOctober 3, 2018
5Boy Wonder; story by Joshua Green & Asha Michelle WilsonOctober 10, 2018
6Return to Murder HouseCrystal Liu; story by Joshua Green & Asha Michelle WilsonOctober 17, 2018
7TraitorAdam Penn; story by Joshua Green & Asha Michelle WilsonOctober 24, 2018
8SojournJoshua GreenOctober 31, 2018
9Fire and ReignJennifer ArnoldAsha Michelle Wilson & Joshua GreenNovember 7, 2018
10Ryan Murphy & ; story by Joshua GreenNovember 14, 2018
The season includes a guest musical performance by Stevie Nicks, who reprises her role from season 3 in episode 5, singing "Gypsy" to resurrect a character.

Release

Broadcast

American Horror Story: Apocalypse premiered in the United States on FX on September 12, 2018, airing weekly on Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The season consisted of 10 episodes and concluded on November 14, 2018, with the finale titled "Apocalypse Then." Internationally, the season aired on networks, debuting in the on September 27, 2018, at 10:00 p.m. on Fox UK. In , it premiered simultaneously with the U.S. broadcast on starting September 12, 2018. Promotion for the season included teaser trailers released in summer 2018 that highlighted its crossover elements from previous installments Murder House and , building anticipation ahead of the premiere. Additional marketing efforts featured live events, such as a Live promotional session titled "REVEL8TION" on September 8, 2018, and a panel at the TCA Summer Press Tour.

Home media

The home media release of American Horror Story: Apocalypse was distributed by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment in multiple formats following its initial broadcast on . The complete eighth season was released on DVD and Blu-ray in a 3-disc set containing all 10 episodes. (Region 1), the physical release occurred on September 24, 2019. The European (Region 2) edition followed on August 26, 2019, while the Australian (Region 4) version debuted earlier on August 7, 2019. The set features English and Spanish audio tracks in 5.1 , along with bonus materials including behind-the-scenes featurettes and deleted scenes. Digitally, the season became available for purchase and download on and Amazon Video starting in September 2019, coinciding with its addition to streaming services like , , and Prime Video. By March 2020, was fully integrated into 's exclusive catalog of seasons as part of FX's shift away from other platforms.

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release, American Horror Story: Apocalypse received generally positive reviews from critics, who appreciated its ambitious crossover elements and return to the series' campy horror roots, though some noted inconsistencies in execution. On , the season holds a 79% approval rating based on 193 reviews, with an average score of 6.95/10, reflecting praise for its payoff on long-teased narrative connections from prior installments like Murder House and . assigns it a score of 63 out of 100 from six reviews, indicating generally favorable reception but highlighting it as an improvement over the more divisive fifth season, . Critics frequently lauded the season's nostalgic reunions, particularly Jessica Lange's reprisal of Constance Langdon and the revival of Coven's witch coven, which injected fresh energy into the anthology format and delivered satisfying fan service. The Hollywood Reporter described it as "a fan-service jackpot," crediting these elements with revitalizing the show's appeal after weaker entries. Sarah Paulson's multifaceted performance—portraying the authoritarian Ms. Venable, the Supreme witch Cordelia Foxx, and the medium Billie Dean Howard—was a standout, with reviewers commending her versatility in embodying contrasting archetypes that amplified the season's thematic exploration of power and apocalypse. Variety highlighted Paulson's campy portrayal of Venable as a highlight, noting its "weird hairdos" and escapist flair amid the end-times premise. However, some critiques focused on the season's uneven pacing, particularly in the mid-season episodes, where the shift from outpost intrigue to time-traveling crossovers occasionally felt rushed and convoluted, diluting narrative coherence. pointed to this "uneven pacing and a messy story" as a drawback, despite the overall ambition. Variety echoed concerns about structural weaknesses, warning that the "shaky premise" and potential for aimless plotting could undermine the strong premiere. Despite these issues, many outlets, including Decider, positioned as the strongest season since , praising its blend of gore, satire, and emotional tenderness in confronting real-world anxieties like nuclear threats.

Ratings

The eighth season of , subtitled , premiered on September 12, 2018, to 3.08 million live + same-day viewers in the United States, representing a decline from the season 7 () premiere's 3.93 million live + same-day viewers, and marking FX's lowest-rated AHS premiere to date. Delayed viewing significantly boosted the episode's performance, with live + 3-day totals reaching 5.7 million viewers. The season averaged 2.03 million live + same-day viewers per episode across its 10-week run, a decline from prior seasons such as Coven's premiere of 5.54 million in 2013. Viewership trended downward after the strong debut, bottoming out at 1.63 million for episode 8 before rebounding slightly to 1.83 million for the finale. Despite the live declines, the season demonstrated robust delayed viewing gains typical of FX's anthology series, underscoring its sustained popularity in on-demand platforms.
EpisodeAir DateLive + Same-Day Viewers (millions)18-49 Demo Rating
1September 12, 20183.081.45
2September 19, 20182.211.07
3September 26, 20181.950.92
4October 3, 20182.021.00
5October 10, 20182.121.02
6October 17, 20182.010.93
7October 24, 20181.850.90
8October 31, 20181.630.74
9November 7, 20181.650.75
10November 14, 20181.830.81
Note: Viewership figures sourced from Nielsen live + same-day measurements via Showbuzz Daily.

Awards and nominations

American Horror Story: Apocalypse received recognition from several prominent award organizations, earning a total of at least 8 nominations and 2 wins across various categories, primarily for and technical achievements. The season garnered five nominations at the in 2019, including one for and four for technical categories, though it did not secure any wins. was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Series for her portrayal of Constance Langdon. The technical nominations included Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes for a Series, Limited Series, Movie, or Special; Outstanding Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series; Outstanding Makeup for a Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic); and Outstanding for a Series, Limited Series, Movie or Special. At the 17th Gold Derby TV Awards in 2019, Jessica Lange won Best Drama Guest Actress for her role in the season. The season was nominated for Best Horror Television Series at the 45th Saturn Awards in 2019 but did not win, with the award going to The Walking Dead. American Horror Story: Apocalypse received a for Outstanding TV Movie or Limited Series at the 30th Media Awards in 2019, recognizing its portrayal of LGBTQ themes, though it lost to The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. In the technical realm, the season won Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Episodic Short Form – Music/Musical for the episode "The End" at the 66th Golden Reel Awards in 2019.
AwardCategoryRecipientResultYearSource
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama SeriesJessica LangeNominated2019emmys.com
Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes for a Series, Limited Series, Movie, or SpecialN/ANominated2019emmys.com
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Single-Camera SeriesN/ANominated2019emmys.com
Outstanding Makeup for a Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic)N/ANominated2019emmys.com
Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Limited Series, Movie or SpecialN/ANominated2019emmys.com
Gold Derby TV AwardsBest Drama Guest ActressJessica LangeWon2019goldderby.com
Best Horror Television SeriesN/ANominated2019deadline.com
Media AwardsOutstanding TV Movie or Limited SeriesN/ANominated2019hollywoodreporter.com
Golden Reel AwardsOutstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Episodic Short Form – Music/Musical ("The End")David KlotzWon2019mixonline.com

References

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