Planning a scary night in this Halloween? Here are five terrifying episodes of AHS to watch this weekend!
Each AHS installment boasts larger than life Halloween specials that take over two weeks of the series. Typically, these chapters tend to be bottle episodes, focusing on flashbacks that reveal important clues about the mythology of the world. AHS subverts the idea that the Halloween episodes of the horror series must be the most terrifying of the season. This leaves the opportunity to push the shock factor in other weeks, keeping the audience on their toes.
Our list includes one episode from each season that combines the most disturbing elements of the series as well as moments that made us cringe in our seats. Grab a big bowl of candy and a pillow to hide behind before you add these episodes to your Netflix queue.
Warning: The following descriptions contain mild spoilers for some seasons of AHS.
‘AHS: Murder House’ episode 6 –‘Piggy, Piggy’
Warning: If the mirror in your bathroom reflects the shower curtain you may want to reconsider watching this episode. Ben uses the Murder House to continue his sessions and this week his patient, Derek (guest star Eric Stonestreet), is plagued by fear of urban legends. The “Piggy Man” is said to arrive when you chant the phrase, “Here piggy, piggy” in the mirror three times. The anticipation of watching Derek try to face his fear is enough to make you never want to attempt doing it yourself.
While “Piggy, Piggy” tells a captivating and slightly terrifying B story, the cold open of this episode, which depicts a school shooting in all its disturbing detail, is intense enough to make you want to skim through the scene.
What to expect in the Halloween episode: If you want to watch Zachary Quinto attack a patch of pumpkins, check out episode 5, “Halloween (Part 2).”
‘AHS: Asylum’ episode 8 — ‘Unholy Night’
Asylum was all over the place when it came to depicting horror. The brutal assault of women, rape culture of aliens, canings, and psychological torture were sprinkled over the season so often that even the reveal of Bloody Face fell flat. But one gruesome patient, a killer who shot a Salvation Army Santa before donning his bloody coat and going on a rampage, is enough to raise a few goosebumps. Turning a jolly man into a ruthless killer is one thing, watching Ian McShane brings an entirely more terrifying element to the story. Catching “mommy kissing Santa Claus” does not seem so bad after all.
If homicidal Santa is not enough for you, Dr. Arden’s tale of how he took jewels from a woman in a concentration camp after she ingested them will make you want to push the candy bowl aside.
What to expect in the Halloween episode: If exorcisms and watching Bloody Face kill Adam Levine are more your style, check out episode 2, “Tricks and Treats.”
‘AHS: Coven’ episode 4 — ‘Burn, Witch, Burn’
The All Hallows Eve Ball at the LaLaurie estate is the social event of the season in 1833 New Orleans. Madame LaLaurie’s “chamber of horrors” is not filled with peeled grapes and sausages so much as eyeballs and intestines from the slaves she butchered. When her daughters behave as she wishes, LaLaurie locks them up in her torture attic until they learn their lesson. That is one wicked way to interpret the phrase, “tough love.” Not only do we get some horrifying 17th century torture, but there is a zombie body burning, Fiona’s meltdown in the hospital, Spalding’s creepy attic room, and Myrtle Snow being burned at the stake.
What to expect in the Halloween episode: Marie Laveau summons zombies to attack the Coven and the Council of Witchcraft arrive to confront Fiona about Madison’s disappearance. “Fearful Pranks Ensue” does its job to set up the episode above.
‘AHS: Freak Show’ episode 1 — ‘Monsters Among Us’
Revealing a highly anticipated killer is a moment of paramount importance for any project in the horror genre. Twisty the Clown entered the series on a warm summer’s day in a quaint little meadow in broad daylight. There was no monster hiding in the closet or jumping around a corner and the effect was far more chilling than any jump scare. John Carroll Lynch’s towering presence quickly turns the silent giant into a terrifying monster running towards the camera. Sure watching Twisty stab a man to death is awful, but watching the clown try to amuse children he kidnapped and keeps in a run down bus is even worse. His looming appearance in plain sight is enough to make you watch the episode from behind a pillow. You never know when the camera will pan across his face.
What to expect in the Halloween episode: The two-part visit from Edward Mordrake is well-suited for those who want the backstories of their favorite freaks. However, the ending of “Edward Mordrake (Part 2)” takes away that character who is arguably the best creation of this installment.
‘AHS: Hotel’ episode 4 — ‘Devil’s Night’
AHS: Hotel only has four episodes fighting to make the cut and “Devil’s Night” wins. Though it is not as brutally visual as the history of Mr. March’s killing spree, the episode grounds serial killers in the real world. What is more terrifying than reality? From Jeffery Dahmer to John Wayne Gacy, the killers assembled around Mr. March’s table share the gritty details of their killing sprees. (Except the Zodiac Killer who likes to keep his distance.) Knowing what we know about Mr. March and his chutes and ladders, the master of the trade reveals the secrets to becoming a killer no cop can touch.
What to expect in the Halloween episode: “Devil’s Night” is only part one of the Halloween madness heading to the Cortez. Expect to see Darren Criss check into the hotel next week to escape trick or treaters.
AHS: Hotel episode 5, “Room Service” airs Wednesday, November 4 at 10:00 p.m. ET on FX.