Well the pilot wasn't a fluke! The show is well and truly mental but hey it's 2011 and we have survived Lost, x-files and 24 so why not push TV that little but further and bring full on horror fest to the small screen. The show is easily on par with the fist seasons of Masters of Horror and equally as nasty. This episode was no exception and from scene to scene I was exclaiming WTF and OMG as they ramped up the violence and tension level. I am still not sure where or how the show can go on but I will be glued to my screen in anticipation of the macabre writers next twist. So much on offer it is literally a veritable feast of flesh!
14 Reviews
Jesus Can't Save You
claudio_carvalho31 December 2011
Ben has a new patient, Bianca, who tells a dreadful nightmare where she is cut in half by an elevator. Bianca is curious about the house and the murders that had happened there. Ben receives a phone call from his former affair that tells that she is pregnant. Ben is forced to travel to Boston and he lies to Vivien about the objective of his trip.
Meanwhile Bianca and two friends break in the house to recreate a murder that happened in 1968, threatening Vivien and Violet.
"Home Invasion" is the second episode of "American Horror Story" with a decent ghost story and nothing else. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil) : "Home Invasion"
Note: On 11 April 2017 I saw this episode again.
Meanwhile Bianca and two friends break in the house to recreate a murder that happened in 1968, threatening Vivien and Violet.
"Home Invasion" is the second episode of "American Horror Story" with a decent ghost story and nothing else. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil) : "Home Invasion"
Note: On 11 April 2017 I saw this episode again.
You get the shovel, I'll get the bleach.
cawylie13 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
For those of you who don't remember 1968, here's what happened: the moon was in the 7th house and Jupiter aligned with Mars; Richard Nixon, a republican from California, declared his presidential candidacy; Martin Luther King Jr. spent a day at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis and would die there; Andy Warhol is shot by a struggling actress/writer; and a green Shelby Cobra pulled up in front of a familiar Los Angeles house.
"Home Invasion" begins by showing our house as it was back then - a sorority-type house to female students enrolled in nursing school. Three students head out to see The Doors in concert, two students stay home to study. A stranger comes knocking.
These scenes are very well done, as we are treated to old TV shows and old movie music. They go perfectly with the building tension of what's to come.
In present day, we and the new owners of the house, the Harmons, are forced to again deal with the current invaders, Adelaide and Tate. Both intruders appear tame on the surface, although exuding violent tendencies, yet don't show any direct harm to the family itself. Plus, there's a hint of the basement lurker.
Then we see Constance. Jessica Lange. Enough said.
Ben takes on a new patient: Bianca Forest, a struggling actress, who dreams/fears appear odd at first (like Tate's dreams in the first episode) but are later brought to fruition. We also catch a glimpse of Bianca's reason for being in the house. She appears to have more of an interest in it than a couch trip.
Ben avoids his ringing cell phone. We learn who Ben had the fling with a year ago. Enter Hayden, a needy clingy psych student. We also learn the reason for her attachment - she's pregnant. (PAUSE: Hayden is pregnant with Ben's child, yet they have not had contact in over a year - or have they? He lied to his Vivien to return to Boston to support Hayden's decision to have an abortion. Has he lied over the past year to continue to see Hayden?)
During Ben's excursion, Vivian hears the doorbell in the middle of the night. She tells the dog to stay on the bed, which the ankle-biter doesn't seem affected by a late-night visitor. (My dog goes bonkers at a doorbell.) 40 years after the opening scene, another stranger needs help. Three intruders intend on recreating the murders we saw at show's opening, because "'Franklin' was the first. Before Manson. He changed the culture." Some of their words are muffled and not because they begin with masks on.
The house takes care of the intruders, via Addy's playmate downstairs. Three of our favorite cast members clean up the mess. The police have lost track of two intruders - one was found cut in half - but are confident in finding them. Vivian and Violet bond over all they've recently been through; Violet and her missing father, not so much. Vivian ends the episode with the threat of the family moving (again).
Writing/Directing/Editing: 8 (timeframe of pregnancy, choppy editing). Acting: 8 (the invaders muffle some words). Music: 9 (the Psycho nod was awesome).
"Home Invasion" begins by showing our house as it was back then - a sorority-type house to female students enrolled in nursing school. Three students head out to see The Doors in concert, two students stay home to study. A stranger comes knocking.
These scenes are very well done, as we are treated to old TV shows and old movie music. They go perfectly with the building tension of what's to come.
In present day, we and the new owners of the house, the Harmons, are forced to again deal with the current invaders, Adelaide and Tate. Both intruders appear tame on the surface, although exuding violent tendencies, yet don't show any direct harm to the family itself. Plus, there's a hint of the basement lurker.
Then we see Constance. Jessica Lange. Enough said.
Ben takes on a new patient: Bianca Forest, a struggling actress, who dreams/fears appear odd at first (like Tate's dreams in the first episode) but are later brought to fruition. We also catch a glimpse of Bianca's reason for being in the house. She appears to have more of an interest in it than a couch trip.
Ben avoids his ringing cell phone. We learn who Ben had the fling with a year ago. Enter Hayden, a needy clingy psych student. We also learn the reason for her attachment - she's pregnant. (PAUSE: Hayden is pregnant with Ben's child, yet they have not had contact in over a year - or have they? He lied to his Vivien to return to Boston to support Hayden's decision to have an abortion. Has he lied over the past year to continue to see Hayden?)
During Ben's excursion, Vivian hears the doorbell in the middle of the night. She tells the dog to stay on the bed, which the ankle-biter doesn't seem affected by a late-night visitor. (My dog goes bonkers at a doorbell.) 40 years after the opening scene, another stranger needs help. Three intruders intend on recreating the murders we saw at show's opening, because "'Franklin' was the first. Before Manson. He changed the culture." Some of their words are muffled and not because they begin with masks on.
The house takes care of the intruders, via Addy's playmate downstairs. Three of our favorite cast members clean up the mess. The police have lost track of two intruders - one was found cut in half - but are confident in finding them. Vivian and Violet bond over all they've recently been through; Violet and her missing father, not so much. Vivian ends the episode with the threat of the family moving (again).
Writing/Directing/Editing: 8 (timeframe of pregnancy, choppy editing). Acting: 8 (the invaders muffle some words). Music: 9 (the Psycho nod was awesome).
Home invasion is a fantastic episode
jackDee-5656530 December 2020
It was a great episode, the home invaders plot was good, Evan peters performance as Tate Langdon is incrediable , it had some killer horror moments in it, I liked it kinda brought violet and vivven closer alittle, its fun , the only weak bit is the family choosing to seal the house so early into the season but its small nitpic
Keep It Up!
greg-snow18 October 2011
The pilot was awesome and I too got caught up in the "what will they do next" query. The show just keeps the creep outs coming, with a less than subtle wink-wink with it's dark humor. I LOVE Jessica Lange and this has got to be so much fun for her to play, and it is quickly becoming my favorite role of hers. NO ONE can play this character like her. She pulls off tragedy, mental imbalance and humor, without uttering a line. But when she speaks...wow! The lines are great and the writers make her just "camp" enough to stay enjoyable, just don't eat her cupcakes! The second episode packed a lot in and creeped me out and made me go, "HUH?" and wait..."Is he real?" a few times. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy this entire cast and will gladly tune in week after week to get to know this house and it's stories, more Contance and Addie and maybe less Violet...if you like dark humor, mystery and a little gore with your drama, watch this show!
Rosemary's Baby
asudegole30 April 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I've just started to watch American Horror Story because it's too popular when it started and I decided to wait for watching and I like it. Especially in this episode I couldn't stop thinking of 'Rosemary's Baby' while I was watching.But when I looked to reviews,no one write something about it. I know that American Horror Story is like an anthology of classic horror and thriller movies,so I remember Rosemary. The weird neighbor Constance brings some herbs for previous souls in pilot episode and then cupcakes with excessive amount of ipecac for stimulate vomiting;as the Rosemary's neighbors in her new apartment bring some herbs too. Another thing is that in one scene Ben Harmon is like hypnotized and another guy with the costume comes to Vivien's room and has an intercourse with Vivien,then Vivien get pregnant from him,nearly same in Rosemary's baby. I think cast is great and especially acting of Jamie Brewer is perfect.
Creepy
mm-3918 March 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Home Invasion is so creepy it unbalances my sleeping patterns. I do not watch American Horror Story before I go to bed. Home Invasion has the viewer experience how murders, and evil are a recurring event at the house of bad karma. Some people try and re-enact a murder and become victims themselves. The family lives a twisted live with the husband's double life. What is with the guy in black? The second episode explains how the house has a recurring evil incidents. The people who surround the house are trapped in it. What do the characters have in store for the family is not good. The mix of new characters with a recurrent story creates a creepy feeling, which is added with how demented each new character is. Thus, creating a disturbed creepy environment.
Serial Killer Enthusiast
ZegMaarJus27 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This episode begins with Janice and Gigi (1968), Franklin killed Maria. Ben found Addie at the basement, she goes back home. Dallas, Bianca and Fiona got into Harmon's house. Tate slammed Bianca with an axe. Viv knocked down Dallas. Fiona ans Dallas has been killed by Tate. Nice episode of American Horror Story Season 1, a Home Invasion marked this episode. Many crazy and freaky scenes!
Recreate some Crime scenes
AvionPrince1625 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The episode have some things to reveal: That the father is still cheating his wife, The boyfriend of the daughter and the neigbour and the housemaid are in team to put things in place against the family inside the building. We can see also that the cake prepared for the daughter have some wrong effects on one of the criminal that will get killed by the boyfriend of the daughter. We wondering if it have a problem with the baby. A nice episode that still prepare things and we wondering what will happen in the next episode. I enjoyed also the beginning when we see the murders. Find them pretty horrible. The mysteries are still there (im still wondering if the baby maybe is coming from the guy in the suit when they had sex but we know that was not the father in the suit and pretty worried about the state of the baby) i enjoyed anyway the episode and sound good for the next. The pace is pretty slow for now. And i want to know also what is inside the house, in the cave i mean. We know something is in there but dont really know what. And at the end, the mother want to sold the house. And that make the end of the episode. Still have some interesting moments but we are clearly ask ourself what will happen next and we dont have have all the answers for now. Need to see more.
great episode with an incredible background and great participation of the characters
MomentIMDB16 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The episode maintains that haunting and dark atmosphere of the first episode, and the performances are also spectacular.
The episode opens showing a murder in the murder house. the scene is incredible and terrifying, and I loved that they told of the past of the house.
I love the interactions between the characters and characterize them very well. All actors give a great performance.
A scene that gave me helplessness and pity was when Adeleide asks Constance to go to help the harmon and angry Constance locks her in a closet with mirrors and Adeleide screams to see herself and Constance walks somewhat hurt.
The episode becomes very good when someone arrives, rings the bell and says that she is hurt and living does not want to open and she and violet are caught. the tension of the whole kidnapping scene is excellent, see more participation of the ghosts I like and tate showed off. Vivien and violet also look and act intelligently.
great episode
The episode opens showing a murder in the murder house. the scene is incredible and terrifying, and I loved that they told of the past of the house.
I love the interactions between the characters and characterize them very well. All actors give a great performance.
A scene that gave me helplessness and pity was when Adeleide asks Constance to go to help the harmon and angry Constance locks her in a closet with mirrors and Adeleide screams to see herself and Constance walks somewhat hurt.
The episode becomes very good when someone arrives, rings the bell and says that she is hurt and living does not want to open and she and violet are caught. the tension of the whole kidnapping scene is excellent, see more participation of the ghosts I like and tate showed off. Vivien and violet also look and act intelligently.
great episode
S1.E2 - Home Invasion [8/10]
panagiotis19939 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
(S1. E2) My Live Reaction / Review for American Horror Story Season 1 Episode 2 ''Home Invasion''. The previous episode was good and I gave it a rating of 8/10. The episode starts with a flashback. How many things have happened in that house? Vivien looks too old to be pregnant? Or is it just me? Constance made cupcakes with poison? She is nuts. Is Ben going to see his ex girlfriend? Tate attacked this woman with an axe? What the hell is going on? Is Tate a ghost? Is Ben's ex girlfriend having an abortion? That sucks. Vivien wants to sell the house? Interesting. Overall this episode was good, my rating is 8/10.
Ho Hum
artpf31 December 2013
OK so I sort of hated the pilot but decided to give this show a chance by watching a few episodes. Here's my thought on the second episode. We some how find ourselves in 1968 with clips on the TV from 1967. And a murder that doesn't make sense.
And somehow the patient Ted has free range of the house. Why is that? Beats me. Seems that if I had a patient who was talking about sex with my daughter as well as about how he wanted to kill everyone, I'd be committing him.
And low and behold the daughter and the bully from the pilot are now best friends. Who writes this stuff? I find the story line to be really poorly done. And the direction is annoying. Jolty cuts and shaky cams.
They still have that down syndrome girl Jamie Brewer and it's great that she's high functioning but lets be honest the people who make this show are using her.
I liked the second episode a little more than the pilot. But not by much. It's not well thought out and I wonder what all the fuss is about. Will try one or two more. Stay tuned.
And somehow the patient Ted has free range of the house. Why is that? Beats me. Seems that if I had a patient who was talking about sex with my daughter as well as about how he wanted to kill everyone, I'd be committing him.
And low and behold the daughter and the bully from the pilot are now best friends. Who writes this stuff? I find the story line to be really poorly done. And the direction is annoying. Jolty cuts and shaky cams.
They still have that down syndrome girl Jamie Brewer and it's great that she's high functioning but lets be honest the people who make this show are using her.
I liked the second episode a little more than the pilot. But not by much. It's not well thought out and I wonder what all the fuss is about. Will try one or two more. Stay tuned.
Only decent episodic story and creativity, promising Tate and Violet, shocking Constance and Abby, intriguing enough
igoatabase15 October 2011
The pilot had such an odd impact on me that I highly awaited the show's return and wrote one of my strangest reviews. With productions like Masters of Horror we know what to expect as all episodes are standalone but with American Horror Story I was wondering what would be its format. Home Invasion revealed that its main story has potential because all the Harmon family members have what it takes considering what they have been through but I'm more skeptical about the weekly dose of horror or crime. My first complain was that the subplot wasn't frightening or disturbing enough. In fact it was even predictable at times. However it was shaken by the enigmatic Tate Langdon. Evan Peters role is surprising because so far I only knew him as the nice boy from Invasion. The therapy session was almost shocking, specially if you try to take Ben's place. His controversial relationship with his daughter Violet made things even more interesting because you don't know what he's capable of. As for Taissa Farmiga her role was reminiscent of feminism because it takes a lot of courage to survive, specially when your house is haunted or taken over by psychokillers.
Beside Tate and Violet I also really enjoyed Constance and Abby's side. The gorgeous aging mother and the trisomic daughter. A modern and twisted version of The Beauty of the Beast ? Probably but Jessica Lange definitely makes a charming monster and Jamie Brewer's performance was also quite convincing. Indeed until the vertiginous room of broken mirrors sequence the episode had been less surprising than the pilot. It just lacked the amount of creativity that made it so excellent. I also missed Moira, at least my libido did, and found Ben's arc far too anecdotic even if his absence served the main story in the end. However the show has plenty of intriguing plot lines to build up a crowd of hungry horror fans. From properly dealing with what happened to the girl who got her face hurt last time and of course the pregnancy I have definitely signed up for the upcoming episode. Otherwise I think the series desperately needs a goal the audience can rely on or else it will lose interest. Ending the episode with a cliffhanger was a first step in the right direction so considering its numerous qualities I can't see how it could miserably fail to satisfy our vicious appetite.
Beside Tate and Violet I also really enjoyed Constance and Abby's side. The gorgeous aging mother and the trisomic daughter. A modern and twisted version of The Beauty of the Beast ? Probably but Jessica Lange definitely makes a charming monster and Jamie Brewer's performance was also quite convincing. Indeed until the vertiginous room of broken mirrors sequence the episode had been less surprising than the pilot. It just lacked the amount of creativity that made it so excellent. I also missed Moira, at least my libido did, and found Ben's arc far too anecdotic even if his absence served the main story in the end. However the show has plenty of intriguing plot lines to build up a crowd of hungry horror fans. From properly dealing with what happened to the girl who got her face hurt last time and of course the pregnancy I have definitely signed up for the upcoming episode. Otherwise I think the series desperately needs a goal the audience can rely on or else it will lose interest. Ending the episode with a cliffhanger was a first step in the right direction so considering its numerous qualities I can't see how it could miserably fail to satisfy our vicious appetite.
Waiting for it to get better...
FallonTimberlake20165 October 2017
So far, American Horror Story is proving to be a retread of tropes we have seen in many horror films and TV shows preceding it. There are some intriguing and unique elements included, but those elements are mostly pushed off to the background to make way for the clichés.
Jessica Lange is consistently the strongest part of this show. She manages to be unsettling but funny at the same time, and we have no idea of what her true motives are.
Her plot line, Evan Peters' plot line, and Denis O'Hare's plot line are all intriguing, but not much time is spent on them. Instead we get boring crap about the husband and wife relationship, and how the husband is going to Boston to support his mistress' pregnancy. This is all stuff straight out of a crappy soap opera, and given I'm watching a show titled American Horror Story, it comes off as just plain boring. The plot element about the maid and how the husband sees her as this sexy young woman, is one of the dumbest plot lines I have seen in a TV show.
Unfortunately, as with the first episode, we can count on the writing being absolutely abysmal. Poor Kate Mara is reduced to garbage in this episode, which is sad given what she continued on to do.
I'm still waiting for this show to increase in quality, but that doesn't appear to be happening anytime soon which is a shame. Everybody is raving about this show, and for the life of me I can't see why.
Jessica Lange is consistently the strongest part of this show. She manages to be unsettling but funny at the same time, and we have no idea of what her true motives are.
Her plot line, Evan Peters' plot line, and Denis O'Hare's plot line are all intriguing, but not much time is spent on them. Instead we get boring crap about the husband and wife relationship, and how the husband is going to Boston to support his mistress' pregnancy. This is all stuff straight out of a crappy soap opera, and given I'm watching a show titled American Horror Story, it comes off as just plain boring. The plot element about the maid and how the husband sees her as this sexy young woman, is one of the dumbest plot lines I have seen in a TV show.
Unfortunately, as with the first episode, we can count on the writing being absolutely abysmal. Poor Kate Mara is reduced to garbage in this episode, which is sad given what she continued on to do.
I'm still waiting for this show to increase in quality, but that doesn't appear to be happening anytime soon which is a shame. Everybody is raving about this show, and for the life of me I can't see why.
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