The concept was fun and there were good moments. However, it felt really rushed and putting a whole story into 40 minutes wasn't the best option. And don't start about the ending... it felt like a Riverdale scene and it just felt like lazy writing. Imagine having some freaky time while listening to Kim Petras after all your friends were killed off and after you've blown up a random dude. Wait... that actually happened. Painful.
83 Reviews
Cool concept
brooke-chipman22 July 2021
This should've been the premiere episode!
spiritgrave22 July 2021
This one was a lot of fun! Had a blast watching this with some friends. The tension built up in the drive-in scene was some of the best I've seen in the entire franchise! I really don't understand how this wasn't the first episode they aired, it's plenty stronger than the first two episodes. Looking forward to more of these original stories.
Know's their Horror History.
mistamojo_ca22 July 2021
Feels like a nod to John Carpenter's "Cigarette Burns." Nice addition of Adrienne Barbeau (The Thing, The Fog, his wife... lol) as well. Hats off AHS for knowing their horror history.
I felt the beginning and end were good. Probably too much exposition in Act III. A shame to waste the talent John Carroll Lynch like that. Loved the scene in the editing room. The principal actors could have done a better job delivering their lines imo.
So far lots of nostalgia in these first three episodes. I'm liking this series a lot for that reason.
I felt the beginning and end were good. Probably too much exposition in Act III. A shame to waste the talent John Carroll Lynch like that. Loved the scene in the editing room. The principal actors could have done a better job delivering their lines imo.
So far lots of nostalgia in these first three episodes. I'm liking this series a lot for that reason.
What happened?
lolly678 August 2021
It's Ok
sydandtysmom29 July 2021
Why are Ryan and Brad doing this
tommymoses-8211022 July 2021
That's SO much better
tymoody22 July 2021
We were off to a rocky start with the first two episodes of this new anthology series, but this episode shows that there is still hope. This episode brought something new to the table and wasn't recycled plot lines from the original series. The acting was also much better, even though the writing could be rocky at some times. This episode surprising felt more like American Horror Story than the first two episodes that took place at the murder house. The idea for this episode was great and executed amazingly. I can't wait to see what the NEW stories have in store for us. It just goes to show that getting away from all the "nostalgia" can be a very good thing in terms of quality content.
Dope
azarrayyan-2979923 July 2021
Just ok
sbob32222 July 2021
I liked the premise they set up I was expecting something along the lines of The Crazies which is what they sort of delivered. Hate how quickly they moved on from that into the boring ending. Saw the end coming which could have been shorted to a minute or two instead of the final act. Overall just an ok episode at least it is one episode unlike the first one being a two parter.
Ripped
PizzaQueen071224 July 2021
High camp a la Grindhouse
txspartandc31 July 2021
Don't Count This Show Out Yet!
sammyv_622 July 2021
While episodes 1 and 2 were a little rocky, episodes 3 plays out like a tribute to Creepshow and Cronenberg's Rabid. The pacing was pretty spot-on, though I wish that this had been extended into a two-part episode.,so we could really explore the plot a bit more.
Such bad writing
XzingLawliet24 July 2021
Not as bad as people are saying
alexc-7329723 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
As far as reviews go, I am pretty fair and as a person who thinks AHS has gone down in quality over the last couple of seasons, I honestly didn't think this episode was that bad at all. The only things that stopped it from being an 8 or above were the quick pace and unrealistic nature of the episode (not that AHS is usually realistic but more bizarre than usual). The use of zombies felt like a bit of a cop out in that it felt like zombies were purely used to speed up the plot. It would have been better if the subliminals of the film acted more psychologically rather than biologically and convert people into zombies as this would have allowed Ryan Murphey to enhance the story and make the episode more suspenseful and scary. Instead, the story lacked in-depth character development that felt jagged and quick. Thus, with a little extra run-time and small changes, this episode could have worked on a lot more levels and really played on relationships between characters, better character development, and provide better gore and horror to install real, psychological fear into viewers regarding the nature of horror films. This episode had the potential to be more meta, but the zombie aspect kind of removed any chance of the episode being scary.
On the other hand, the writing was not half as bad as people are saying and the general premise of the episode was really good. It was definitely better than the first two episodes and should have been the series opener. Although it may sound like I dislike the episode above, that is not the case, as the pace of the story was good, just too fast for any real character development to be explored, but the pace of the action was brilliant. It felt like I had been watching for an hour despite it only being 25 minutes in as a lot happened. This episode merely suffered from a weird choice of writing style and the writing of characters. However, as an AHS episode, it was certainly up there and had a fun and different concept from any that we have seen so far in the 9 series so far. Plus, I actually felt invested with the main characters and the story, and the cliffhanger at the end was good.
Overall, a very enjoyable single episode with a lot to offer, it just missed a few tricks in terms of small plot choices and rushing the episode meaning that there was a lot that could have been explored but was sadly overlooked. It had the potential to be a 9/10, but AHS played to play it safe. However, it was still a great episode with some great gore and kills and good acting.
On the other hand, the writing was not half as bad as people are saying and the general premise of the episode was really good. It was definitely better than the first two episodes and should have been the series opener. Although it may sound like I dislike the episode above, that is not the case, as the pace of the story was good, just too fast for any real character development to be explored, but the pace of the action was brilliant. It felt like I had been watching for an hour despite it only being 25 minutes in as a lot happened. This episode merely suffered from a weird choice of writing style and the writing of characters. However, as an AHS episode, it was certainly up there and had a fun and different concept from any that we have seen so far in the 9 series so far. Plus, I actually felt invested with the main characters and the story, and the cliffhanger at the end was good.
Overall, a very enjoyable single episode with a lot to offer, it just missed a few tricks in terms of small plot choices and rushing the episode meaning that there was a lot that could have been explored but was sadly overlooked. It had the potential to be a 9/10, but AHS played to play it safe. However, it was still a great episode with some great gore and kills and good acting.
Could not have been worse
twilienlv22 July 2021
Interesting plot, too much focus on character development
ozzieandme29 July 2021
I think this episode would've been more successful if it spent more time on the concept of "a cursed film" instead of trying to building up this relationship we don't care about. I personally did enjoy this episode compared to the first 2 episodes that shared a relation to Murder House. It was refreshing to see a new horror episode that didn't connect to the other AHS plots. Great idea!
That was something...
normanlegies22 July 2021
I really disliked this episode, it was for some parts really badly acted, and the plot was far too foreseeable.
Despite some issues with ep1 and 2 - they are still decent, but episode 3 was by far the worst I've seen in terms of AHS in total.
Despite some issues with ep1 and 2 - they are still decent, but episode 3 was by far the worst I've seen in terms of AHS in total.
Improvement
Squib3124 July 2021
Great Concept!
jlenzo-2054627 July 2021
Really enjoyed the concept for this episode. So many people crave for something new and when it comes.... People are quick to pull the negative trigger. This was a fast paced, tense episode that was different than anything AHS has ever done. Was it the greatest bit of horror I have ever seen? No. But still a fun ride and my time was far from wasted.
Had potential...
shop-girl2323 July 2021
The best episode in the series (so far)
hootiessaved30 July 2021
This episode is about a cursed movie that sends viewers into a homicidal frenzy. It gave me "Cigarette Burns" vibes and, therefore, it was quite a thrill.
The special effects are insane. The storyline is wicked. The ending has a horrifying twist. It is probably the most horror-oriented episode of AHS out there. It's gory, it's thrilling, and it's devastating. Most importantly, it focuses on horror in an American context. A director trying to match the genius of Spielberg, Kubrick, and others. Young teenagers ignoring red flags in order to live life on the edge.
I was on the edge of my seat, constantly muttering obscenities to myself because of the gore. I very much enjoyed this episode. I loved the concept and I loved the twists. It's a fun one.
The special effects are insane. The storyline is wicked. The ending has a horrifying twist. It is probably the most horror-oriented episode of AHS out there. It's gory, it's thrilling, and it's devastating. Most importantly, it focuses on horror in an American context. A director trying to match the genius of Spielberg, Kubrick, and others. Young teenagers ignoring red flags in order to live life on the edge.
I was on the edge of my seat, constantly muttering obscenities to myself because of the gore. I very much enjoyed this episode. I loved the concept and I loved the twists. It's a fun one.
So
Pnkprinses30927 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The story wasn't unique (rings) and it wasn't that scary but the idea that visuals and sounds could activate something in your brain is a great concept. I enjoyed the story ark of a director seeking the next edge: where the audience is the horror movie. THAT is original AF and what I'm here for.
However, as with all AHS crap, there's crappy dialogue and writing and it's not scary throughout. And there is SO. MUCH. SEX. It is so gross. It felt uncomfortable and most of the characters deserved their fate faster.
However, as with all AHS crap, there's crappy dialogue and writing and it's not scary throughout. And there is SO. MUCH. SEX. It is so gross. It felt uncomfortable and most of the characters deserved their fate faster.
Seriously?
thattravelgirl23 July 2021
If you are one of those who rated this episode an 7+, how much are you being paid? Look up other things with a similar rating, and ask yourself if you think it's even possible for this to be on the same level. I'll save you the trouble.....it's not. Save yourself. Don't watch it.
Good but also not
ronjagustafsson-450139 October 2021
Effects were great. Plot was very interesting. Main actor and actress played their part beautifully. However the main actor at the end had a script that felt very rushed on time and his reasoning didnt feel real.
I would still recommend this episode.
I would still recommend this episode.
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