The Haunted House Chronicles: A Deep Dive into American Horror Story’s Murder House
The chilling saga of “Murder House,” the inaugural season of American Horror Story, begins with a fractured family seeking a fresh start. After uncovering her psychiatrist husband Ben’s infidelity with a student, Vivien Harmon seeks solace and a new beginning by purchasing a foreclosed mansion with a dark past, alongside her daughter Violet. Little do they know, this house possesses a sinister energy, trapping the souls of the deceased within its walls for eternity.
A History of Horror
This isn’t just any old house; it’s a repository of pain, suffering, and unspeakable acts. Let’s delve into some of the house’s most gruesome chapters:
- 1922: Dr. Charles Montgomery, a surgeon, built the house for his wife, Nora. To amass wealth, Charles performed illegal abortions, leading to a gruesome act of revenge by a scorned lover. Charles, driven mad by grief, used his surgical skills in a desperate attempt to revive his son, creating a monstrous abomination that still lurks in the basement. Nora, forever trapped, remains as youthful as she was in 1922, but with a horrifying head wound as a constant reminder of her tragic fate.
- 1968: Nurses Maria and Gladys become the next victims. A man feigning distress gains entry, drowning Gladys in the bathtub and brutally stabbing Maria. Later, a copycat killer, Bianca, targets the house, feigning a need for medical consultation to scout the location. She overpowers Vivien and Violet, but is ultimately killed by Tate.
- 1983: Constance Langdon discovers her husband attempting to assault their maid, Moira. In a fit of rage, she shoots them both, burying Moira’s body in the backyard. Moira, forever bound to the property, appears as an older woman to Vivien, but transforms into her youthful self in the presence of Ben.
- 1994: To prevent her deformed son, Beauregard, from being institutionalized, Constance orchestrates his murder by her lover, Larry, who suffocates him with a pillow. Tate, unable to cope, turns to drugs. He later confronts Larry at the school library, dousing him in gasoline and setting him ablaze, before embarking on a deadly shooting spree. Constance also has a kind, but mentally challenged daughter named Adelaide, who tragically dies after being hit by a car.
The Modern Era of Mayhem
- 2010: Chad and Patrick, a gay couple, move into the house. An argument over Halloween decorations leads to their demise at the hands of Tate, who, disguised as the Rubber Man, drags them to the basement and murders them.
Ben hires a cleaning lady to investigate the source of a fly infestation, but she is quickly silenced by Tate after uncovering some disturbing clues. Tate then takes Violet to the attic, where she discovers her own decaying corpse, revealing that she had died from a drug overdose.
A Cycle of Death and Rebirth
As Ben prepares to leave the house, he is confronted by the ghost of his mistress, Hayden, who commits suicide in the living room. Vivien goes into labor while leaving the house, only to be brought back by Constance. After being impregnated by both Ben and Tate, Vivien gives birth to twins before succumbing to her fate. Nora takes Ben’s child after its birth and death, while Constance raises Tate’s child, a potential harbinger of evil.
The house stands ready to welcome its next unsuspecting occupants, continuing its legacy of horror.
This season of American Horror Story weaves a complex narrative with interwoven timelines, creating a initially confusing, but ultimately rewarding viewing experience. The show masterfully unveils the ghostly identities of its characters, leading to a shocking and unforgettable conclusion.