For some reason, being completely unimpressed by all the vague trailers leading up to Season 9 of AHS, subtitled 1984, I felt like the actual season would end up being great and the brilliant premiere has validated my feelings so far. Getting off to a smashing start, Episode 1 called "Camp Redwood" pays excellent homage to such iconic slasher films as Friday the 13th, Halloween, and I Know What You Did Last Summer, but combining them into a new formula that feels like an original presentation.
The setup, pacing, writing, acting, atmosphere, and music was all virtual perfection, anchored by the strong central performance of long-running cast member Emma Roberts as our main character (and potential Final Girl) Brooke. Also, more recent regulars Billie Lourd (as Montana), Cody Fern (as Xavier), and Leslie Grossman (as Margaret) bring it completely with entertaining characterizations. Additionally, new cast members Matthew Morrison (from Glee), Angelica Ross, Gus Kenworthy, and DeRon Horton acquit themselves well in the premiere.
Unlike most homages, 1984 (so far) does not feel like a parody or cheap ripoff of the classics it's mimicking, but rather an original story with hat tips to those long ago flicks. Fantastic premiere that jumpstarts what looks like a wild ride of a season.
The setup, pacing, writing, acting, atmosphere, and music was all virtual perfection, anchored by the strong central performance of long-running cast member Emma Roberts as our main character (and potential Final Girl) Brooke. Also, more recent regulars Billie Lourd (as Montana), Cody Fern (as Xavier), and Leslie Grossman (as Margaret) bring it completely with entertaining characterizations. Additionally, new cast members Matthew Morrison (from Glee), Angelica Ross, Gus Kenworthy, and DeRon Horton acquit themselves well in the premiere.
Unlike most homages, 1984 (so far) does not feel like a parody or cheap ripoff of the classics it's mimicking, but rather an original story with hat tips to those long ago flicks. Fantastic premiere that jumpstarts what looks like a wild ride of a season.