American Horror Story: 1984 Review: Camp Redwood (Season 9 Episode 1)

A group of friends finds themselves in a messier situation than before after escaping the city of Los Angeles for the summer to volunteer at a summer camp from hell on American Horror Story: 1984 Season 9 Episode 1, “Camp Redwood”

As someone who is a die-hard Sarah Paulson fan, it’s hard going into this season without judgment based on her absence, but after the first episode, it’s apparent that this may be one of the seasons that end up being my favorite. The suspense, nostalgia, and gore is sure to make this season of AHS one that keeps viewers coming back each week to see who gets the ax next.

I wasn’t particularly hyped for this season based on the absence of Paulson, but Billie Lourd and Emma Roberts are breathing life back into me and are the sole reason why I’m already falling for this season.

For the American Horror Story fanbase we’re used to each season having some sort of supernatural twist or touch to it, besides Cult, of course, but American Horror Story: 1984 proves that the need for supernatural twist and turns isn’t needed to keep you on the edge of your seat. The suspense and gore of this season are all that’s needed to keep your attention at full alert.

Based off of Episode 1, “Camp Redwood,” it looks like this will end up being one of the bloodiest seasons we’ve seen yet with two serial killers out on the loose, making it their mission to terrorize the people who got away.

American Horror Story: 1984 is not something that hasn’t been seen before, many times, but the way it’s set up and dives into each character, along with moving the plot along pretty quickly, is remarkable for a first episode to the season.

Emma Roberts’ character, Brooke, is one that I’m putting money on who will stay alive up until the ending. Gus’s character, Chet, brings the sex appeal to the group as an ex-Olympian who got banned for drugs and is the typical jock, party type, which is why I foresee him making it through maybe half the season.

Madison Montgomery will always be one of the most iconic roles Roberts will ever play, but it’s nice to see a different side to her. Instead of being the head bitch in charge who cares about nobody but herself, Brooke is naturally soft-spoken, doesn’t like to put herself out there, and is genuinely afraid of what’s happening.

Brooke also seems to be one of the only ones who uses her head before doing something. She’s the only one who can see that there’s something wrong going on at the camp and wants answers, but nobody is listening to her even after being attacked.

One thing certain; it’s going to be a bloody fun time once the children arrive at the camp.

Chet is the typical male obsessed with how his body looks and not much else other than sex, along with Matthew Morrison’s character, Trevor, which makes sense that in the next few episodes it’s likely they get what’s coming. They both fill the air-head jock category and normally in slasher films they don’t have the best of luck surviving very long.

Montana, Billie Lourd, is the life of the party and wants nothing more than to have fun and enjoy herself while pursuing to be one of the best aerobics competitors there is but her need for fun and joy is something I feel will come in-between her and her staying alive.

Margaret and her haunted past is something that I’m ecstatic to dive into as the season develops because right now she’s super strict, has many secrets, and tries to enforce her holiness on the rest of the group.

The first episode of this season hits it out of the park, setting up everything perfectly for the gruesome strike of the killer next episode.

What did you think of this episode of American Horror Story: 1984? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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American Horror Story: 1984 airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on FX.

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