American Horror Story: Season 5

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 24 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 546 Ratings

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7.0

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7.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 546 Ratings

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American Horror Story

Now Playing: American Horror Story

Season Details & Credits

FX | Season Premiere Date: October 7, 2015

Starring: Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Sarah Paulson

Summary: The latest season of American Horror Story is set in a Los Angeles hotel owned by Elizabeth (Lady Gaga) with Kathy Bates, Matt Bomer, Sarah Paulson, Finn Wittrock, Cheyenne Jackson, Denis O’Hare, Chloe Sevigny, and Wes Bentley as some of the guests.

Creator: Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk

Genre(s): Horror

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Season 5 Episodes

tbd
S5:E12. Be Our Guest
Air Date: January 13, 2016
tbd
S5:E11. Battle Royale
Air Date: January 6, 2016
tbd
S5:E10. She Gets Revenge
Air Date: December 16, 2015

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Mark A. Perigard

Oct 7, 2015

As an actress, Lady Gaga wears clothes very well. That’s not the dis it seems. The extended 90-minute premiere doesn’t give her much chance to act, or speak, for that matter.... As Dr. Alex Lowe, John’s estranged wife, returning player Chloe Sevigny provides a welcome balance to the over-the-top bloodletting, but as good as she is, the bad soap opera dialogue just proves Murphy and Falchuk have no interest in writing “normal,” whatever that is. They’re here to deliver spectacle. Read full review

Dan Fienberg

Oct 6, 2015

Early on, Hotel hasn't hooked me with its storytelling, but it's always fun to see what the series does with its repertory acting company and with new additions. Throw in the normal grotesquerie and visual panache and that should keep me going for a while, even if all of the humor appears to have been funneled into Scream Queens. Read full review

Amber Dowling

Oct 7, 2015

It’s a visual, visceral romp into what is being set up to be another haphazard foray into the world of horror, as imagined by Murphy and his writing counterpart Brad Falchuk. The show has rarely made sense in terms of story, and this is no exception. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Oct 6, 2015

Filled with arresting imagery, much of the action takes place in a beyond-creepy L.A. hotel.... There’s almost an indifference to story--after the premiere, it’s hard to see a huge motivation to watch in order to unlock the show’s lingering mysteries. Read full review

Isaac Feldberg

Oct 7, 2015

It’s both aware of its chaos and totally unconcerned with taming it--and whether or not you have an appetite for whatever fresh hell Murphy and Falchuk have cooked up this season will largely depend on your ability to just sit down and enjoy what American Horror Story has already become: a threadbare yarn, extravagantly told. Read full review

Rob Owen

Oct 7, 2015

Unlike some seasons of “AHS,” Hotel lacks dark humor, at least in tonight’s initial outing.... Visually, the premiere episode is a stunner, from the hotel set to the use of a fish-eye lens on the camera that squeezes so much into the frame.... Heavy on atmosphere in its early going and light on plot, a storyline starts to kick in around the premiere’s halfway point. Read full review

San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times

Chuck Barney

Oct 8, 2015

Although the first episode runs for a bloated 90 minutes, it provides only scant hints of a main plot thread.... So once again, I'm confronted with an AHS season that appears to be more gross than engrossing. Alas, I may not be able to check out of the Hotel Cortez, but at least I can change the channel. Read full review

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User Score

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7.0

User Reviews

Chumpp

Oct 11, 2015

First episode of American Horror Story: Hotel appeared to be surprisingly the best episode ever. It is scary, beautiful and gorgeous with that impressice art-deco building and had arguably the best moment in AHS history: Lady Gaga and Matt Bomer introduction scene.

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

AgusTravis

Oct 7, 2015

AHS is back and better than ever. With a terrific cast (Lady Gaga - who brings to mind Catherine Deneuve in The Hunger- Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson, Angela Bassett , Evan Peters , Wes Bentley, Matt Bomer,Denis O'Hare, Cheyenne Jackson) it’s a sexier season, it’s a bloodier season. I thinkAHS is back and better than ever. With a terrific cast (Lady Gaga - who brings to mind Catherine Deneuve in The Hunger- Kathy Bates, Sarah Paulson, Angela Bassett , Evan Peters , Wes Bentley, Matt Bomer,Denis O'Hare, Cheyenne Jackson) it’s a sexier season, it’s a bloodier season. I think it’s the scariest season of all. I’m not just saying that. Honestly, there are a lot of elements that are very scary. I think because it’s present day, so that’s really cool, and the hotel. I mean, what’s scarier than a hotel? Welcome Back AHS!!!… Expand

14 of 19 users found this helpful145

Gabelopez

Oct 7, 2015

Ryan Murphy is back to his magnificent creation of a show which uses the same formula as previous seasons but is able to reinvent itself in a way that preserves the show and the recurring cast. This time we are treated to the debauchery set in Hotel Cortez. While the plot is thin, the setRyan Murphy is back to his magnificent creation of a show which uses the same formula as previous seasons but is able to reinvent itself in a way that preserves the show and the recurring cast. This time we are treated to the debauchery set in Hotel Cortez. While the plot is thin, the set up of different characters including veterans Sarah Paulson and Kathy Bates, and of course the introduction of Lady Gaga, serves to enthrall the viewers into watching this season. Ryan is no fan of subtlety as many of the scenes are in your face. However, this blatant exhibition of gore is what fans of AHS in general come to expect. I will definitely continue to check in for the rest of the season.… Expand

35 of 48 users found this helpful3513

greatwightsatan

Oct 24, 2016

Every part of Hotel is visually striking and appealing. The soundtrack is honestly at an all time high for the series. Gaga is on point. Denis O' Hare makes the season as Liz Taylor.
The only way this season falls a bit short is the whole drawl Ten Commandments Killer Plot line.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

PoeticDumpling

Oct 30, 2015

Best season since S1. It is back to its grittier darkness with a great vampire story. S3 and S4 were the weakest seasons for me. S2 was my second favorite until Hotel. I hope this show keeps this sort of vibe if it continues. Lady Gaga is refreshing...she's not off-the-charts amazing,Best season since S1. It is back to its grittier darkness with a great vampire story. S3 and S4 were the weakest seasons for me. S2 was my second favorite until Hotel. I hope this show keeps this sort of vibe if it continues. Lady Gaga is refreshing...she's not off-the-charts amazing, but more than adequate and pulls off the 80's woman vibe well. Evan Peters is the one stealing the show here. He deserves award nominations. This is his best acting of any season, thus far. Thank god, Kathy Bates is in a better role than the Bearded lady role which really did not serve her well, imho. Wes Bentley isn't an amazing actor, but he is sexy in a brooding way. I like having him in the series this season.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

nicholasbert

Oct 9, 2015

Not the best of starts for this season of AHS, continuing (maybe) the tradition set by the last two seasons, undeniably weaker than both Murder House and Asylum. When AHS hit the screens for the first time, it was actually kind of scary... we can't say the same about Hotel, which is, yes,Not the best of starts for this season of AHS, continuing (maybe) the tradition set by the last two seasons, undeniably weaker than both Murder House and Asylum. When AHS hit the screens for the first time, it was actually kind of scary... we can't say the same about Hotel, which is, yes, daunting, but has little to do with the titular "horror". The acting can rely on regulars such as Kathy Bates and Sarah Paulson, so we can almost rest assured they will grant the same level of performance they had so far.

The decor of the Hotel Cortez on its own merits a great applause, and the cinematography is, as usual, very good for a TV show. It's the story I have my doubts about already.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

Erick2302

Aug 3, 2021

Es la peor de todas las temporadas de ahs, solo es Lady Gaga paseándose en lindos vestidos y la trama muy mala.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 100 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

65

Series Overview
Season 11

tbd
- Season 11 Overview
  Air Date: October 19, 2022
Season 10

tbd
- Season 10 Overview
  Air Date: August 25, 2021
Season 9

tbd
- Season 9 Overview
  Air Date: September 18, 2019
Season 8

63
- Season 8 Overview
  Air Date: September 12, 2018
Season 7

66
- Season 7 Overview
  Air Date: September 5, 2017
Season 6

72
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: September 14, 2016
Season 5

60
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: October 7, 2015
- tbd
  S5:E12. Be Our Guest
  Air Date: January 13, 2016
- tbd
  S5:E11. Battle Royale
  Air Date: January 6, 2016
- tbd
  S5:E10. She Gets Revenge
  Air Date: December 16, 2015
- tbd
  S5:E9. She Wants Revenge
  Air Date: December 9, 2015
- tbd
  S5:E8. The Ten Commandments Killer
  Air Date: December 2, 2015
- tbd
  S5:E7. Flicker
  Air Date: November 18, 2015
- tbd
  S5:E6. Room 33
  Air Date: November 11, 2015
- tbd
  S5:E5. Room Service
  Air Date: November 4, 2015
- tbd
  S5:E4. Devil's Night
  Air Date: October 28, 2015
- tbd
  S5:E3. Mommy
  Air Date: October 21, 2015
- tbd
  S5:E2. Chutes and Ladders
  Air Date: October 14, 2015
- tbd
  S5:E1. Checking In
  Air Date: October 7, 2015
Season 4

69
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: October 8, 2014
Season 3

71
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: October 9, 2013
Season 2

65
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: October 17, 2012
Season 1

62
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: October 5, 2011