Welcome to Camp Redwood – AHS 1984 Episode 1 Review

Having followed American Horror Story from its beginnings, I was extremely excited to hear about its new season. I remember watching the teaser trailer for it and thinking to myself, 80’s slasher I dig it! Growing up I’ve always been a horror fan so this was right up my alley, and honestly, who doesn’t love the 80’s? Everything about this season screams 80’s, from the mullets to the colorful suits and flashy makeup.

The Review

The season opens up with three camp counselors fooling around at night, before being interrupted by an unknown assailant, later known as Mr. Jingles. If gore is not your thing, this scene will turn your stomach. Not only does he brutally murder everyone, but he collects their ears as well. As the episode develops you can see the inspiration the episode pulls from, Friday the 13th. With an ominous figure that haunts a campground tracking and murdering counselors, almost an exact replica of Jason.

The opening credits were fresh out of the 80’s, with the VHS static before playing an exercise film, complete with all of the spandex in the world. As the video continued to play, it would show various things from the 80’s, while also hinting to a murderer at large.

The rest of the episode sets up the plot of the season. A group of young adults, looking to get away from the city to party, get jobs as camp counselors. As they are on their way to the camp they happen to hit a pedestrian on the side of the road, deciding not to leave him the group takes him to the camp with them.

The night before they arrive to the camp, the plague that haunted the camp before has just broken out of an asylum. As they are getting comfortable, the owner of the camp reveals that she was a victim of Mr. Jingles fourteen years ago. Brooke Thompson (Emma Roberts) begins to get paranoid and separates from the group. Upon going to the infirmary, she finds the pedestrian they rescued pinned on the door and murdered. Returning to the group, freaked out, she drags everyone to the building only to find the body missing.

Its definitely an interesting watch, and all-round better outing than the previous AHS season. Episodes are set to release Wednesdays of FX at 10pm Eastern Time.