While both hail from the macabre mind of Ryan Murphy and share a thematic universe, American Horror Story (AHS) and American Horror Stories (AHS Stories) are distinctly different. AHS is an anthology series where each season tells a self-contained, overarching narrative, while AHS Stories presents a collection of standalone episodes, often (but not always) exploring familiar locations and themes from the main series.
The Core Differences: Format and Narrative Scope
The most significant distinction lies in their format: AHS employs a season-long storytelling approach, allowing for intricate character development, complex plotlines, and a sustained atmosphere of dread. Think of Murder House, Asylum, or Coven – each season builds upon a central premise, unfolding a multi-layered narrative over several episodes. AHS Stories, on the other hand, operates as an anthology of individual episodes. Each episode, or sometimes two-part episode, tells a complete story, often unrelated to others within the same season. This makes AHS Stories more akin to a horror short story collection brought to life.
This difference in format directly impacts the narrative scope. AHS seasons have the luxury of developing nuanced character arcs, exploring intricate social commentary, and crafting elaborate backstories. They can delve deeply into specific themes, like religious fanaticism in Asylum or the corrupting influence of power in Coven. AHS Stories, constrained by its single-episode structure, must focus on delivering concise, self-contained tales. This often results in stories that are more immediately shocking or suspenseful, relying on familiar horror tropes to quickly establish stakes and deliver a satisfying (or unsettling) conclusion.
Shared DNA: Themes, Tones, and the Murphy Touch
Despite their structural differences, AHS and AHS Stories are undeniably connected. They share a common DNA, manifested in several key ways:
Recurring Themes and Locations
Both shows frequently explore similar themes, including:
- Trauma and its psychological impact: How past experiences shape individuals and communities.
- The dark side of human nature: Exploring themes of greed, violence, and obsession.
- Social commentary: Examining issues like inequality, prejudice, and the abuse of power.
- Supernatural elements: Ghosts, demons, witches, and other supernatural entities play prominent roles.
Furthermore, AHS Stories often revisits locations previously established in AHS. For example, several episodes explore the infamous Murder House, allowing viewers to delve deeper into its haunted history and meet new unfortunate souls trapped within its walls. This creates a sense of continuity and familiarity for fans of the original series.
The “Ryan Murphy-Verse” Aesthetic
Ryan Murphy’s distinctive style is evident in both shows. This includes:
- Bold visuals: A striking visual aesthetic, often incorporating vibrant colors and dramatic lighting.
- Over-the-top characters: Characters that are often eccentric, flawed, and larger than life.
- Exploration of taboos: Addressing sensitive and controversial topics in a provocative manner.
- Frequent use of familiar actors: Many actors, like Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, and Lily Rabe, appear in both AHS and AHS Stories, albeit often in different roles.
This shared aesthetic contributes to the overall feeling that AHS Stories exists within the same universe as AHS, even though the stories are largely independent.
FAQs: Deep Diving into the American Horror Universe
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the distinctions and connections between American Horror Story and American Horror Stories:
What’s the best order to watch American Horror Story and American Horror Stories?
It doesn’t particularly matter, as American Horror Stories rarely requires prior knowledge of American Horror Story. However, watching American Horror Story first allows you to appreciate the Easter eggs and deeper connections in American Horror Stories more fully, particularly when it revisits locations and characters. Watching American Horror Story seasons in order of release is generally recommended for its internal continuity.
Does American Horror Stories spoil anything from American Horror Story?
Generally, no. AHS Stories episodes that revisit locations like the Murder House might offer additional backstory or insights, but they don’t typically reveal major plot spoilers from the original AHS seasons. However, it’s always wise to be cautious if you’re particularly sensitive to even minor details being revealed.
Are the characters from American Horror Stories ever in American Horror Story?
Rarely. While some actors appear in both shows, they almost always play different characters. There might be minor references to events in AHS Stories within AHS seasons, but direct character crossovers are uncommon.
Is American Horror Stories scarier than American Horror Story?
This is subjective. AHS often relies on slow-burn suspense and psychological horror, while AHS Stories tends to be more focused on immediate scares and shocking moments. The shorter format of AHS Stories often leads to more graphic content. Whether you find one scarier than the other depends on your personal preferences regarding horror.
Where can I watch American Horror Story and American Horror Stories?
Both series are primarily available on FX and Hulu. Availability might vary depending on your region.
Will there be more seasons of both shows?
Yes, both American Horror Story and American Horror Stories have been renewed for additional seasons. The continued success of both series has ensured their future on FX and Hulu.
Is there any crossover between American Horror Story seasons?
Yes, there are several seasons that are connected through characters or storylines. Apocalypse is the most notable example, as it directly connects Murder House and Coven. Other seasons feature smaller connections and cameos from characters in previous seasons.
Why was American Horror Stories created?
American Horror Stories was created to expand the American Horror Story universe and explore different horror concepts within a shorter, more accessible format. It allows for greater experimentation and the opportunity to tell a wider range of stories.
Is American Horror Stories a substitute for American Horror Story?
No, American Horror Stories is not intended as a replacement for American Horror Story. They are designed to complement each other, offering different viewing experiences within the same overall world.
Does American Horror Stories have the same production quality as American Horror Story?
While both shows share a similar visual style and production team, some viewers have noted that American Horror Story generally has a higher overall budget and more polished production values, particularly in its earlier seasons. However, American Horror Stories still maintains a high standard of quality.
Are there any plans for a American Horror Story movie?
As of now, there are no confirmed plans for a American Horror Story movie. However, given the popularity of the franchise, it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility in the future.
Is American Horror Story based on real events?
While some seasons of American Horror Story draw inspiration from real-life events and figures, such as the LaLaurie Mansion in Coven or the serial killers in Hotel, the show is largely fictional and heavily embellished for dramatic effect. American Horror Stories also occasionally incorporates elements inspired by urban legends and folklore.
In conclusion, while both American Horror Story and American Horror Stories share a common creative vision and exist within the same thematic landscape, they are fundamentally different entities. American Horror Story offers a deep dive into complex, season-long narratives, while American Horror Stories provides a bite-sized anthology of chilling tales. Understanding these distinctions allows viewers to appreciate each show on its own merits and fully immerse themselves in the twisted world of American Horror.