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Freak Show – American Horror Story

Play trailer Poster for Freak Show – American Horror Story Oct 2014 Horror Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
77% Tomatometer 202 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
A troupe of human curiosities, aka "freaks," arrive in the quiet hamlet of Jupiter, Fla., in 1952; around the time of the group's arrival, a dark entity emerges that threatens the lives of the town's residents and those of the visitors.
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American Horror Story — Freak Show

American Horror Story — Freak Show

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Critics Consensus

Though it may turn off new viewers unaccustomed to its unabashed weirdness, Freak Show still brings the thrills, thanks to its reliably stylish presentation and game cast.

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Critics Reviews

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Kelsey Wallace Bitch Media Jan 22, 2021
The problem with Freak Show is that the more we get to know these people, the less there is to like... Feak Show invites us to gawk at various people with disabilities and feel good doing it. Go to Full Review Luke Holland Guardian Dec 3, 2014
I'm going to go out on a limb - a bloodied, crudely dismembered, rotting limb. This series, despite its deliberately lefty-irking title and potentially insensitive subject matter, is by far and away my favourite so far. Go to Full Review Emily Nussbaum The New Yorker Dec 1, 2014
Refreshingly, the season is also genuinely frightening, with at least one truly nightmarish vision per week. Go to Full Review Cameron Ferguson Black Girl Nerds Jun 26, 2018
Freakshow had everything I could ask for from American Horror Story; lots of blood, cringe-worthy horror, jaw-dropping moments..., and most of all a GREAT VILLAIN! Go to Full Review Britt Hayes ScreenCrush Mar 16, 2017
Subtlety has never been creator Ryan Murphy's strong suit, but Murphy (who also wrote and directed tonight's premiere) seems to have fully embraced that approach, delivering what appears to be both the most horrifying and joyful season yet. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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ice T @ice77 Aug 11, 2026 I LOVE THIS SEASON SO MUCH THE ENDING WAS SO GOOD See more Joe L @Hoagie1013 Apr 8, 2026 All the characters and their struggles were fun to watch. See more Roger Wayne A @Rogeradams6oh6 Dec 29, 2025 This one was okay. Not my favorite but most fans will enjoy it. See more Vagner S @RT98188681 Nov 26, 2025 It was a fun season to follow, despite its focus on drama rather than the horror promised by the title. Lange, Paulson, and Bates delivered excellent performances, bringing their characters to life in an engaging way. Wittrock was the highlight of the season, giving us a villain who is easy to hate. See more Nicky A @RT02542971 Nov 24, 2025 I don't really get the hate for this season, I thought it was great, especially Jessica Lange's performance with a new banger song. Still prefer the name game tho lol See more Laurian D @Laurian Nov 8, 2025 Too weird, to over the top theatrical at times but not too engaging. Worth a watch for the amazing Jessica Lange and what must have been Sarah Paulson's most difficult role ever. All the actors are great actually, but the story is sort of a turn-off. See more Read all reviews
American Horror Story — Freak Show

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Jessica Lange

Elsa Mars

Kathy Bates

Ethel Darling

Sarah Paulson

Bette & Dot Tattler

Michael Chiklis

Dell Toledo

Angela Bassett

Desiree Dupree

Evan Peters

Jimmy Darling

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Oct 8, 2014 Monsters Among Us One of the only surviving sideshows in the country struggles to stay in business during the dawning era of television; police make a terrifying discovery at a local farmhouse. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 15, 2014 Massacres and Matinees A citywide curfew threatens to shut down the freak show; a strongman from Ethel's troubled past arrives at camp; Gloria arranges a terrifying play date for Dandy; the Tattler Twins reveal a talent that could knock Elsa from the spotlight. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 22, 2014 Edward Mordrake The freaks refuse to perform on Halloween due to an old carny superstition; Jimmy is smitten by a woman claiming to be a fortuneteller; Ethel receives life-changing news. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 29, 2014 Edward Mordrake Edward Mordrake continues his search for a freak to add to his ghostly coterie; Elsa tells the grisly story of her days in Germany; Jimmy and Maggie have a run-in with the twisted clown. Details Episode 5 Aired Nov 5, 2014 Pink Cupcakes Stanley and Maggie hatch a plan to murder the freaks; Gloria hides the evidence of Dandy's gruesome new hobby; a health scare reveals Desiree may not be the oddity she once thought. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 12, 2014 Bullseye Elsa unveils a dangerous new act; Stanley puts pressure on Maggie to murder Jimmy; Paul indulges in a secret romance. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 19, 2014 Test of Strength The women of the freak show rally against Dell after his latest act of violence; a strange encounter with Dandy raises Jimmy's suspicion about the clown murders. Details Episode 8 Aired Dec 3, 2014 Blood Bath Recent disappearances around camp raise Ethel's suspicion of Elsa; Gloria makes a last ditch effort to contain Dandy's bloodlust. Details Episode 9 Aired Dec 10, 2014 Tupperware Party Massacre In the wake of a tragic loss, Jimmy sinks into a drunken despair; a reading from Maggie spurs Dandy to action; Stanley and Elsa track down the Twins. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 17, 2014 Orphans The death of a freak sparks troubling behavior in Pepper; Elsa reveals the history of the freak show. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 7, 2015 Magical Thinking Elsa prepares for her move to Hollywood; the twins grow enamored with a traveling salesman; Dell plots Jimmy's escape from police custody. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 14, 2015 Show Stoppers Dandy gives the Twins troubling information about Chester; Maggie vows to prove her loyalty to Jimmy; the freaks enforce their harsh code of justice. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 21, 2015 Curtain Call The freaks rebel against new management; Dandy prepares for his debut performance; Elsa arrives in Tinseltown. Details

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American Horror Story — Freak Show

American Horror Story: Freak Show American Horror Story: Freak Show American Horror Story: Freak Show View more photos

Season Info

Synopsis A troupe of human curiosities, aka "freaks," arrive in the quiet hamlet of Jupiter, Fla., in 1952; around the time of the group's arrival, a dark entity emerges that threatens the lives of the town's residents and those of the visitors.
Executive Producer
Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Dante Di Loreto, Tim Minear, Jennifer Salt, James Wong, Bradley Buecker
Network
FX
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Horror, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date
Oct 8, 2014
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