Many people who follow the show agree that American Horror Story season 2 ranks as the scariest season so far. The reason is clear—Briarcliff Manor, the former mental institution, provides a setting that naturally triggers fear.
The season goes back and forth between the 1960s and the present, and this approach works well because it reveals the institution’s dark past while giving more depth to the characters. Things begin properly in episode 1 of American Horror Story season 2, which is titled “Welcome to Briarcliff.”
Season 2 turned fear into a psychological nightmare (Photo: American Horror Story Season 2/20th Century Fox Television)The storyline introduces Kit Walker (played by Evan Peters) in 1964. He has been accused of being the infamous serial killer called “Bloody Face,” one of the most disturbing villains in the show’s history.
While locked up at Briarcliff, Kit gets close to Grace Bertrand (Lizzie Brocheré), who was accused of killing her family members. Both of them keep denying their crimes and realise they have something in common—being misunderstood and judged.
Uncovering the Horror Inside Briarcliff
Kit also meets Shelley (Chloe Sevigny), a nymphomaniac whose presence adds another layer to the strangeness in the institution. Still looking at the 1960s storyline, a journalist named Lana Winters (Sarah Paulson) is determined to uncover what happens inside Briarcliff.
But when Sister Jude Martin (Jessica Lange) finds out that Lana is gay, she doesn’t just stop her reporting—she commits her to the asylum. Meanwhile, the season jumps to 2012, introducing Teresa and Leo, a married couple who choose to visit Briarcliff for the thrill of it.
That decision quickly turns into horror when Leo’s arms are cut off and Teresa sees the terrifying figure of Bloody Face, wearing a mask made of skin. The mystery around Bloody Face is what drives the plot in season 2. Each episode gives more hints, keeping viewers interested.
This suspense is part of what makes some fans call it the best season. As events move forward, Teresa and Leo keep encountering Bloody Face, and it’s revealed that more than one person used that name. In episode 9, “The Coat Hanger,” it’s discovered that Johnny Morgan (Dylan McDermott) is also Bloody Face.
He is the son of Lana Winters and Dr. Oliver Thredson (Zachary Quinto), the original Bloody Face.
A Chilling End with Unexpected Twists
Compared to other seasons, the final episode of American Horror Story season 2 feels even darker and heavier. Episode 13, titled “Madness Ends,” takes viewers into Lana Winters’s present life, where she is now a well-known TV journalist.
During a televised interview, she shares how she made it her mission to expose the horrors of Briarcliff. Things become tense when Johnny, her son, confronts her with the intent to kill her. But Lana acts quickly, turns the gun on him, and ends his life instead.
Kit Walker’s story starts with a scream and never lets up (Photo: American Horror Story Season 2/20th Century Fox Television)This chilling moment is given more weight when considering the pain she went through after being assaulted, which led to his birth. Sarah Paulson’s performance in this season, like in many others, leaves a lasting impression.
As one of the standout thriller shows of the 2010s, AHS made sure season 2 had an ending that would leave people thinking. Viewers get to see how Kit and Jude form a bond, and Jude becomes a maternal figure to Kit’s children.
When she later dies from a brain tumor, it’s a quiet but emotional part of the story. In an unexpected twist, Kit is taken by aliens after learning he has pancreatic cancer. Although their presence raises questions at first, the aliens are not portrayed as enemies.
It’s revealed that Kit’s children are a mix of alien and human, showing a strange but hopeful future. The closing scene of American Horror Story season 2 focuses on a conversation between Sister Jude and Lana Winters.
Jude warns Lana about focusing too much on evil by saying, “If you look in the face of evil, evil’s going to look right back at you.” This final exchange reminds viewers of Lana’s strength and determination, which make her one of the most respected characters in the series.
As everything comes to a close, Briarcliff is finally shut down, putting an end to the suffering that happened within its walls. This unforgettable movie experience is currently streaming on Amazon Prime for all subscribers.
