If you are not familiar with the American Horror Story series on FX, then the first few episodes of Hotel might mentally scar you. Any show that is rated TV MA for language, violence, and nudity should be a warning to say the least. The title sequence alone is enough to make you question whether or not you should follow through with watching the show. The sequence consists of the actors’ names  as well as the 10 commandments eerily glowing in red neon lights as the creepily familiar AHS intro song plays in the background. And how could they not include disturbing images such as corpses crawling out of dingy mattresses, and maids smearing blood across the walls are also included.

As usual, the plot follows many characters staying in the murderous Hotel Cortez in order to reveal their true intentions and how they came to be. Detective John Lowe checks in after getting kicked out of his distressed household. However, after a couple weeks staying at the hotel he comes to realize that it isn’t much of a retreat, but instead it is a repulsive hellhole.  Lowe starts seeing his kidnapped son along with many blonde look alikes in the hallway(very The Shining-esque), blood dripping down his wall, and even questions if he is going crazy. While simultaneously juggling a serial killer case which he thinks is somehow linked to the hotel.

American Horror Story has always been a disgustingly glamorous show. Everything is glamorized in a sickening way, from the gorgeous penthouse sweet which in turn is just another murder scene, to the hotel itself which resembles what could have been a luxurious hotel, but is now essentially a retro time capsule.

Although the sickening outweighs the glamour, the glamour is still present, and what better way to add to this glamour is by including Lady Gaga as the countess. Typically in the seasons of AHS, Jessica Lange has been the leading lady for all seasons, so when viewers found out she wouldn’t be in this season(that we know of) and instead Gaga is replacing her, a mix of nostalgia and excitement was present. Thus far Gaga is doing a spectacular job fulfilling her role.

The other actors are doing  a fabulous job carrying out their roles as well. The delightfully delusional Miss. Evers (Mare Winningham) doesn’t fail to accent her bipolar madness, going from bawling one second to laughing. The terrible mother-son relationship between Donovan (Matt Bomer) and Iris (Kathy Bates), and the unbearable pain Det. Lowe and his “wife” – show for their kidnapped son; these roles are carried out amazingly. Not to mention Hypodermic Sally played by Sarah Paulson who never fails to please.

AHS season five: Hotel is a must watch. It is creepy enough to leave your bones chilled, but also intrigues plenty of thought as you along with Det. Lowe attempt to figure out who the killer is. Additionally, the great this with AHS is although they are notorious for reusing actors for different seasons, each season is a different theme, so you don’t need to watch seasons 1-4 in order to be caught up. If you don’t have a weak stomach American Horror Story: Hotel is definitely a show to watch.