Video: Official Podcast Trailer — FX Networks / YouTube
Photo credit: @AHS_Source on X
You made #AHS13 the Number 1 show on Hulu and Disney Plus! 1️⃣3️⃣
— @AHS_Source 2026
Photo credit: @AHSZone on X
The official main cast list for “Madison’s Happy Ending,” the eleventh episode of #AHS13
— @AHSZone 2026
The first three episodes of American Horror Story Season 13 are out, and the early reviews are already drawing a clear line between critics and regular viewers.
Critics are largely treating the season as a deliberate love letter to longtime fans. Audience members, especially on Rotten Tomatoes and social media, are more frustrated by the short runtime and what they see as a messy, incomplete start.
Both sides are reacting to the same three episodes. They are just measuring success by different standards.
Photo credit: Shopify CDN / original Twitter source
my thoughts:
— Nina ♡ 11/4 (@flrprincess) September 26, 2026
-jessica lange <3
-confusing but ahs always is at first lol
-I don’t like the short episodes
-I wish we’d seen more of madelaine petsch
-I don’t think the season is as boring as everyone has been saying it is but I do think the main character is boring af
Photo/credit: @flrprincess on X
What the Critics Are Saying
New Emma Roberts set photo from AHS 13. Photo credit: @EmmaRobertsBr on X
New Emma Roberts set photo from AHS 13 #AHS13 #AmericanHorrorStorySeason13
— @EmmaRobertsBr September 2026
Billie Lourd discusses AHS 13 and Evan Peters. Photo credit: @AHSZone on X
Billie Lourd discusses AHS 13 and Evan Peters #AHS13 #AmericanHorrorStorySeason13
— @AHSZone September 2026
Joey Pollari celebrates AHS 13 as Number 1 on Hulu and Disney+. Photo credit: @JoeyPollari on X
Joey Pollari celebrates AHS 13 as Number 1 on Hulu and Disney+ #AHS13 #AmericanHorrorStory
— @JoeyPollari September 2026
Cast at the American Horror Story Season 13 after party. Photo credit: @BillieLourdinfo on X
Cast at the American Horror Story Season 13 after party #AHS13 #AmericanHorrorStory
— @BillieLourdinfo September 2026
AHS 13 episode runtimes confirm the half-hour format. Photo credit: @AHSZone on X
AHS 13 episode runtimes confirm the half-hour format #AHS13 #AmericanHorrorStory
— @AHSZone September 2026
Promotional collage for American Horror Story Season 13 premiere. Photo credit: @LifeIsAFilmFest on X
Promotional collage for American Horror Story Season 13 premiere #AHS13 #AmericanHorrorStory
— @LifeIsAFilmFest September 2026
Professional reviews so far land in mixed-to-positive territory with a strong emphasis on fan service.
TheWrap described the opening as a “beautifully puzzling ode to superfans.” The review noted that the season was clearly written for people who have followed every installment and can track the returning characters without hand-holding. Newcomers, the critic warned, will likely feel lost.
Radio Times gave the premiere a 3 out of 5 and called it “flawed but still fiendishly fun.” The review praised Jessica Lange’s return as Constance and the overall camp energy while admitting the plot can feel secondary to the star power.
Other early notices highlight the same strengths: the thrill of seeing so many iconic faces in the same frame, the playful use of the number 13, and the sense that Ryan Murphy is finally delivering the big crossover many fans have wanted for years.
The consensus among critics is that Season 13 works best if you already speak the language of the show.
What the Audience Is Saying
Audience scores tell a different story.
On Rotten Tomatoes, early user reviews are significantly cooler than the critic average. Common complaints include the half-hour runtime, a plot that feels disorganized, and the sense that the first three episodes raise more questions than they answer.
Several viewers have pointed out that the episodes feel unfinished. Key emotional moments arrive and then the credits roll. Others say the constant character introductions leave little room for actual story progression.
At the same time, a vocal group of longtime fans is defending the season. They argue that the short episodes and dense references are intentional and that the real payoff will come later. For them, the pure pleasure of watching Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, and the rest of the ensemble share the screen outweighs any structural complaints.
Why the Split Exists
The divide is not really about quality. It is about expectations.
Critics who have covered the franchise for years understand that Murphy has always prioritized style, surprise, and fan recognition over traditional narrative tightness. They are evaluating Season 13 on those terms and finding it largely successful.
Many casual or returning viewers, however, expected a more accessible entry point after the long gap since the previous season. The combination of short episodes, heavy lore, and a mysterious new character (Mr. Nas) has left some feeling locked out rather than invited in.
The half-hour format amplifies the problem. What might have felt like a deliberate slow burn in a 55-minute episode can feel abrupt when the same material is compressed into 33 minutes.
Jessica Lange Is the One Point of Agreement
Almost every review, positive or negative, agrees on one thing: Jessica Lange is the standout.
Her return as Constance Langdon has been widely praised. Critics and fans alike note that she immediately reclaims the screen and gives the early episodes a center of gravity. Even viewers who found the overall story confusing have singled out her performance as the reason they are still watching.
What This Means Going Forward
The next three episodes drop on October 1. Those installments will likely determine whether the audience softens or hardens its stance. If the Coven storyline gains clearer momentum and the half-hour format starts to feel intentional rather than limiting, the scores could rise. If the same sense of fragmentation continues, the gap between critics and viewers may widen further.
For now, Season 13 sits in a familiar place for the franchise. It is polarizing, stylish, and unapologetically designed for people who already love it. Whether that is enough will become clearer as more episodes arrive.
Quick Answers
Are American Horror Story Season 13 reviews positive?
Critics are mixed-to-positive and focused on the fan-service elements. Audience scores are currently lower, with many viewers citing the short runtime and confusing plot.
What do critics like most about the premiere?
Jessica Lange’s performance, the star-studded crossover, and the playful use of franchise history.
Why are some fans disappointed?
The half-hour episodes feel rushed to many, and the dense web of returning characters and new mysteries can be hard to follow without recent rewatches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is American Horror Story Season 13 about?
Season 13 is a greatest-hits crossover that brings back iconic characters from earlier seasons to face a new ultimate threat.
Where can I watch American Horror Story Season 13?
It airs on FX and streams on Hulu in the United States, and on Disney+ in many international markets.
Who is the author of this article?
Shivam Das
Author: Shivam Das
