Neighbors from Hell (American Horror Story)

"Neighbors from Hell" is the third episode of the seventh season of the anthology television series American Horror Story. It aired on September 19, 2017, on the cable network FX. The episode was written by James Wong, and directed by Gwyneth Horder-Payton.[1]

"Neighbors from Hell"
American Horror Story episode
Episode no.Season 7
Episode 3
Directed byGwyneth Horder-Payton
Written byJames Wong
Production code7ATS03
Original air dateSeptember 19, 2017 (2017-09-19)
Running time43 minutes
Guest appearance(s)

Plot

A young woman named Rosie consults with Dr. Rudy Vincent. She credits him for the desensitization of her claustrophobia. When she and her husband, Mark, return home, they are attacked by clowns and trapped in coffins.

Ally is wracked with guilt for killing Pedro. Detective Samuels assures her that she was well within her rights given that Michigan has a stand-your-ground law. Ally is deemed the “lesbian George Zimmerman” by picketers who protest Pedro's death in front of the Butchery. Kai, admiring Ally’s "courage", comes to her aid and offers his protection. Harrison and Meadow berate Ally for her actions, labeling her as a racist.

Ally and Ivy witness a truck dispersing an unknown chemical and the next day dozens of dead birds are sprawled across their lawn. Later, Ally and Ivy's address is posted online in a sex ad inviting strangers to walk in unannounced to their home. Ally instantly believes the Wiltons to be responsible.

Oz is gifted a guinea pig, which he names Mr. Guinea, as a so-called peace offering by Harrison and Meadow. Ally believes this to be an attempt to drive a wedge between her and Oz as she does not allow pets. Ally ultimately allows Oz to keep Mr. Guinea after a family dinner at the Butchery.

Ally, Ivy, and Oz return home from dinner to discover a red smiley face painted on their door, a mark of the clowns. Inside, they happen upon Mr. Guinea being microwaved and subsequently exploding. Ally confronts and threatens the Wiltons. They deny their involvement. Afterwards, Ally and Ivy discover the Wiltons' home has been branded with a smiley face as well, but Ally neglects to warn them. Next, Ally confronts the operators of the chemical truck and discovers that they wear smiley face masks.

Kai unlocks the Wiltons' dark secrets in individual interrogative sessions. Meadow feels neglected and lonely while Harrison secretly wishes she was dead. Ally and Ivy try to convince Detective Samuels that the Wiltons are responsible for their recent troubles. Unbeknownst to them, Samuels is a close friend of the Wiltons.

Meanwhile, Oz watches video footage posted online of Ally being seduced by Winter. Ivy sees the footage and decides to leave with Oz. Outside, Harrison claims to the police that he woke up and found himself covered in blood and Meadow missing. He singles out Ally as responsible for Meadow's disappearance. Oz beholds the clown symbol branded on a wall inside the Wiltons' bloodsoaked home.

Reception

"Neighbors from Hell" was watched by 2.25 million people during its original broadcast, and gained a 1.2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.[2]

The episode received mostly positive reviews from critics. On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, "Neighbors from Hell" holds a 73% approval rating, based on 11 reviews with an average rating of 6.75 out of 10.[3]

Tony Sokol of Den of Geek gave the episode a 4 out of 5, comparing it to the ending of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. He said "The season took a subtle turn this episode. The convergent plots are beginning to make sense. The patterns that once seemed crazy, are now proven to be insane but no less credible. [...] American Horror Story: Cult presents a wonderfully twisted version of every liberal’s paranoia, which mirror those of conservatives."[4]

Contrary to Sokol's positive review, Kat Rosenfield from Entertainment Weekly gave the episode a C+, and criticized the episode's lack of subtlety. However, she still praised the Wiltons, commenting that they are "such a joy in their own right."[5] Vulture's Brian Moylan gave the episode a 3 out of 5, indicating a mixed review. While he enjoyed that everything was coming together in this episode, he also heavily criticized the character of Ally, calling her "the snowflake social justice warrior that Breitbart is always shouting about."[6]

Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a 6.5 out of 10, with a mixed review. He said "And here, in Cult's third chapter, Ally's reactions to things, even the crazy things, are just too unbelievable. The fact that she seemingly goes nuts in exactly the way her tormentors want her to is fiercely dumb." He also criticized Eichner's and Grossman's characters, arguing they feel too cartoony and satirical. However, he praised the opening scene, saying it was "a much needed reminder that the series is also supposed to contain a few scares".[7]

References
  1. "AMERICAN HORROR STORY - (#703) "Neighbors from Hell"". TheFutonCritic. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  2. Metcalf, Mitch (September 20, 2017). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.19.2017". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  3. "American Horror Story: Cult - "Neighbors from Hell"". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  4. Sokol, Tony (September 20, 2017). "American Horror Story Season 7 Episode 3 Review: Neighbors from Hell". Den of Geek. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  5. Rosenfield, Kat (September 19, 2017). "American Horror Story: Cult recap: 'Neighbors from Hell'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  6. Moylan, Brian (September 19, 2017). "American Horror Story Recap: A-Tisket, a Casket". Vulture.com. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  7. Fowler, Matt (September 19, 2017). "American Horror Story: Cult - "Neighbors from Hell" Review". IGN. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
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