American Horror Story (TV Series) Checking In (2015) User Reviews

American Horror Story Hotel ep 1 review

[snarkyphilo · 8/10 · 8 October 2015]

This episode was a spectacular starter to the new season! From the technical end of things the design of the interior of the hotel was a nice mix of The Shinning, a retro apartment building, and general grandeur going to seed with a flare of pop art thrown in for flavor, the perfect setting for the unfolding story. The music utilized both mimetically and non-mimetically, does a good job of helping to enhance the tone of the story, and from the camera end of things we got some good angle shots, distorted lens shots and tracking shots that were well utilized in presenting the scope and slightly off kilter atmosphere.

Meanwhile the story is inhabited by our lead straight man in all the madness, John Lowe (Wes Bentley) a murder investigator that moves into the hotel at the end of the show. He seems alright as a character, though it's hard to pin him down as either good or bad this early into the show.

The Countess (Lady GaGa) is an interesting figure with just the right amount of snazzy mystery and bloody pizazz. Lady GaGa definitely owns the part of the uniquely creepy bloodsucking head honcho, and it will be interesting to see how her character progresses throughout the show, particularly in concert with the other characters.

Kathy Bates also returned this season and is engaging from moment one as Iris, the curmudgeon manager of the Cortez. Bates delivers her usual dry wit and brilliant work as an actress in making the character her own; watching her character as the meet and greet face/enforcer of the hotel will be an interesting and enjoyable element of the show.

Speaking of story, It was hard at first to figure out how all the deaths were interconnected, but then they brought in Miss Evers who was the realtor of the haunted house from the first season, and you realize that she alludes to her previous position as a realtor in season one with the new hotel owner and combine that with the later revelation of characters dyeing in the past and yet are still walking around in the present and we potentially got another setting similar in its ghostly rules from season 1, except in a hotel. You can find other elements of the first season being utilized such as a demonic rapist in full body material though this time possibly latex and all white with a phallic device, so there are likely not to be any more anti-christs conceived on premises.

This was a creative and engaging start to the season that set the characters and tone for what is to come beautifully, being acted by returning cast members from previous seasons and newer cast applying their talents to this engrossing material which shows some excellent promise for a strong season ahead.

Strong come back with a creepier story .. a little tense about Gaga's act .. but lets enjoy it and hope this season turns to be what we expect.

[Aktham_Tashtush · 8/10 · 8 October 2015]

That was a really strong come back for the show .. this episode by so many level has a tighter plot a more understandable story at least than the last two seasons >>> it looks indeed as creepy as the AHS Asylum and that is a wowzer .

comes the casting "which i believe is gonna be keeping up to date each episode " but the old cast is there and they know how things work in the show so no need to compliment more on their performance .. bringing Wes Bentley and he's a pro on the big screen with a long list of movies so here it's kinda new work place but honestly his face is giving that vibe that he's right for the show ... would i have preferred to see "Dylan McDermott" back instead of him .. well yeah but it is what it is .. Aaand for the famous Lady Gaga ;) well i though she might have appeared in the last series "Freak Show" i mean she fits better there .. so here i don't see it yet .. and she thinks "in the show" that she is the queen of script .. but she's not that good of actress so just hold your horses Lady :D .. so for the sake of the show i hope they don't write the script around Her .

Overall,, i was waiting for this day for several months so lets enjoy the new creative story and hope that it turns the way we expect it to do.

Season opens with soooo much promise!

[shweta-51657 · 8/10 · 19 April 2020]

Goddamn. Now that is how you start a new season.

We all know AHS is less about the horror and more about the macabre and shock factor. And damn, this one sells.

Great use of music in this season. A new dark dingy set, reminiscent of the hotel from the Shining. Wes Bentley is a delight to see in this fairly normal role so far. Matt Bomer is a feast. Denis O'Hare has a get up you wont soon forget in this season and he is pulling it off very convincingly. Sarah Paulson isnt as interesing as she used to be. But I have to say going in, I was hesitant to see what Lady Gaga would bring to the table. But oh wow, she so far is the star attraction. I feel the loss of Jessica Lange but I think Lady Gaga has so much screen presence, she will fill Lange's shoes quite comfortably.

This has to be the best season opener I have seen AHS put foward so far. Cant wait to see this season.

A Tomb of Grandeur, Bloody and Nightmarish

[cmgibson-95102 · 9/10 · 8 October 2015]

American Horror Story returns strongly with a more claustrophobic environment of narrow hallways and mysteries behind every door. The theme this season appears to revolve around vices and addiction, parallels between sex and hypodermic needles, and a mysterious killer punishing those that do not follow the ten commandments.

"Checking In," gives the impression of a lucid dream, with everything being strange and otherworldly within the walls of the beautiful Hotel Cortez, and with evil spilling out its ornate doors into the ordinary world around. This premiere episode acts as an introduction to the world and its inhabitants, as well as providing plenty of scares that will leave you with intrigue.

Containing some excellent and also obvious music choice, some of the most disturbing imagery and scenes in the series, the Hotel Cortez certainly gives reason to return to uncover its many mysteries.

Where do I begin?

[nbush12 · 8 October 2015]

I had very high hopes for this ground breaking show. AHS was recommended to me by a very good friend back when season 4 was wrapping up I watched the first three in a month and fell in love with the show. Everything from the story, the acting, and even the camera work was phenomenal. When I heard that this season was going to be hotel I flipped. I thought it would be such an interesting idea. Boy was I wrong. The first 12 minutes were great, it only went downhill from there. The first red flag was the naked man and woman glued inside of each other with the dead woman on top. I said I could deal with that because of Se7en. Then a man was raped with a screw driver a couple minutes later with no explanation. It was very unnecessary and was highly graphic and disgusting. But I finally turned it off when Gaga and Matt Bomer had a four-some. I was very disappointed with Ryan Murphy, he is a genius but very twisted. I recommend watching the other seasons but certainly not this one!

This is a diamond in the making!

[TinyBeast98 · 10/10 · 23 October 2018]

I didn't expect much when I started watching these series, to be honest. I've been somewhat influenced by bad reviews and to a certain extent, I thought to myself, how good of a story cand a horror series have? I was pleasently surprised! The first season was wonderful. More of a thriller rather than a horror series, but it managed to have the perfect amount of suspense, the storyline was great and the addition of the supernatural element made everything come together wonderfully. 10/10 Asylum - the second season was an interesting. As of what I've figured, the asylum itself might be loosely based off of the Weaverly Hills Sanatorium (used to be a TB hospital, then turned into an asylum for the elderly and mentally unstable). I think they could've exploited the idea of an asylum more. I wasn't particularly impressed with this season as it didn't fit the idea I had of such a place. But, objectively speaking, it was good. The plot was good and the location made for an interesting season. (7/10) The third season - Coven - was one of my favourites. Very nicely representing a modern day coven, it also brings up a little bit of history. Old meets new. Despite the fact that a few things were a bit far fetched (it's fiction, after all), they've touched on a few interesting topics when it comes to witchcraft and they've done it very well. I loved everything about this season! (10/10) The fourth season - Freak Show - wasn't really my cup of tea, although, I must admit, it did have some great moments but, overall, it didn't manage to lure me into the atmosphere of 50s travelling circus. (8/10) The fifth season - Hotel - this one's my all time favourite! The plot, the plot twists, the atmosphere, the imagery, even the soundtrack! They all stand out to me! Unfortunately, this is the most underrated season of all. The only thing that I've found gratuitous about this season, was the presence of the Drill Monster. He did, however, have a meaning, but it could've been suggested in another way than using that weird looking monster... I was also surprised with Lady Gaga who did an amazing job at portraing The Countess.(10/10) The sixth season - Roanoak - this was yet another masterpiece! The whole concept of the season is great! One of the best seasons, with a series of unexpected twists. It was wonderful! (10/10) The seventh season - Cult - now, this one, I didn't like at all. I found it kind of boring. The characters didn't convince me and neither did the plot. I didn't find something in particular to hang on, I didn't find at least one character to like and root for. Kai had a pretty far fetched person from what a cult leader would actually be. He just seemed like a troubled teen ager to me. Winter was incredibly annoying and made me dislike her immediately. I literally tried to bring myself to like Ally but just couldn't manage to get past her whiny nature. (5/10) Now, the current season of the series - Apocalypse - I didn't come into it expecting too much after Cult BUT I was pleasently surprised! I'm loving this season and it's development, and the fact that it's connected to both Coven, as well as Murder House, is perfect, for me. I would give it a 10/10 until now and I hope to not change my mind until the end. Overall, the concept is great, taking inspiration from various events in American history is great, the cast is perfect and I don't mind the least bit watching the same actors playing different parts since they're great at doing it! As any series, it has its hits and misses but it's totally worth watching and I hope they won't choose to end it anytime soon. I'm an avid binge watcher of series but AHS was and will probably remain the only one for which I have the patience to wait until every Wednesday for a new episode.

I was worried it wouldn't be worth the wait!

[spraylisa · 9/10 · 8 October 2015]

I have been checking the date on my laptop daily...7th October, 7th October, 7th October! I am a fan of American Horror Story, although it was only really Murder House (Season 1) and Coven (Season 3) which kept my attention fully. I like the style of using the same actors, in different roles, and seeing how talented they are at doing certain ones. The 'Newbies' in this season seem to have been chosen really well and i am excited about the cast. I had managed not to watch any trailers beforehand, although the night before i couldn't help myself. After i'd watched 2 clips online and i felt disappointed. Although the deco style of the hotel was great it looked to me like more of a set and all the creepy clips seemed like they'd been done so many times in other films. Some of this IS true, and like a previous reviewer has stated, there are elements of The Shining which i find really tacky. The kids in the hallway annoyed the hell out of me! BUT, with Dennis O'Hare also wandering the halls with his dressing gown flowing, i can forgive them! LOVED Lady Gaga's character! I usually avoid anything of hers when i see her performing, but she can act like the best of them! The season keeps the style of the other seasons nicely, but i do feel there is a lot of shocking scenes that i'm surprised they can show on TV?? It is GRAPHIC!! Now, that being said - this does not mean it will retain this high score. It usually goes downhill a bit, BUT i'm glad there are new faces. That might help it along!! Let's hope those kids are not in it much more! Who's the actor with the bowler hat and cane going to be??? I wonder...

Welcome To the Hotel Cortez

[rafarici · 10/10 · 9 October 2015]

Returning to the mood of the 1st season, Hotel is a journey in style to hell. The cinematography is wonderful, the sets are impressive. Bingo!

Each season covers a specific topic. In this, we have the vice and sin, incorporated into a creature that uses a cone-shaped dildo to murder their victims (in one of the most shocking scenes of the episode). And speaking of shocking scenes, we also have an orgy with Lady Gaga and Matt Bomer which ends in a bloodbath. (Yes).

In the premiere, we were not presented to the character of Evan Peters, based on HH Holmes, but we had idea of the hidden secret passages in the walls of Cortez.

Sarah Paulson was wonderful. Denis O'Hare was wonderful as Liz Taylor. And Lady Gaga surprises in the role of the Countess.

Can not wait for the next episode and see what happens next.

More freaky than 'Freak Show'

[Seraphim99 · 9/10 · 18 October 2015]

Over-the-top, gory, bizarre, shocking, disturbing, crude and very stylish, in an hour my faith was restored in the AHS brand after a fourth series which I felt never lived up to its potential. There was more freakishness about this opening episode than about the vast majority of the Freak Show series - with the exception of the evil clown, who was the best thing in it. Yes, there are some wince-inducing moments in this opener, as if Ryan Murphy was pushing the envelope to see just how far he'd be allowed to go. I'd be intrigued to know if he had to rein in any of what he wrote. As for what the hell is going on? Based on a scene with the young children near the end relaxing in a room, apparently playing some very old videogames, I was reminded of the excellent 'Cabin in the Woods'. But whatever the explanation, at last AHS has returned to some good, freaky, and occasionally supernatural horror and is on course to maybe even eclipse 'Asylum' as the most ghoulishly atmospheric series so far.

Awesome

[Remmi · 9/10 · 14 June 2016]

'Vampires? Not again!' is a thought that has crossed everyone's mind at least once when looking for a new series to watch. Surely, there's nothing to surprise the average viewer with at this point.

Returning with a bang, the pilot episode of the 5th season of American Horror Story proves this opinion wrong in many levels. The twisted plot, unique characters and striking camera angles have made this show one of the best in it's field. And the introduction to Hotel is no different.

Story starts with a police man, who had his son taken away mysteriously, investigating a series of disgusting murders, a suspect contacting him leading to a series of events making him end up in the ominous hotel Cortez where the median age of a murderer seems to be under 14.

Seeing Lady Gaga lying in bed with her lover and two corpses as well as a man killing his victims with a cone shaped strap on makes this vampire thriller memorable from the start.

Although using a well known pop star makes every word in their scenes a little bit pretentious, overall delivery of characters fits in the eerie boarders of this legendary show perfectly. Much thanks to the regular cast of the show who somehow fit in every role they play pulling you into every second even more with their remarkable acting abilities. Every character is a piece of art worth figuring out. The excellence of casting is definitely worth a mention.

Director Ryan Murphy's delivery gives addition with scenes like one of the hotel occupants walking down a corridor with a police man that is shot from the ground level making the man's robe flying almost hypnotizing and also finding ways to lose the viewer in the layout as well as making the location seem bigger.

In the end, you will be hooked and eager to return for the rest of the season of this legendary horror show. You will also probably will already have a favorite character to obsess over until the next time.

Hotel Creepy-fornia

[Pstitzinger-171-775066 · 7/10 · 7 October 2015]

This premiere definitely grabbed my attention more so than any of the other seasons'. I enjoyed the homages to The Shining, Hostel, and even a scene that seemed to be a nod to a scene from the video game Heavy Rain. Even the flashback year to the event in the show just so happens to be the same year Heavy Rain was released. Cool coincidence if not intended. But many intense scenes that just made me want to know what was going to happen next. Honestly, don't watch if you're squeamish.

One thing consistent since season 3 is Kathy Bates being absolutely outstanding, and this has potential to be her best AHS role so far. Although I was skeptical about Lady Gaga's casting for the series this season, I found her character has a classic AHS depth to her that should be the driving force of the season, and she can definitely pull off a creepiness in her character that this show strives for. I very much enjoyed the cinematography of the episode and even thought some of the camera techniques were similar to those used in the Saw movies. In particular, the shakes-twisty cam.

A strong start to what could very well be a great season for this anthology show, but even NFL teams that start 1-0 don't make playoffs. 7/10,

A misunderstood masterpiece

[gameskiller-07685 · 10/10 · 16 May 2021]

People who're hating on this season just because it's graphic, vulgar, sexual and bloody are uneducated and don't know what horror means. This season creates a grimly amazing atmosphere, Lady Gaga performance is high level, amazing acting and perfect writing. This is the best AHS episode yet.

Hum... Not a very good start.

[lupinlevorace · 6/10 · 8 October 2015]

My expectations were not that high, and still this first episode left me disappointed.

I don't mind gore, au contraire, but blood just for the sake of blood doesn't do it for me. I don't care so far for the plot, nor for any of the characters. Both Gaga and her lover were obviously "inspired" by the two main characters from The Hunger, although Gaga is no Catherine Deneuve, and Matt Bomer is no David Bowie.

The only good thing I can say is that the art direction is superb!

But this season is still young, and I'll wait until episode two or three before deciding if I want to stay or checking out... ;)

...More like Hotel Cra.ppyfornia

[tamarafcb · 2/10 · 9 October 2015]

A fellow TV and movie lover here on IMDb called this first episode of the fifth season Hotel Creepyfornia. I must disagree. As much as I love horror, gore and quirkiness and as much as I was excited to see the new season of AHS, it just didn't work for me. I felt like the characters were pretty much stupid and the story makes no sense. But what set me off even more is the fact that this is somehow based on shock value alone which always makes me yawn (lazy writing). Another thing that made me not so invested are the costumes. All this high fashion in the show shows that they went for style over substance (once again, as in season 3). I'd rather watch believable characters (meaning that they don't do stupid things) in poor "fashion" than the other way around. I want to cheer for them and not look at what they're wearing. I want to love the sinisterness of the evil protagonists and understand why they do what they do. So, in lack of all that that I find interesting, I don't recommend this. 2/10 - very disappointed.

Best season

[thomasogalli · 14 March 2021]

Every character was great and the only thing I found boring was the 10 commitments or something like that. It didn't make sence

Lady Gaga ruins AHS Hotel

[roxyangelkisses · 8/10 · 26 February 2017]

I did not think AHS could get worse every season but it has. Each season a lot of great actors and actresses leave and often never return. When I first heard about the subtitle for Season 5 being "Hotel" I immediately thought of "The Shining". I was excited now I'm just disappointed. I think the worst part after the terrible story line is Lady Gaga! She stinks. She cannot act at all. She has ruined Season 5 for me and it barely has started. I'm not surprised Jessica Lange left the show. I can't believe Kathy Bates stayed. Why would Oscar winners want to work with a wannabe like Gaga? This only proves if your famous you can pay anyone to let you work. I mean I hope they didn't pay her for that crap acting. Do yourself a favor re-watch "Murder House" or "Asylum" instead of "Hotel" and pray that Gaga goes back where she came from.

S5.E1 - Hotel of Horrors [10/10]

[panagiotis1993 · 10/10 · 17 January 2024]

(S5. E1) My Live Reaction / Review for American Horror Story Season 5 Episode 1 ''Checking In''. The previous season was good and I gave it a rating of 9/10. Let's see if this one is better or worse. Wow, someone cut this guy's tongue and removed his eyes? That's brutal. That creature man thing is raping that guy? What kind of hotel is that? Absolute madness. The way Lady Gaga and her boyfriend killed that couple was brutal. This season I hope will have more gore and brutality. I love Kathy Bates as the psycho receptionist. Is Sarah Paulson's character real or a hotel ghost? Im a bit confused. Is lady gaga the ''boss'' of this hotel? It seems like there is a serial killer out there. John lost his son like that, it's so sad. Ok so Sally is indeed dead and a ghost, I love ghost stories. It's sad that John's marriage is falling apart. John got room 64? That's not good. Overall this was the perfect way to start this season. My rating is 10/10.

First Blood

[ZegMaarJus · 9/10 · 4 July 2021]

This episode begins with Agnetha and Vendela, they enter the hotel. A Demon came out of the bed of the girls. The police arrived at the crime scene, a man has been raped heavily. John enters room 64. The Countess appears, they have a quartet at the hotel. The Countess and Donovan killed the pair after the quartet. Vendela runs away, The Countess cuts trough Vendela's troath, she died instantly. John enters the crime scene. Scarlett sees two dead men, she screams. Will Drake is the new owner of the hotel. John checks in at the hotel. Great episode of American Horror Story Season 5, such a amazing beginning of this 5th season. Much blood. Many action, just great!

this series is a ground-breaker...

[A_Different_Drummer · 6/10 · 18 October 2015]

... the implications of which are unlikely to be understood for another 5 or 10 years.

Note that I am not saying I like it. However as a reviewer I feel obligated to review it.

In terms of traditional horror we have seen stories about clinical insanity and stories about people who seem normal but may in fact be clinically insane.

This series, now in its fifth season, is different. It is about normalcy presented by people who may already have clinical issues, to viewers who may possibly develop clinical issues merely by watching.

I am not knocking this show, just trying to be honest. I believe that TV historians of the future will consider this the second production ever (the first being MTV itself) to be deliberately and specifically aimed at the "younger viewer" -- ie the viewer who grew up in the digital age, with some exposure to pharmaceutical enhancements, and iTunes, who, because of the life they have led, have a massive and unexplored tolerance for ambiguity, paradox, violence, gore and (don't forget) commercials. But not necessarily in that order.

To put that more clearly, if this show is skewing any demographic over 50 years of age, I will eat my flat screen TV, and the cable box too.

Great production values, great use of stars, very pretty sets, everyone involved, producers and viewers alike, feels really cool about it, but at the end of the day one cannot escape the notion that -- with the possible exception of Season 1 where they actually TRIED to run an arc that made some sense -- this series of gorgeous images remains full of sound and fury but signifies absolutely nothing.

Kind of a classic with some advanced elements

[estasnebiju1997 · 7/10 · 11 October 2015]

First of all, bet that other episodes I will rate higher. I just forgot how epic, freaky and weird American Horror Story is. The things I didn't like about AHS new seasons opening episode is that there were typical horror movie elements. Can't really remember where, but probably in "The Shining" there were quite the same scary scene where little boy was standing in the hallway and creeping everyone out. The same here. And secret doors in really big hotel, come on, it has been seen too many times. But of course it is AHS. Creators can't stop surprising with scary, emotionally disgusting scenes (which I like to watch), like the creature with drill as a penis... I bet we will be seeing things like that a lot. Another thing I like, they kept Matt Bomer. Despite he had a role for 1 episode in previous season, I was hoping to see him in new seasons and it came true. To sum up, "Cheking In" was good. With some creepy scenes, classic elements and lots of questions about the characters.

Bummed

[KMacBro · 1/10 · 8 October 2015]

Not impressed at all. I watched online and kept checking how much time was left. I looked when there was still 20 minutes remaining and thought... "Oh, good, they can still redeem themselves and make something actually happen." Nope. Never happened. I hope it gets better. And I felt like I was practically watching porn. All of that is completely unnecessary and can be implied without actually showing it as explicitly as they do. Seriously, gross.

Everything had already been done before. I'm not a fan of the characters or of the overall storyline... If there even is one??? Nothing connected and it was a mess. I felt like they just threw in a bunch of random creepy things just because they could and not for any greater purpose. Sadly, this show is so hyped up that people won't think anything less than awesome of this episode. But in reality, it was crap.

Enough with the Pornography!

[michaelpracht · 6/10 · 15 November 2020]

This episode started out a solid 9 but gradually dropped to a 5 because of the long unnecessary GaGa scenes and the rampant pornography. That's not the kind of entertainment I look for or want to be bludgeoned with on network television. It managed to redeem itself to a 6 in the final scenes. Just not sure I want to put myself through any more of the gratuitous sexual content by continuing to watch this season.

Strong start, but very very disturbing

[nikitacpv · 7/10 · 25 February 2024]

I haven't watched AHS in years. I suppose I gave up halfway through season 4. Now that I had a chance to watch AHS again I figured I wasn't in the mood to re-start season 4 or figure out where I left of. Because I love Lady Gaga and unlike anyone else says, I do think she's a good actress, I knew I had to watch season 5, as well as the whole hotel scene attracted me.

The first episode was strong, I guess I preferred the story around the detective more than anyone else, but what I did forget is that AHS is disturbed, very disturbed. The cameo Max Greenfield made and then well... that thing on top of him. That made my stomach turn. Not necessary for the storyline so far for me at all.

I hope the other episodes are a bit stronger storyline wise (although I must say a pretty strong start) but a 7-stars for the disturbing scenes that were a bit much for me at times.

A beautiful disappointment

[teaguemcmartin · 5/10 · 14 November 2015]

The first season was good enough to keep me watching. It then becomes a question of whether season 2 or 3 was better. The hospital was slightly darker and more experimental, in terms of writing and story (eg. name game sequence). Coven was less experimental but was livelier, not just in terms of its characters, it was lighter, literally. My friends and I have debated which is the better season but it's consistently a debate between seasons two and three. Season four surpassed all previous seasons in terms of effects. The intro sequence alone was mesmerizing. Unfortunately, as the spacial effects improved, the writing and characterization declined significantly. The dark humor became simply dark and the characters were so bleak I was left with nobody to root for. By the time the finale rolled around I was left with no interest in what happened to anybody. Thanks almost solely to the effects department I continued into season 5. Six episodes in it apparent that style didn't simply take over for substance, it slit substances throat and tossed it down the laundry chute. Judging the tone, suppose 10 is overwhelming elation and 0 is utter despair. Season five started around a 3 and has been going downhill ever since. There's nothing to hope for and nobody to care about. The acting is probably as good as the writing allows and the effects are unbeatable but the emotional investment is about the equivalent of a music video. Much like season 4,there are no high points, there is no fun, and without somebody to root for, there is no hope. Although it would work great as a backdrop for a Trent Reznor concert, as a show it is thoroughly disappointing. Barring an astonishing one-eighty from the writing staff, season 5 will be my last season of American Horror Story.

Meh...not really impressed

[elizrug · 4/10 · 14 October 2015]

I was left pretty bummed by a lot of things.

First, the lack of a real story. The story that is hinted at is trite and as used as an old baggy.

Second, Gaga. Really? She's not an actress, not much of a singer, either. She's an entertainer, and this role does not need an entertainer. It needs a convincing actress.

Third, the gratuitous violence and gore. The other seasons of AHS didn't need to rely so heavily on splatter to draw the audience in. The other seasons used creepiness and interesting characters, which was far more enjoyable.

A horror story should be scary. This is not scary. Except for Gaga's acting.