American Horror Story is known for its themed stories each season, but AHS season 10's title, Double Feature, indicates that the show will be doing something very different this time around. Here's what the title means.
For the past decade, AHS has covered various topics in horror. The show has told stories ranging from haunted houses to killer clowns to the end of the world. Each season previously stuck to one theme and told a scary and fully-fleshed out story around that specific topic. However, for the first time in its run, AHS season 10 will deviate from that structure.
Double Feature means exactly what it sounds like — two stories, back to back. They take place in different locations within the same settings. That means there will likely be some unifying connection between each story. This is the first time AHS has done something like this, it's anyone's guess as to what will happen — but the one thing that is certain is that this new structure may very well change the future of American Horror Story.
In the months leading up to season 10's title announcement, AHS creator Ryan Murphy had been teasing seaside images in relation to the show's theme. On an Instagram video, Murphy finally began to pull back the curtain for AHS season 10. He formally stated that Double Feature would feature two stories — "one by the sand and one by the sea." As CBR reported, Murphy said this actually means fans will be getting two seasons in one calendar year. This will be a first in the show's 10-year run. The cast for the first installment, the story by the sea, has already been announced, but at the time of writing this article, cast and plot details about the story by the sand haven't been released yet.
If this experimental new format proves to be successful, that might mean that the show may be flipped on its head for good. AHS has stuck to the same formula for the last decade. But sometimes, routine gets stale and audiences may lose interest. While it has proven to be massively successful, shaking up their formula may end up bringing AHS new fans. Murphy has proven time and time again that he's not afraid to make bold choices with the horror anthology series — one would be hard-pressed to find one show that features full storylines revolving around aliens, vampires, the Antichrist, and more. Continuing to make decisions like this could help American Horror Story last for years to come.