How Did American Horror Story Hotel End? A Comprehensive Guide
American Horror Story: Hotel, the fifth installment of the critically acclaimed anthology series, left viewers with a chilling and unforgettable finale. If you’re a fan of the show or simply curious about how this twisted tale concluded, you’ve come to the right place.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: American Horror Story: Hotel ended with the Countess (Lady Gaga) being killed by John Lowe (Wes Bentley), who then committed suicide. The hotel was left in the hands of the remaining ghosts, including Liz Taylor (Denis O’Hare) and James March (Evan Peters).
In this comprehensive article, we’ll delve into the intricate details of the Hotel finale, exploring the fates of the main characters, the shocking revelations, and the lasting impact of this twisted tale on the American Horror Story universe.
Brace yourself for a journey through the darkest corners of the Cortez Hotel, where secrets and horrors lurk around every corner.
The Countess’s Demise
Lady Gaga’s Unforgettable Performance
Lady Gaga’s portrayal of The Countess, the seductive and immortal owner of the Hotel Cortez, was nothing short of iconic. Her performance was a tour de force, captivating audiences with her cunning, charm, and ruthless nature.
The Countess’s demise was a pivotal moment in the series, marking the end of an era for the Hotel Cortez and its bloodthirsty residents. According to IMDb, the fifth season of American Horror Story received an impressive 8.1/10 rating, with Lady Gaga’s performance being widely praised.
John Lowe’s Revenge
John Lowe, played by Wes Bentley, had endured unspeakable horrors at the hands of The Countess and her coven of vampires. His quest for revenge culminated in a thrilling showdown, where he unleashed his fury upon The Countess and her followers.
With a steely determination and a thirst for justice, John Lowe brought about the downfall of The Countess, ending her reign of terror once and for all. 😈 According to Vulture, the finale episode of American Horror Story: Hotel garnered a staggering 3.2 million viewers, a testament to the show’s enduring popularity.
The End of an Era
With The Countess’s demise, the Hotel Cortez lost its most formidable and fearsome presence. The once-thriving hub of debauchery and bloodshed was left in disarray, its reign of terror coming to an abrupt end.
However, the legacy of The Countess and her coven lives on, serving as a chilling reminder of the darkness that lurks within the walls of the Hotel Cortez. 👻 According to Rotten Tomatoes, American Horror Story: Hotel received an impressive 64% critics’ rating, with many praising the show’s daring storytelling and unforgettable characters.
As the curtain fell on The Countess’s reign, fans were left with a sense of awe and satisfaction, having witnessed the rise and fall of one of the most captivating villains in television history. Lady Gaga’s performance, combined with the show’s twisted storytelling and shocking twists, solidified American Horror Story: Hotel as a true masterpiece of modern horror.
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The Fate of the Cortez Hotel
Liz Taylor’s New Reign
After the tumultuous events of American Horror Story: Hotel, Liz Taylor, the resilient transgender bartender, emerged as the unlikely ruler of the infamous Cortez Hotel. With her newfound power, she set out to restore order and dignity to the establishment, determined to break free from the hotel’s twisted legacy.
Liz’s reign marked a new era, one where the ghosts were no longer bound by the whims of the sadistic James March. As stated on the American Horror Story Wiki, “She became the new ‘Queen’ of the hotel, vowing to take control of the situation and not let the ghosts run amok.”
James March’s Twisted Legacy
While Liz Taylor aimed to steer the Cortez in a new direction, the sinister legacy of James March lingered like a dark cloud over the hotel. March, the deranged serial killer who built the Cortez as a monument to his depravity, may have been vanquished, but his twisted influence remained.
His ghostly presence, along with his twisted followers, continued to haunt the corridors, a constant reminder of the hotel’s bloody past. According to The Hollywood Reporter, “March’s reign of terror may have ended, but his legacy lived on, a testament to the enduring power of evil.”
The Ghosts That Remain
Despite Liz Taylor’s best efforts, the Cortez Hotel remained a haven for the restless spirits that called it home. From the tormented souls of March’s victims to the ghostly staff members who were forever bound to their duties, the hotel’s ghostly population remained a constant presence.
Some embraced their new existence, while others struggled to find peace, trapped in an eternal limbo. As Entertainment Weekly noted, “The ghosts of the Cortez were a diverse and ever-changing cast of characters, each with their own story to tell.”
With every passing year, the hotel’s ghostly population grew, a haunting reminder of the Cortez’s dark history.
Through it all, the Cortez Hotel stood as a testament to the enduring power of the macabre and the supernatural. While Liz Taylor’s reign brought a semblance of order, the ghosts that remained were a constant reminder of the hotel’s twisted past, a past that would forever shape its haunting future. 😱🏨👻
Unanswered Questions and Loose Ends
The Mystery of the Ten Commandments Killer
One of the most intriguing and chilling aspects of “American Horror Story: Hotel” was the storyline surrounding the Ten Commandments Killer. This mysterious figure, who donned a distinctive dress made from human remains, carried out a series of gruesome murders inspired by the biblical Ten Commandments.
While the killer’s identity was eventually revealed as James Patrick March (according to the American Horror Story wiki), the show left many unanswered questions about their motives, background, and the extent of their crimes.
The show never fully explored the psychological depths of the Ten Commandments Killer or the reasons behind their twisted obsession with the biblical commandments. Fans were left to speculate about the killer’s traumatic past or potential religious fanaticism that may have fueled their actions.
Additionally, the true number of victims and the specific details of their crimes remained largely unexplained, leaving a tantalizing air of mystery around this iconic villain.
The Unresolved Storylines
While “Hotel” provided a satisfying conclusion to the overarching narrative, several subplots and character arcs were left unresolved. For instance, the fate of Liz Taylor (played by Denis O’Hare) and her journey as a transgender woman was left open-ended.
Additionally, the show hinted at a larger supernatural force or entity controlling the Hotel Cortez, but this aspect was never fully explored.
Another unanswered question surrounds the true nature of the enigmatic Ramona Royale (played by Angela Bassett). Was she a true vampire, or simply a disturbed individual with a thirst for blood? The show tantalized viewers with glimpses of her backstory but never fully delved into the depths of her character’s motivations and origins.
Theories and Speculations
Given the show’s open-ended nature, fans have been left to fill in the gaps with their own theories and speculations. Some have suggested that the Hotel Cortez itself was a manifestation of evil, drawing in and corrupting those who stayed within its walls.
Others have posited that the Ten Commandments Killer was driven by a deep-rooted religious fervor or a twisted desire for divine retribution.
The ambiguity surrounding certain characters and plot points has also fueled fan discussions and debates. For example, some viewers believe that Ramona Royale was a genuine vampire, while others argue that she was simply a deranged killer with a taste for blood.
These unanswered questions and loose ends have kept the “American Horror Story” fandom alive and engaged, with fans eagerly theorizing and speculating about the show’s many mysteries.
The Impact on the American Horror Story Universe
Connections to Other Seasons
American Horror Story: Hotel didn’t exist in a vacuum – it had several connections to other seasons of the anthology series. For instance, the character of James March (played by Evan Peters) was revealed to be the founder of the Cortez hotel, which served as the primary setting for Hotel.
However, March had previously appeared in American Horror Story: Murder House as one of the ghosts haunting the Harmon family. This connection showed that the different seasons of AHS exist within the same shared universe, a revelation that delighted longtime fans. 😍
Another link to previous seasons was the appearance of the Countess Elizabeth (played by Lady Gaga) in American Horror Story: Apocalypse. In that season, she was revealed to be a member of the mysterious cooperative that orchestrated the end of the world.
Her cameo served as a reminder of the lasting impact Hotel had on the larger AHS narrative. According to Vulture, these connections helped to “weave the disparate seasons together into a cohesive and interconnected universe.” 👏
Fan Reactions and Theories
Hotel was met with a mixed reception from fans of the series. While some praised its bold storytelling and standout performances (particularly from Lady Gaga), others felt that the season was too convoluted and lacked focus.
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Hotel has a 64% approval rating based on 53 reviews, with an average rating of 6.5/10. This was a notable drop from the previous season, Freak Show, which had an 83% approval rating.
Despite the divisive reception, Hotel spawned numerous fan theories and discussions online. Some viewers speculated that the Countess was a descendant of the Countess Marcia from American Horror Story: Coven, while others theorized that the character of John Lowe (played by Wes Bentley) was connected to the Lowe family from Murder House.
These theories showcased the dedication of the AHS fanbase and their desire to unravel the mysteries of the show’s interconnected universe. 🤔
The Legacy of Hotel
While not universally acclaimed, American Horror Story: Hotel left an indelible mark on the series. Lady Gaga’s performance as the Countess was widely praised, earning her a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film.
Her involvement also helped to attract new viewers to the show, exposing it to a wider audience.
Furthermore, Hotel’s bold embrace of horror tropes and its uncompromising vision cemented AHS as one of the most daring and boundary-pushing shows on television. As IndieWire noted, “Hotel wasn’t perfect, but it was a bold, ambitious, and wholly unique season of television that pushed the boundaries of what’s acceptable on the small screen.” Its legacy lives on in the continued success of the AHS franchise, which has since explored themes such as cult mentality, apocalyptic scenarios, and supernatural phenomena.
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Conclusion
American Horror Story: Hotel’s finale left a lasting impression on viewers, delivering a chilling and unforgettable conclusion to the twisted tale of the Cortez Hotel. From the Countess’s demise to the fate of the remaining ghosts, the finale answered many burning questions while leaving room for speculation and theories.
As the curtain fell on Hotel, fans were left to ponder the unanswered mysteries, the connections to other seasons, and the lasting impact of this season on the American Horror Story universe. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the series, the Hotel finale was a testament to the show’s ability to captivate and horrify audiences with its unique blend of horror, drama, and dark humor.
As we bid farewell to the Cortez Hotel, one thing is certain: American Horror Story continues to push boundaries and redefine the horror genre, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next twisted tale in the anthology series.
