‘American Horror Story’ Season 13 Review: Jessica Lange Returns in Beautifully Puzzling Ode to Superfans

The 13th season of "American Horror Story," titled simply "13," is arriving as something special, as it marks the return of fan favorite characters, including Jessica Lange, Angela Bassett, and Kathy Bates. These actors have each picked up Emmy nominations for their performances in previous seasons, and their return has created significant buzz for the new season.

However, the season has been a long time in the making, and as the first three episodes reveal, it seems that this season was written with superfans of the series in mind. For newcomers and casual viewers, the complex storytelling could leave them scratching their heads. The season opens with the perspective of Ben (Joey Pollari), a new character who has triskaidekaphobia, or the fear of the number 13.

He tries to rebuild his life after a traumatic plane crash, ultimately taking on a job as a hospice caregiver at a lavish NYC penthouse owned by Mr. Nas (Fedor Steer), an elderly man with a peculiar habit of vomiting black bile in the middle of the night. The introduction of Constance Langdon (Jessica Lange) as Nas's daytime caregiver immediately brings back memories of the first season.

Lange's performance is as good as ever, adding a touch of snark and humor to the show. As Ben spends more time with Mr. Nas and Constance, the story becomes even more bizarre, with ominous events and mysterious occurrences happening in the background. Twisty the Clown from "Freak Show" returns to massacre a Los Angeles clown school, and a suspicious news report reveals missing corpses of dead historical figures around the world.

The season also reunites the "Coven" witches, including Supreme Cordelia Goode (Sarah Paulson) and Madison Montgomery (Emma Roberts), offering fans a satisfying "surprise, bitch" moment reminiscent of the iconic GIF in 2013. With a mix of familiar faces and new characters, "13" is undoubtedly a season for veterans of the franchise.

However, it may leave newcomers and casual viewers confused by the complex storytelling and numerous elements introduced throughout the episodes. While the season is certainly ambitious and throws in a deep well of lore, it remains to be seen if it will all come together cohesively. For those who are die-hard fans, "13" is a must-watch, as it embraces the show's unique storytelling style and showcases the impressive talents of its ensemble cast.