Description
Set in the year 2015, the season follows the strange and dangerous happenings that seem to center around the retro Hotel Cortez in downtown Los Angeles, California
Initially built as a secret torture chamber to fulfill the violent desires of founder James Patrick March (Evan Peters)
Detective John Lowe (Wes Bentley) arrives at the hotel, based on intel from an anonymous tip, to investigate a grisly string of murders, each of which exemplify a sin in violation of one of the Ten Commandments
He has become estranged from his wife Alex (Chloe Sevigny), who suffers from depression, and his daughter Scarlett (Shree Crooks), after the disappearance of their son Holden (Lennon Henry)
As the season unfolds, the Lowes discover that the disappearance of Holden may be related to the strange activities at the hotel, lead by the centuries-old, bloodthirsty vampire Elizabeth
Known to others simply as the Countess (Lady Gaga), and her current lover and heroin addict Donovan (Matt Bomer)
Throughout his investigation, John also becomes entangled with a mysterious heroin junkie named Sally (Sarah Paulson), as well as the ghost of James March, who is looking for a protege to continue the violent acts he started when he was alive
The hotel's tireless staff includes the surly front desk manager Iris (Kathy Bates), Donovan's mother who took the job to be close to her son, and perceptive transgender bartender Liz (Denis O'Hare), both of whom hesitantly cater to the Countess and her homicidal tendencies
The Countess's relationship with Donovan becomes troubled with the arrival of male model heartthrob Tristan (Finn Wittrock), New York fashion designer and potential purchaser of the hotel Will Drake (Cheyenne Jackson)
And her former scorned lover and actress Ramona Royale (Angela Bassett), all of whom become entangled in her hedonistic, violent lifestyle
This season mostly deals with addiction, with other themes including sexuality, insanity, revenge, debauchery, religion, sin, drug use, forgiveness, and death