Top 10 Most HORRIFIC American Horror Story Characters

The series’ third season brought the horror to New Orleans, where a fictionalized version of this real-life voodoo priestess served as one of the season’s antagonists. The leader of New Orleans’ premiere voodoo coven, she does not hesitate to take revenge on those who cross her, particularly the woman responsible for her lover’s death. Her commitment to her craft knows no bounds, as her evil is exemplified by her yearly infant sacrifice to retain her immortality. A one-woman wrecking ball, she becomes enemies with nearly every character this season, and manages to manipulate, curse, or otherwise maim just about every witch in Louisiana.

This immature, spoiled, young rich man is much more psychotic than he seems. After idolizing Twisty, a clown serial killer, he continues his tradition of murder once he dies. With protection and money from his mother, he goes on a killing rampage fuelled by his obsession with conjoined twins Bette and Dot. He’s surprisingly charismatic, which makes him all the more dangerous for Elsa’s Cabinet of Curiosities. Few of the show’s villains have hit such a balance of being likeable and deplorable, and Finn Wittrock’s highly capable performance made him a viable asset to the series.

When psychiatrist Dr. Thredson appeared to be the only character this season with any sense, it was apparent that something was up. Of course, he turned out to be the most insane of them all, as he was Bloody Face, a serial killer with extreme mommy issues. After becoming the evil foil to our heroine, Lana Winters, the two begin a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse that continues even long after his death. As one of the series’ most shocking villain reveals, Zachary Quinto perfectly balanced the monstrosity of the serial killer with the kind vulnerability of the psychiatrist.

Jessica Lange’s first performance in the series still remains one of the show’s best. Constance is the nosy next-door neighbor of the murder house with a dark past tied to it. As an ex-resident, she’s aware of the ghosts in the house, two of which are her children, and she’ll do whatever it takes to get her way. Her children also made fantastic characters, with Adelaide as one of the standouts, but Constance’s ruthlessly cold, yet somehow warmly inviting nature made sure that the audience was never sure whose side she was on, though it was apparent the whole time: she was on a side of her own.

To begin with, the sweet and innocent Mary Eunice didn’t fit in with the “AHS” crowd, but then something got into her: the devil. The devil used his new vessel as a way to exacerbate the evil goings-on at Briarcliff, manipulating Dr. Arden, the Monsignor, and various patients to cause chaos. Lily Rabe also played the innocent Misty the following season, but the duality of this character’s evil and purity is what made this character a shoo-in for this list. In fact, she was so popular, she even returned for an episode in “Freak Show.”

“American Horror Story” has created some of its most terrifying characters from real-life psychopaths. This infamous New Orleans slave owner is known for her horrendous torture of her slaves, which, in the show’s universe, caused her to be cursed with immortality. Delphine LaLaurie has a hard time adjusting to the 21st century, which causes both comedic moments as well as some interesting insights on racism. Kathy Bates gives her most evil performance since “Misery,” and rightfully won a Primetime Emmy for it. This is probably among TV’s greatest head-only performances.

Not all of the series’ best characters are serial killers or evil witches. Case-in-point: Lana Winters, “Asylum’s” ultimate survivor. A lesbian who tried to uncover some of Briarcliff’s shady dealings, she was ultimately locked in the asylum as retribution, before being kidnapped by Bloody Face. Not one to be a victim, though, she manages to overcome an abundance of atrocities, including her obsessed killer and her insane son. Few characters in the show have gone through so much darkness and managed to hold onto their sense of morality, which makes Lana the show’s most fundamental final girl.

When Jessica Lange left the series after the fourth season, a gap was left that could only be filled with another superstar: enter Lady Gaga. Her Golden Globe-winning performance as The Countess sees her become a victim of a disease that grants immortality, but requires the victim to drink human blood. She finds her way into the dark glamour of the Hotel Cortez and manipulates her way to the top, becoming a woman of power and many enemies. Though a vicious killer, she’s not without her soft spots, particularly for her deformed son and hotel bartender Liz Taylor. Only Gaga herself could have pulled off such a stylish character, and surprise us all along the way.

At first, Tate simply seems like a disturbed young man, though the truth soon turns out to be much more sinister. He’s arguably the main villain of the series’ first iteration, as he is both directly and indirectly responsible for a number of character deaths. In life, he burned his stepfather alive before committing a massive school shooting in one of the series’ most disturbing scenes. Evan Peters’ layered performance even makes you almost feel sorry for the crazed kid, but the slow reveal of the true extent of his madness is one of the most compelling storylines in the show.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Cricket Marlowe
“American Horror Story: Roanoke” (2011-)

Liz Taylor
“American Horror Story: Hotel” (2011-)

Pepper
“American Horror Story: Asylum & Freak Show” (2011)

Jessica Lange was truly given the chance to shine when she took on the lead role in the series’ second outing. As Sister Jude, she begins the season ruling Briarcliff with an iron fist and cruelly punishing patients, though she begins to mentally spiral once her grim past comes back to haunt her and she slowly loses control. An anti-heroine in the truest sense, she at first appears to be the main villain before seeing the horrors of being an inmate and turning herself around. Complex characters like this are why we love “American Horror Story,” and its no wonder this nun took our top spot.

Do you agree with our list? Who’s your favorite character from “American Horror Story?” For more horrific top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.