10 Most Disturbing American Horror Story Episodes

8. “Test Of Strength” – Season 4, Episode 7

American Horror Story Smouldering Children
FX

From a season titled ‘Freakshow’, you can expect your fair share of strange and disturbing content, but one episode, in particular, takes the freaky cake. Honourable mentions to episodes one and four, for their off-putting depictions of clown murder and snuff films respectively.

Season Four, Episode Seven of American Horror Story features an especially shocking act of inhumanity, not from any supposed ‘freaks’, but from a regular man who fears them. A young woman named Penny, who has taken a liking to the freaks and plans to abscond with them, comes home to retrieve her things. Upon arriving, she is greeted by her father who does the rational thing and forcibly tattoos her entire face and splits her tongue. On second thought, he might have gone a tad too far with that one.

That’s not all, as this episode also features strongman Dell Toledo commit a truly heinous act towards one of his fellow freaks. Grappling with the loss of his secret boyfriend, and tempted by an offer to earn a great sum of money, Toledo attempts to murder one of the freak citizens. After failing his first attempt, and getting beaten to a pulp, Toledo turns his attention to an easier target – Ma Petite. Watching Toledo snap the neck of this helpless tiny woman is agonizing, and not an image that will swiftly leave you.

Contributor
Contributor

Dan is a writer and actor originally from South Australia who now lives in a constant state of anxiety... and Los Angeles. Whether writing about movies, watching movies, or binging the Great British Bake-off, Dan approaches any endeavour with a steely resolve which is rivalled only by his ability to lie about his strengths. For professional inquiries, call Melissa Cropley - Dan's mum; she wishes he would call more often and you'd really be doing him a favour.