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The Ending Of American Horror Story Season 7 Explained

Rather than relying on the supernatural to scare viewers, Season 7 of “American Horror Story” tapped into more visceral fears: politics. Airing less than a year after the divisive 2016 U.S. presidential election, “Cult” was a timely, terrifying season rife with social and political buzzwords like “triggered,” “snowflake,” and “mansplaining.”

The season is set in a Michigan community where many members are reeling from the election of Donald Trump, including the anxious Ally Mayfair-Richards (Sarah Paulson), who spirals out of control on election night. Meanwhile, Kai Anderson (Evan Peters), an aspiring cult leader, capitalizes on public rage and paranoia to begin a movement called Fear Is Truth.

By the finale, entitled “Great Again,” Ally has pulled off a series of twists that allowed her to kill her backstabbing wife Ivy (Alison Pill), gain custody of their son, infiltrate Kai’s cult, take them down via the FBI, and begin a successful political career.

Despite the heavy criticism, which often alleged tone-deafness and poor timing, “AHS: Cult” was nominated for seven Emmy Awards. Between the killer clowns, generalized politics, and various niche phobias, Season 7 of “American Horror Story” exists as a warped time capsule of a complicated year.

Let’s unpack the season finale.