" Checking In ," the season five premiere of American Horror Story: Hotel , is a visually stunning, ultra-violent, and decadent return to form that successfully resets the anthology's atmosphere after the more campy Freak Show .
Critics at the time, such as those at Rotten Tomatoes , praised the episode's "ambitious aesthetics" but noted the "style over substance" approach common in Murphy's premieres. While The A.V. Club highlighted the episode's extreme gore and sexual content, many fans found the shift toward "horror-glamour" to be a refreshing evolution for the series. [S5E1] Checking In
The episode is a masterclass in production design. The , inspired by the real-life Cecil Hotel and H.H. Holmes' "Murder Castle," is a character in itself. With its Art Deco interiors, endless labyrinthine hallways, and oppressive gold-and-red palette, it creates a sense of claustrophobic dread. Director Ryan Murphy uses wide-angle lenses and dizzying tracking shots to emphasize the building's unsettling geometry. The Arrival of Lady Gaga " Checking In ," the season five premiere
Plays the "straight man" detective investigating a series of gruesome Ten Commandments-inspired murders, providing a grounded noir element to the supernatural chaos. Club highlighted the episode's extreme gore and sexual
Delivers a grim, weary performance as the front desk manager, trapped by her devotion to her son, Donovan (Matt Bomer). Critical Reception
Immediately stands out as the hotel’s bartender, offering a soulful and witty performance that becomes the heart of the season.