The most obvious main villain of American Horror Story season 1 would be Tate Langdon, but the true antagonist of “Murder House” may have been a less obvious character. Every season of American Horror Story offers up a slew of sinister figures and dark villains, and that tradition began in the very first season. Portrayed by Evan Peters, Tate served as the primary force of evil in American Horror Story‘s Murder House season, committing acts of an unspeakably barbaric nature.

In American Horror Story season 8’s Apocalypse narrative, however, it was revealed that Tate only committed those bad deeds because dark forces possessed him to do so. These dark forces were heavily implied to be the Devil, but it would be unfair to call the Devil American Horror Story season 1’s main villain, as he wasn’t physically present. Because of this, there is only one character left to truly be considered the main force of evil in “Murder House.”

The Real Villain Of American Horror Story: Murder House Was Constance Langdon

Although She Meant Well, Constance Always Did The Wrong Thing

Constance was the nosy neighbor living next door to the Harmons, but she also used to live in the Murder House herself with Tate, her son. Constance did terrible things throughout American Horror Story season 1, and those acts ultimately led to the broader events of the season. Constance’s mistreatment of Tate as a child led to him finding Nora Montgomery and getting Vivian pregnant. As well as this, she killed her husband and Moria in cold blood after assuming them to be having an affair. Constance also knew that Tate was a ghost and the person in the rubber suit, but she stayed quiet.

The events of American Horror Story season 1 could have been avoided if Constance had simply told the Harmons that Tate was a ghost trapped in the house. Instead, she sat back and watched Tate assault Vivian, seduce Violet, and terrorize everyone by wearing the rubber suit. Furthermore, Constance did nothing while the house was being invaded, and even tried to poison Violet for getting close to Tate.

Constance also used to lock her daughter in a mirror closet, forcing her to look at herself for hours if she ever misbehaved. As well as the murders she committed and the kidnapping in the last episode of the season, it is evident that Constance Langdon was the real villain of American Horror Story: Murder House. Although Constance herself would likely justify her actions by explaining how she loved her family and her children and would do anything for them, it gradually became clear that the only person Constance cared about was herself.

The Lengths Constance Went To For Her Family Made Her AHS Season 1’s Real Villain

She Would Do Anything To Have The Perfect Family

The most important thing for Constance was staying true to family values. She believed this so much that when she caught her husband sexually assaulting the maid of the house, Moira O’Hara, she shot and killed them both after assuming they were having an affair. Even after she found out the truth, however, Constance continued to strongly resent Moria as a ghost, blaming her for breaking up the family. This shocking lack of remorse highlights how Constance’s obsessive attitude toward family made her a dangerous and malicious figure in American Horror Story‘s debut season.

Constance stood by her children in American Horror Story, even after Tate committed a mass school shooting. That continued after Tate was killed by the police, as Constance still aided his spirit, put him into therapy, and looked out for him. American Horror Story then ended with Constance kidnapping Vivian’s baby, fathered by Tate, because she believed so strongly in family values. Constance would do anything for her family, whether that be kidnapping a baby or murdering a maid, and the extent of the loyalty she showed towards her family was what defined her as a villain.

Constance’s Actions In Season 1 Were The True Cause Of American Horror Story Season 8’s Apocalypse

Constance Enabled Michael’s Evil Side, Just Like She Did With Tate

Constance returned in American Horror Story season 8, which revealed what happened when she raised Michael, the baby she kidnapped. Constance raised him as her grandson and tried to make up for mistakes made with her other children by giving into every request Michael had, letting him want for nothing. Unfortunately, this meant that Michael became a selfish, spoiled, uncaring person. In turn, Michael ultimately discovered his true identity as the Antichrist, after which he caused the apocalypse and killed almost every human on Earth.

Related

3 Years Later, I’m Surprisingly Glad Kathy Bates Was Replaced In American Horror Story’s 80% RT Season

In American Horror Story: Double Feature, Kathy Bates’ character was replaced with a different actor, and it made the character even better.

This means that Constance Langdon indirectly caused the apocalypse in American Horror Story season 8. Michael may have been the trigger, but everything traces back to Constance’s decisions and selfishness from American Horror Story‘s first season. Whether by enabling Tate, kidnapping his child, or spoiling Michael, Constance was a toxic presence, only ever concerned about her own psychological interests. Many people suffered due to her villainy, and the apocalypse in American Horror Story season 8 was simply the reaping of seeds Constance had sown long beforehand.

American Horror Story is a Horror Anthology series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. The franchise has seen stars like Connie Britton, Jessica Lange, Denis O’Hare, Zachary Quinto, Evan Peters, and Dylan McDermott. Each season follows a new premise and spans an array of horror genres like witches, ghosts, serial killers, and more.

Release Date

October 17, 2012

Seasons

12

Expand