We spent the evening in a real asylum to celebrate the release of ‘American Horror Story: Asylum’ on DVD

I’d never seen American Horror Story before, but in a creepy old asylum under the cover of dark was probably the perfect introduction. With each season exploring a self-contained storyline, the second takes place in an asylum, the Briarcliff Mental Institution for treatment and housing of the criminally insane. As you might have guessed from the title, American Horror Story will have you on edge, and as tense, dramatic and unnerving as any Hollywood horror, the show has real punch.

We delved into the first two episodes introducing the stern Sister Jude (Jessica Lange), in charge of the asylum, sadistic Dr. Arthur Arden (James Cromwell) and unwitting patients lesbian journalist Lana Winters (Sarah Paulson) and accused serial killer Kit Walker (Evan Peters). Though watching at home probably won’t match the experience at The Asylum, after two episodes I’m hooked, and after most of the new US fall shows turning me off after just 20 minutes, American Horror Story: Asylum comes highly recommended.

American Horror Story: Asylum is out now on Blu-ray and DVD.