10 unforgettable American Horror Story characters

American Horror Story: Murder House, episode: “Pilot;” screengrab via FX.

#5: Tate Langdon (AHS: Murder House)

Tate Langdon is a total fan favorite. His messy hair, quick wit, and disdain for the world and all its inhabitants are what draw Violet to him. There’s nothing more intriguing to a depressive teenager girl than an equally cynical teenage boy who says things like, “I kill people I like.” Though we can’t really blame her. His intense, mysterious, most likely a ghost but maybe just a lonely weirdo vibes are what kept us all paying attention.

The twists of season one are some of the series’ best, and Tate plays a major role in keeping us guessing. His allure is confusing, mostly because he’s sort of a villain, and his story is ultimately a tragic one. As his backstory unfolds and it becomes clearer just how much his personal history is eternally intermingled with the lore surrounding the Murder House, we get a fuller picture of the extent of his brokenness. Of course, our sympathy for his painful past doesn’t stop the fact that he’s a true terror in the present. But we almost forgive him, because as we come to learn, even ghosts have skeletons in their closets.

Next: #4: Sister Jude