Best fan theories on the finale of ‘American Horror Story: Apocalypse’

Major spoilers for American Horror Story: Apocalypse lie ahead. 

With just two episodes left in the season, American Horror Story: Apocalypse is rapidly approaching its own doomsday—and its characters have a lot of ground to cover before delivering a worthy finale.

Ever since the coven’s victorious Episode 3 return, fans have been eagerly awaiting a witches vs. Satan, Cordelia vs. Michael showdown. The outcome of this fight to the finish will have implications of biblical proportion for the entire AHS multiverse. 

Naturally, fans are taking sides.

The promising cooperation of Voodoo Queen Dinah Stevens in Episode 7 seemed to tilt the scales in the coven’s favor. (And that’s a good thing for, you know, humanity.)

But, then again, this preview post made by Ryan Murphy—seemingly depicting the Antichrist chilling out in a vat of blood—doesn’t necessarily bode that well for them. (And that’s a good thing for fans of Cody Fern. And fashionably ripped jeans.)

Despite the latest (and surprisingly dull) Halloween episode’s lack of information, fans still have plenty of details to work with when making their finale predictions. And, oh Dark Lord, have they come up with some doozies. 

Here are the internet’s best theories on the impending clash and its victor, broken down by side advantage.

Theories that help out Team Antichrist

1. Michael has a bunch of witch spies at his disposal

This theory is pretty heartbreaking, but sadly also totally possible. 

Queenie, Madison, and Misty springing back from the dead like fresh daisies is a little too convenient. Of course, we wanted/needed/begged for their return. But, a one-way ticket out of Hell and into some fabulous black fashion could make anyone deal with the devil.

If there is a witchy sleeper cell working for Team Antichrist, then that could mean anything from a surprise Cordelia assassination to mind control over the entire coven. Either way, it tilts the scales heavily in Michael’s favor and means almost certain doom for everyone above ground.

2. Murder House ghosts will come in with the assist

Episode 6’s return to Murder House revealed that the Harmons have, in large part, totally severed their ties with Michael—so it’s unlikely that they will be motivated by familial affection to help him out. However, Michael’s powers could persuade them into assisting his fight against the coven anyway. 

We know that Michael can fully extinguish souls (RIP that nice lesbian couple) and, more than likely, lift residential curses. Meaning, Michael could offer to end the suffering of the Murder House ghosts by either terminating their existence or unleashing them onto the world, free to haunt wherever. 

If the ghosts did help out Michael, what would that look like? 

Well, obviously there’s strength in numbers. But, more importantly, Murder House conceals an open gateway to Hell; if opened, that could mean the addition of demons and fallen angels to Michael’s battle royale arm. Fingers crossed for a “Night On Bald Mountain” vibe.

3. Coco will discover that Mallory caused the apocalypse

Wait, wait. Is Mallory the Antichrist?

It has been established that Coco can, in some capacity, sense danger. So far, that has mostly applied to her being a supernatural nutritionist. But, it could have much bigger implications for the series.

If Mallory isn’t who she claims to be, then Coco may be able to sense that before things go too awry; but evil Mallory still poses some major problems.

There isn’t really a solid case to be made for Mallory being a Satanist; most supporters of this theory seem to be chalking up the suspicion to a gut feeling.

However, when you consider Billie Lourd’s wild dynamic with her brother in American Horror Story: Cult, you do start to get some siblings from The Devil’s Advocate vibes. And, honestly, just knowing that she could crush this twist is more than good enough for me. 

Twists that champion Team Coven 

1. Mallory is an angel/goddess/Jesus and Coco is the next Supreme

This theory has been floating around for a while, but—given this season’s unusual time structure—the narrative has yet to fully confirm or deny its veracity. 

Mallory’s powers of resurrection and (possibly) time manipulation make her one hell of a next Supreme. But, they could also point to her being something greater than a witch. Fan speculation has ranged from Mallory being the anti-Antichrist to an alien goddess. Regardless, most options make her a major ringer for Team Coven. 

But, if Mallory isn’t the next Supreme, then who is? Assuming Cordelia is in fact dying (more on that later), the Supreme spot could be filled by any number of the witches. Most fans, however, are pointing to Coco. 

The past few episodes revealed Coco’s steadily growing powers. And, assuming Murphy and co. aren’t just setting up a major plot dangler, that’s headed somewhere. 

Here’s hoping that whatever Coco can do is helpful. 

2. Cordelia is going to take the coven back in time to stop the apocalypse

If you’re rooting for a witchy victory at the end of Apocalypse, I suggest hardcore banking on this theory.

The seemingly non-linear structure of this season’s reveals (more on that later) has left some major questions for viewers. Namely, when Coco, Mallory, and Dinah awoke following that vomity Episode 3 massacre, what was the real motivator behind Cordelia’s identity spell? Why keep Coco and Mallory from knowing their true selves? 

A number of Twitter users speculate that the identity spell was used to help enable Mallory and the other witches to go back in time to undo the apocalypse. The reason behind keeping them in the dark is still a bit unclear, but this theory does fill a pretty major plot hole. 

Mallory’s perceived ability to turn back time could take us to before nuclear war, where the witches could try their hands at international diplomacy. 

Or, perhaps she can take us even further. Say, before Michael even existed?

Rumors surrounding the return of Murder House cast members for the Apocalypse season finale have some fans speculating that the coven will go back to before the events of Murder House to prevent Tate and Vivien from ever conceiving Michael. 

This would obviously mean triumph for the coven (and for Vivien). But, it would come at the cost of undoing one of the series’ most beloved seasons. Decisions, decisions. 

3. Cordelia isn’t dying; she’s pregnant

This is the kind of fan service I live for. 

Coven fans will remember all too well Cordelia’s heartbreaking struggle with infertility in Season 3. Her loving nature and fondness for children led to her particularly maternal stance as Supreme, calling the members of the coven “my girls” and encouraging a weirdly high number of group hugs. 

Cordelia definitely isn’t in tiptop shape for Season 8, but that doesn’t necessarily mean she is getting usurped. Instead, she could finally be pregnant.  

As a few Twitter users noted, Cordelia has a “weird sore on her belly” and has been described as having a “condition.” It’s all pretty vague, but could point to Cordelia being a-okay and with child.  

Knowing the AHS-verse, if there is a baby on the way, then that comes with consequences. Hopefully, those consequences help out mommy and her witch friends.

And a few wild cards that could mean anything

1. Apocalypse‘s Adam and Eve are actually Asylum‘s alien babies

If you’re well-versed in American Horror Story‘s second season, you likely remember Kit Walker‘s two alien children. 

One Redditor contends that the two mystical babies are back for Apocalypse in the form of Timothy and Emily, pointing out the children’s obvious physical similarities as well as the following: 

“In Asylum the Aliens are shown to communicate with humans through static and electronic interference, usually in the lights but with radio and TV interference as well. Now this appears less refined in Asylum, but presumably the aliens have been watching over their experiments, and human culture, for over 60 years since then. The first song we hear on the radio is about interplanetary messages and the next we hear is about a new morning and being rescued. Thus the aliens informing Emily and Timothy that someone is coming for them.”

If true, then this development would send the whole season into a bizarre tailspin. And, honestly, I’m cool with that. 

But, the incest? Yikes.

2. Timothy is the Alpha

Michael may not have been the long-awaited Supreme warlock, but that doesn’t necessarily mean “the Alpha” is out of the game. 

If you opt to believe Timothy and Emily aren’t Kit’s alien babies, then that “special DNA” must mean something else. Perhaps it points to a new Supreme as well as a new Alpha, previously unknown to the coven.

It’s unlikely, but also equality for warlocks is worth fighting for… I guess?

3. All of this links back to Lady Gaga in Roanoke 

Is this an elaborate fan theory or just some Gaga-centric wishful thinking? I don’t know; make it both!

Season 6 introduced AHS fans to Scáthach aka “The Witch of the Woods” aka the very first Supreme of Cordelia’s coven. 

Played by Lady Gaga, the immortal witch plays a major role in Roanoke. Erring on the side of viciously terrifying, Scáthach decides the fates of many and exists as a haunting presence capable of serious destruction and soul collection. All in all, she’s awesome. 

Unfortunately, theories surrounding Scáthach’s return are not only wildly speculative, but also really unlikely. (Lady Gaga is not slated to appear in Apocalypse and the addition of such a major character in the last two episodes could be needlessly confusing.)

That being said, Scáthach does canonically fit into this season’s natural course and—if given proper screen time—has the potential to decide the fight between our witches and the Antichrist.  

4. We have yet to see the real apocalypse

Papa Legba: bless this, Redditor.

Many fans have speculated that nuclear fallout (courtesy of Evan Peters’ and Billy Eichner’s bowl cut buddies) cannot be the true end of the AHS-verse. I mean, if the devil was truly at work, then wouldn’t the end of days be flashier? With more plagues and fiery hellscapes? Maybe some flying monkeys? 

In other words, fans are wondering: have we really seen the apocalypse of Apocalypse?

Redditor agoodleatherjacket sought to answer this question through a massive timeline investigative. I cannot do the original post justice, so you’ll have to take a look for details; but, the TL;DR is that a second, more serious apocalypse is en route to Season 8’s final two episodes.

Seriously, just look at that post. There are flow charts.