'Love Story' Is Actually a Horror Story

'Love Story' Is Actually a Horror Story

From Cannonball with Wesley Morris by The New York Times

March 26, 2026 · 35 min

About this episode

'Love Story' is analyzed as a horror story within the context of 90s nostalgia and modern cultural obsessions.

The latest from the Ryan Murphy television fun house is an unquestionable hit. It’s also a ’90s nostalgia bomb. People are trying to eat, shop and dress like John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. They’re obsessed. But with what, exactly? Because at first, “Love Story” has all the hallmarks of a ’90s sitcom — a young working woman in the city, enjoying her freedom till a meet-cute with the one. Only in Murphy’s version, that’s the moment this turns into another one of his American Horror stories. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

People in this episode

Host: Wesley Morris

Topics covered

  • television
  • 90s nostalgia
  • horror
  • romantic comedy
  • cultural commentary

Keywords

  • Love Story
  • Ryan Murphy
  • 90s sitcom
  • horror story
  • nostalgia
  • John F. Kennedy Jr.
  • Carolyn Bessette

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Ryan Murphy, The New York Times

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