American Horror Stories Season 4: Leprechaun Ending Explained

The following contains spoilers from American Horror Stories Season 4, Episode 4, “Leprechaun,” now streaming on Hulu

American horror storiesThe “Leprechaun” episode ends on a bittersweet and tragic note. The anthology series delves into different corners of the horror universe, shifting focus from episode to episode. “Leprechaun” takes the show to a small town that seems to be collapsing. Since there is hardly any work to be found, four young men have no connection to them American horror stories' Other characters decide they can steal their way to riches. However, her bank robbery ultimately puts her on the menu of a version of the leprechaun that is a far cry from the version most people associate with folklore.

Instead, “Leprechauns” portrays the creatures as an insidious and long-lived factor in the city, luring people into terrible fates so they can feed on their blood. Even though the episode takes on a darkly funny tone for much of the episode, the story develops into a tragic twist that gives its actions an emotional note. This is how “leprechauns” monsters compare to others American horror stories Monsters and how it reflects the costs that greed can impose on both humans and monsters.

What Happens to the Eastie Boys in American Horror Stories: Leprechaun

The Eastie Boys can't make it out of “Leprechaun.”

The Eastie Boys are the unfortunate souls who find themselves targeted by the titular leprechauns In American horror stories Season 4, with none of the four surviving. Colin, Liam, Finn and Declan plan a robbery at a local bank. Colin is the most likable of the group, as he is an unemployed welder desperately trying to provide for his partner Hailey and their soon-to-be-born daughter. However, the promise of gold in the bank is secretly part of a lure created by a series of goblins who immigrated to the United States centuries earlier.

Although Declan is not killed on screen, it is likely that he suffered the same fate as Liam and Finn. These two are both trapped by a goblin in the tunnels beneath the shore, with the scaly creature biting their necks and sucking their blood. This is also how Colin dies, although he is killed in a far more personal matter. When she discovers that Hailey is a “half-breed” goblin who is aware of the conspiracy to lure the townspeople to their doom, Colin doesn't fight back when his theft of the gold leaves him vulnerable to a reluctant Hailey's bloodlust.

Hailey's connection to the goblins in American horror stories, explained

Hailey has a big secret that leads to Colin being killed

Hailey's status as a “half-breed” goblin makes her seem more human than the rest of her species. She even mentions to Colin before she kills him that she requires significantly less blood than the “elders” of her race. Since Hailey is a goblin and is connected to the forces that seem to control the local town, it explains why she was so hesitant to move away with Colin at the beginning of the episode.

Related

American Horror Stories Season 4 finally ends a 28-year horror series following the $173 million classic

The fourth season of American Horror Stories stars an actor who hasn't appeared in a horror project since one of the biggest slashers of the 1990s.

However, it is clear that Hailey and Colin's relationship is genuine, suggesting that Hailey is not removed from humanity. In fact, she seems to make real friends as a result and even chats casually with her colleague Martin on the day of the attack. Her genuine grief over Colin's death proves that she has a sense of humanitybut his decision to steal the goblin's gold makes him one of the few people they can actually feed on. This gives “Leprechaun” a truly tragic tone.

Why the goblins in American horror stories are monsters: Leprechaun

The goblins aren't as cute as lucky charms would have you believe

Goblins are the central threat in “Leprechaun,” with it later revealed that the mythical creatures feed on the blood of humans. The leprechauns, originally from Ireland, were forced to follow suit by the famines that drove many people from that island to the United States. These goblins have nothing to do with the typical images of the creatures, and the episode even highlights the difference between the two. The episode repositions them as monstrous beings who can assume a human form, but secretly has a far more scaly and monstrous body with claw-like nails and rows of sharp teeth.

Notably, the goblins in “Leprechaun” are not treated as an invasive species or an overwhelming force. According to Hailey, The goblins have spent centuries feeding on blood in America of those with “greed in their hearts.” They cannot attack innocent people, although they can lure relatively good people into their clutches by dangling riches in front of them. This is ultimately Colin's fate, as he is a good man whose “greed” comes from the bottom of his heart. It makes the goblins fearsome in varying doses, but differs from the overwhelming malevolence of some of them American horror stories' other creatures and murderers.

The True Meaning of American Horror Stories: Leprechaun

The very real price of greed

American horror stories“Leprechauns” is a quietly tragic episode of the anthology serieswhich highlights the consequences of greed. Although all four Eastie Boys have different motivations, they are ultimately all driven by envy and greed. While Liam and Finn are the most obvious in their desire for wealth, Colin and Declan want to provide for their family and each want to be more accepted. Their motivations still lead them to steal and stand in the way of the monstrous creatures. The episode's themes revolve around the cost of greed, even when the motivation is pure.

Related

American Horror Stories Season 4: Clone Cast & Character Guide

The American Horror Stories Season 4 episode “Clone” brings back some Murphyverse talent along with familiar actors and new talent.

Even the goblins are greedy to some degreeconstantly looking for people's blood as a source of food. Although there are rules for how they can deal with it, Haily's explanation to Colin shows that they are not afraid to make people become vulnerable. While they may survive, their greed clearly comes with a deadly cost, which Hailey feels firsthand by the end of the episode. American horror storiesThe “Leprechaun” story is one of the most overtly tragic of the season thanks to Hailey’s defeat at the end.

The creators of American Horror Story are reuniting to launch American Horror Stories, a horror anthology series created for FX and Hulu. Revolving around a new, unique horror story each episode, AHS follows various new characters in each episode as they experience their own horrific stories, often supernatural tales.

Pour

Sierra McCormick, Paris Jackson, Merrin Dungey, Matt Bomer, Naomi Grossman, John Carroll Lynch, Charles Melton, Billie Lourd

Release date

July 15, 2021

Seasons

2

Streaming service(s)

Hulu

Franchise(s)

American horror story

Expand