Is Grotesquerie Just Another American Horror Story?

As a movie aficionado with over three decades of viewing under my belt, I must say that the debut of “Grotesquerie” has certainly piqued my interest. The first two episodes, reminiscent of multiple seasons of “American Horror Story,” have managed to strike a chord in me that resonates deeply with my extensive horror-loving background.

In the opening episodes of “Grotesquerie”, a fresh series from executive producer Ryan Murphy on FX, we saw striking similarities to several seasons of “American Horror Story”. The presence of religious figures like nuns and priests, as well as the serial killer’s fascination with biblical references, reminded us of “American Horror Story: Asylum”, while the themes of cults and the impending apocalypse brought back memories of the “Cult” and “Apocalypse” seasons. Moreover, the graphic depictions of gruesome methods of torture and murder, which are common in all seasons of “American Horror Story” and a significant portion of Murphy’s television work, were also evident here.

Although “Grotesquerie” is set to premiere in the weeks approaching Halloween, which is typically when American Horror Story (AHS) seasons air, it’s important to note that “Grotesquerie” is not a new installment of the AHS anthology series. Instead, the 12th season of AHS, titled “Delicate,” was divided into two parts and concluded earlier this year. Therefore, “Grotesquerie,” along with multiple American Horror Stories debuting on October 15 on Hulu, are stepping in to fill a programming void that was created by the split season. To clarify any confusion, “Grotesquerie” is not a replacement for AHS, but it’s also fair to say that it is filling a similar role during this time. (AHS was renewed through a 13th season back in 2020, and another one is anticipated next year.) So, while “Grotesquerie” is not an AHS season replacement, it can be seen as fulfilling a comparable function.

The first few episodes of the show, “Grotesquerie,” have created a unique impression, although it’s premature to say if it will truly come together as a whole. Since critics haven’t had access to more episodes, we can only judge based on what’s been shown so far. Notably, “Grotesquerie” stands out as a police drama, with Detective Lois Tryon (portrayed by Niecy Nash-Betts) serving as the central character and our primary window into the show’s world. She’s tasked with uncovering the identity of the perpetrator behind the gruesome murder of a Christian family of four, as well as two similar crimes that followed. Lois is written in a familiar mold for modern crime dramas: she’s an alcoholic, workaholic, and obsessive who finds solace in her police work to avoid dealing with her personal life, which is plagued by the coma of her husband for nearly a month.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I must say that Grotesquerie seems to be following a mystery-solving path, deviating slightly from the usual American Horror Story formula. Interestingly enough, while most of the exceptional actors in this production have been part of Ryan Murphy’s projects – Evan Peters and Billie Lourd, for instance, were in Scream Queens and Monster; Courtney B. Vance, who plays my character’s husband, was in The People v. O.J. Simpson; Nicholas Chavez, a priest with an affinity for true crimes, was Lyle Menéndez in Monsters – none of them have starred in American Horror Story before. Lesley Manville, who portrays a nurse with a vintage hairdo and a rather unpleasant demeanor, bears a striking resemblance to Ratched’s cast, but she wasn’t part of it.

In essence, having Kelce on board seems reminiscent of the style seen in American Horror Story, given its history of incorporating high-profile actors. (For instance, Adam Levine in Asylum, Stevie Nicks in Coven and Apocalypse, Lady Gaga in Hotel and Roanoke, and Kim Kardashian in Delicate.) Interestingly, one of American Horror Story’s main strengths has always been its impressive acting performances, and Grotesqueri follows suit. The acting is notably strong, with Nash-Betts delivering a compelling portrayal of Lois that keeps her from slipping into a sea of stereotypes. Manville also shines, relishing the opportunity to embody a dominating, twisted caretaker.

Apart from being skillfully performed, “Grotesquerie” also shares traits similar to many Murphy productions by being intensely engaging and graphically intense from the start. However, whether it’s essential or not, considering we have three new Murphy-created series debuting in the next fortnight (American Sports Story, Monsters, Doctor Odyssey) and the return of another (9-1-1), is something that, like Travis Kelce’s future performance, still remains to be determined.

2024-09-26 22:54

Is Grotesquerie Just Another American Horror Story?

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