Famed anthology series “American Horror Story” excites viewers for its potential to bring back the disturbing, the gory and disillusioning story lines illustrated in previous seasons.
“American Horror Story: Cult” premiered Sept. 5 and shows promise in terms of content, story-line and scare factor.
Creator Ryan Murphy keeps viewers guessing even after the theme for each season has been announced, and this season won’t be any different. While the title “Cult” gives something of a direction, after this first episode it’s clear there’s going to be more to the overall story. Ultimately, phobias such as coulrophobia and trypophobia seem to be a prevalent theme that will linger throughout the season.
In the opening credits, we see the return of the adored AHS theme song that was absent in season six. Copious amounts of blood, bees and beehives, clowns and other circus members, similar to season four, make for an all-encompassing phobia parade. It also includes a person wearing a mask of President Donald Trump.
The opening scenes show news footage of press conferences with Trump and Hillary Clinton as they announce they’re running for the U.S. presidency, as well as tumultuous riot footage when racial tensions reached a peek in American history. It soon shifts to different scenarios of people watching the 2016 election and their varying reactions.
Sarah Paulson’s character, Ally Mayfair-Richards, is horrified and screams obscenities when Trump is pronounced president while Evan Peters’ character, Kai Anderson, praises him.
Paulson and Peters’ characters are hyperbolically used to mock the stereotypical characteristics of Trump and Clinton supporters.
Peters’ character is aggressive and emphasizes the fear he claims humanity loves. Paulson’s character is neurotic and fixates on Trump’s election as the beginning of a new, darker world. Her disheveled appearance is overdone and she’s unable to participate in daily life as her intense phobias return.
Ultimately, Murphy seems to be using current events as a catalyst to incite fear and detestation in his world. This season, the most frightening thing is not ghosts, vampires or murderous people, but something inescapable — the human mind.
Murphy intentionally chose a character with a previous history of mental health issues, intense anxiety and phobias to make the viewer question her credibility. Through her, the mind is shown as a powerful agent to how fear affects the realities that human beings experience.
Paulson has been a member of the AHS cast since its inception, and has continued to play strong, relatable characters. However, Paulson’s emotional intensity can sometimes be overdone, seeming inauthentic, and can already be seen in this season.
Peters’ acting is dark, yet not overtly sickening. In “American Horror Story: Cult,” Peters displays a powerful maturity in this new role with a dark, warped intensity.
Billie Lourd as Winter Anderson displays a more vulnerable, intricate character. Winter is both manipulated by her brother Kai, and knows how to manipulate others. Lourd’s character is one people will love to hate, and has the potential to become a fan favorite.
It’s still unclear, but it seems this might be Alison Pill’s first role as a character with agency. Pill portrays Paulson’s character’s paramour, Ivy Mayfair-Richards in this season.
“American Horror Story” pushes the envelope, creating instances in which viewers are both disturbed and intrigued. “American Horror Story: Cult” examines the mind through violence and judgement, allowing for gory and explicit images of hyper-sexualized clowns and monsters. Thus far, the new season seems promising, and should give disgruntled viewers from previous seasons something to look forward to.
