Wir Sind Alle Freaks
Six days away from the beginning of the 4th season of American Horror Story. And with all the excitement that has been generated, it feels that the show will be more explosive than ever. Here is the opening sequence recently released.
So what do we know to expect from this season of our annual horror anthology? Let me count the ways:
1) Clowns scare people
Who can forget IT ? The movie horrified me from the novel to the miniseries version (see above) played by Tim Curry. I never thought that any clown could so personify coulrophobia then Stephen King’s Pennywise. I guess I was wrong (again). Move over Pennywise, looks like we will be having nightmares about a new clown named Twisty. The name seems fitting based on what you can make out from this screen shot below.
As seen in the trailers and spoiler posts, Twisty will be the next level of “clown horror.” As showrunner Ryan Murphy has already said in an interview with Buzzfeed, Twisty was created by the writers to be “the most terrifying clown of all time.” He went on to say, “I’m worried that people are going to have cardiac arrests…” That’s enough said in my view – if Murphy thinks it’s bad after the mutant experiments of AHS:Asylum, it’s got to be horrifying. I will be interested to see what Twisty the Clown does.
2) Auf Weidersehen, Frau Lange
According to the beloved actress, this will be her final curtain call, as she plays Elsa Mars, the eccentric purveyor of a sideshow in Jupiter, Florida. She is of German descent in post WWII America (connection to AHS:Asylum?). Will Jessica Lange’s character be good or bad? What horrific plans are in store for her? And most importantly, how will she be sent off? I am sure Murphy will want to make this season special for the actress, who has helped make the horror series more mainstream and popular than most shows in this genre. Of course series regulars like Evan Peters, Denis O’Hare, Frances Conroy, and Sarah Paulson will be providing their usual solid performances, while Emma Roberts, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, and Gabourey Sidibe will be returning from their outstanding performances in AHS:Coven. This cast with a few new faces (The Shield fans rejoice at the return of Michael Chiklis) should give Lange the sending off that she deserves.
3) We are all freaks
It is not just a clever hashtag on Twitter. What else is it referring to? The first thought that came to my mind was the original 1932 Tod Browning horror movie, Freaks. The memorable scene where they are all sitting around a banquet table, honoring the newest member of the family.
“We accept you, one of us! Gooble Gooble”
Could this movie be a small window into what the storyline in AHS: Freak Show? The ideas of acceptance, acknowledgement of differences, and equality seem to all fit in here. By saying we are all freaks, we are bringing unity to the differences that sometimes divide us. Knowing the history of AHS I’m sure this idea will be on display. Another more horrific lesson from the movie Freaks – once you’re accepted, you can never leave. Our new characters will surely make mistakes and learn dire lessons as to why you don’t mess with your “freak family.” I would recommend to anyone before October 8th to watch the movie. I think it will prove to be a good warm up to the season premiere of AHS: Freak Show.
So in closing, we see there are several exciting things to look forward to this season. The only thing left is to be glued to the television or computer screen on October 8th at 9c/10e on FX and see what Mr. Murphy has planned for us this Halloween season.
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