By PORTER STAGGERS/ Staff Writer
The 12th season of the iconic horror anthology series American Horror Story released its first episode Wednesday, Sept. 20th. Starring Emma Roberts, Kim Kardashian and Cara Delevingne, the season is entitled American Horror Story: Delicate.
After multiple failed attempts of IVF, actress Anna Victoria Alcott wants nothing more than to start a family. As the buzz around her recent film grows, she fears that something may be targeting her – and her pursuit of motherhood. Written by Halley Feiffer; directed by Jessica Yu. – Season 12 synopsis, courtesy of FX Networks
Leading up to the premier of season 12, online chatter has exploded about the cast of the latest entry in the anthology series. Many anticipated the return of series staple Emma Roberts, but many have also questioned the casting decision for series newcomer Kim Kardashian. Some felt that she was not a good enough actress to lead a drama of this caliber, while others felt that she should be given a chance to prove herself.
After reaching massive commercial and critical success in its earlier years, AHS has slowly lost much of its acclaim over the years. Even devoted fans have lost faith in the show’s ability to provide adequate storytelling. But with all this drama and speculation leading up to the premier, were the doubters warranted in their fears about the first episode?
After viewing the first episode, I can confidently say that, although I have a few issues with it, I really enjoyed the first episode. As a fan of the series, I was eagerly anticipating the release of Delicate. Roberts is one of my favorite recurring cast members, and I was excited to see her lead another season after the lackluster American Horror Story: 1984. As of the first episode, Roberts is absolutely delivering as promised to lead the season. Her portrayal of Anna Victoria Alcott is different from her previous roles in the series; Anna is much more subdued and kind-hearted, and Roberts excels in delivering this to the audience.
The first episode had a dreamlike vibe to it, as Anna is taken in and out of anesthesia while also suffering from hallucinations and haunting dreams. The tone and overall aesthetic of this season feels different from most other AHS seasons, since it takes a more sleek and modern aesthetic. Although it fits the vibe of the season, the more modern quality of the cinematography robs the new season of the classic grimy, grungy aesthetic of the earlier seasons.
Surprisingly, the season did not start off with a lot of straightforward horror elements. Instead, it relied primarily on warping Anna’s perception of reality and displaying her growing anxieties over managing aspects of her life. The writing also provides commentary on issues surrounding women’s health during pregnancy, as her male doctor ignores her comments of pain and talks more to her husband than to her about the details of her health. Anna’s husband, Dex, also undermines Anna’s own feelings of inadequacy by saying that her issues of fertility “affect everyone.”
The main mysteries of the season are, “who are the mysterious women that Anna keeps seeing?” “Is Anna losing touch on reality?” “Why does the new artist look identical to Dex’s deceased ex-wife?” Each of these mysteries are cleverly presented, and I am looking forward to figuring out each one.
However, the biggest question going into the series was, “How is Kim Kardashian going to do in her role?” Kardashian has had limited acting experience before this show, and many felt that she had landed the role simply because of her celebrity status. After viewing her performance in the first episode, however, I was pleasantly surprised by her acting ability.
Kardashian’s character, Siobhan Corbyn, is Alcott’s publicist. Her character displays aspects of the business side of Hollywood and the conventions that come with that territory. She can also showcase a softer side when interacting with Roberts, as their two characters are close friends. Kardashian’s character is given some amazing zingers, which she delivers quite well. I do believe that a more seasoned actress could have elevated the role to be more complex, but as of the first episode, Kardashian is proving that she can act alongside the greats of AHS.
Overall, I enjoyed the premier episode quite well. It was nicely paced, presented multiple mysteries and left me genuinely unsettled on multiple occasions. I would rank it lower than the premiers of the earlier seasons, however, as I felt more hooked by previous storytelling. All things considered, I would definitely recommend the episode to AHS fans and newcomers alike.
