Ryan Murphy is back with another hit series! Grotesquerie, is a creepy new show that blends Horror with a true crime format. This FX series has fans glued to their screens and really pushes some boundaries in how these mysteries are revealed!
Biblical Themes in Grotesquerie
The series follows Detective Lois Tryon (Niecy Nash-Betts) as she investigates a series of disturbing murders that mirror scenes from the Bible. Sister Megan Duval (Micaela Diamond) joins her in solving these gruesome crimes. Their partnership is one that takes them into the depths of this world full of unsettling clues and symbolism from religious text!
The Seven Deadly Sins
The killer in Grotesquerie uses the seven deadly sins to stage each murder. This initial murder features the Burnside family. The killer reflects on their beliefs that are based around social justice, leaving their bodies in a shocking state!
- The youngest child is boiled.
- The father is roasted in an oven.
- The rest of the family is forced to eat their father.
This disturbing scene highlights the sin of gluttony, and the killer’s belief that progressives will "eat their own."
The Last Supper
In a chilling scene, the killer recreates The Last Supper in a church, referencing communion and foreshadowing the end.
This parallels another scene where Lois prepares a huge feast for her daughter Merritt (Raven Goodwin), linking gluttony to the end times.
Lust and Goya's Witches' Sabbath
A group of sex workers are murdered, one’s head replaced with a goat’s, echoing a painting by Francisco Goya called "Witches' Sabbath." This links lust and paganism to the killer’s hatred of marginalized people.
Sister Megan and Father Charlie (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) having a secret affair creates a contrast, showing the danger of succumbing to temptation.
Biblical Verses and Dante's Inferno
A crime scene leads to coordinates in the desert during a wildfire. Sister Megan connects this to hellfire and Lois's role. The idea of purgatory comes into play as Lois's husband is in a coma, a moment of hell and pain.
Sister Megan’s quote from Psalm 88:6-7 adds more layers to the meaning, furthering this notion. If it all leads to Dante's Inferno, it makes the viewers feel more terrified!
Judgment Day
A young woman named Andrea (Victoria Abbott) shows up drenched in blood, leading to a motel where they have no phones or signal.
The TV plays news, hinting at Judgment Day. This links to the killer’s judgment of society, focusing on progressive people. The references show he hates marginalizEd groups.
Lois' Arrest and the Meaning of Glorious
The killer includes personal details about Lois in the crime scenes. Her coworker revisits a previous case and the fact that a pimp, Glorious, was strangely released.
The name "Glorious" refers to God’s attributes in the Bible. Glorious is not the killer, but this fact indicates a knowledgeable individual who holds information. This makes it an exciting scene to highlight this mysterious character and how all this comes together!
Grotesquerie: A Must-Watch
This intense new series features great writing, stunning visuals, and unique use of biblical symbolism. The performances from Nash-Betts and Diamond, alone make this show an amazing ride for any horror lover. The religious aspects truly bring an extra layer to a great mystery and really makes fans come back again and again. With an audience that truly appreciates its originality Grotesquerie is sure to leave a mark as a series for years to come! This new, incredible entry will be a must-watch, which fans can find on Hulu.
