Ryan Murphy's Grotesquerie: Why It's NOT American Horror Story (and Why That's Awesome!)
Ryan Murphy Explains Why Grotesquerie is a Whole Different Beast Than American Horror Story
So, Ryan Murphy's new horror series, Grotesquerie, has everyone talking. Some folks are scratching their heads, wondering why it's not part of American Horror Story (AHS). Well, Murphy himself just cleared up all the confusion. It's not merely some internal disagreement that happened, and those were comments coming from a trusted source which involved this long-time collaborative relationship between Murphy and FX itself! Let's be clear - those answers and this very distinction were explicitly voiced!
In an interview with Deadline, Murphy set the record straight: Grotesquerie and AHS are completely different animals. He explicitly emphasizes it when mentioning his tone. "Grotesquerie has nothing in common with American Horror Story. It just does not," Murphy stated, then continues with a deeper comparison emphasizing why those are two separate projects, by comparing Grotesquerie's themes and those that he might utilize in a project under American Horror Story's banner. His comparison uses Don't Look Now and Halloween as contrasting points which help emphasize this very critical difference. It's not simply something minor, but these were fundamentally and drastically different; almost entirely opposite themes.
Murphy adds, "It was never considered for that. It’s a much different animal. I think the thing that does overlap is my interest in my tone and my casting and the world building and all that stuff." He clarifies that while they might seem the same on the surface, it's fundamentally a totally different direction. He doesn’t explain the specifics of each style entirely, because both don’t overlap despite using similar elements. But his insistence shows why this decision should remain intact!
John Landgraf, FX's chief and Murphy's long-time collaborator, backs him up. "American Horror Story is a straightforward horror structure with very inventive tone and setting and visual language and characters," Landgraf explains. Then he mentions why Grotesquerie differs completely, stating this new title, "is not that. It’s totally an existential thing. It’s more like Get Out or something that’s filled with misdirection and social commentary". It's totally its own genre that just barely can be termed horror. Those themes that really affect this critically distinct project help highlight this, and make a clear contrast for those attempting to place it into an American Horror Story bin, showcasing why this distinction remains very significant.
The entire argument from both points shows why attempting to combine both under the same name wouldn’t simply just damage the brand but really make for bad television! It helps audiences realize why maintaining creative integrity remains far more valuable and impactful than other reasons why those creative decisions often change to include a name that many believe is far better known.
What This Means For Murphy's Horror Universe (and Beyond)
This distinction unlocks Murphy's creative potential, folks. By going beyond those previously established concepts from American Horror Story he successfully avoids repetition which risks viewer burnout. It’s far easier for the viewers to engage with the material, especially when considering the new material might engage and attract a much wider range of viewers unfamiliar with the AHS title, while that same fanbase for AHS still remains for this new brand! It's a win-win!
Murphy’s emphasis on exploring multiple thematic concerns shows promise: it opens the possibility of experiencing new styles that showcase unique narratives such as Grotesquerie's blend of horror and sharp social commentary. The diverse storytelling guarantees viewers unique experiences.
Our Take: A Smart Move for Both Franchises
This creative shift emphasizes that Murphy adapts to changing audiences but is never swayed away from his vision. The contrast becomes incredibly pronounced here: AHS provides intense horror while Grotesquerie adds different perspectives, blending the genre in unexpectedly new ways. That makes this not merely just about creating more, but producing extremely creative, novel pieces of television!
American Horror Story, Grotesquerie, and American Sports Story—these simultaneous runs from this acclaimed creator give amazing opportunities for viewers! We can experience three entirely different aspects of his very distinct artistic vision, exploring very uniquely nuanced styles and perspectives; demonstrating why having diverse projects; and highlighting individual and distinctive attributes for each remain fundamentally important when maintaining these various brands.
