Grotesquerie | |
---|---|
Genre | |
Created by |
|
Starring | |
Composer | Morgan Kibby |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 10 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Producers |
|
Running time | 30–58 minutes |
Production companies |
|
Original release | |
Network | FX |
Release | September 25, 2024 – present |
Grotesquerie is an American horror drama television series created by Ryan Murphy, Jon Robin Baitz, and Joe Baken for FX. [4] Niecy Nash-Betts stars as Detective Lois Tryon, alongside Courtney B. Vance, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, Micaela Diamond, Raven Goodwin, and Lesley Manville. [5]
The series premiered on September 25, 2024. [6]
Detective Lois Tryon must work with Sister Megan, a local nun, to figure out the source of a series of heinous crimes that is affecting both their community and their personal lives. [7]
No. | Title [8] | Directed by | Written by [9] | Original air date [8] | U.S. viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Pilot" | Max Winkler | Ryan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe Baken | September 25, 2024 | 0.343 [10] |
2 | "True Crime Catholics" | Max Winkler | Ryan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe Baken | September 25, 2024 | N/A |
3 | "The Bender" | Ryan Murphy | Ryan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe Baken | October 2, 2024 | 0.203 [11] |
4 | "Coordinates" | Alexis Martin Woodall | Ryan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe Baken | October 2, 2024 | 0.144 [11] |
5 | "Red Haze" | Max Winkler | Ryan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe Baken | October 9, 2024 | 0.224 [12] |
6 | "Good Caesarean Work" | Max Winkler | Ryan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe Baken | October 9, 2024 | 0.171 [12] |
7 | "Unplugged" | Max Winkler | Ryan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe Baken | October 16, 2024 | 0.200 [13] |
8 | "In Dreams" | Elegance Bratton | Ryan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe Baken | October 23, 2024 | 0.173 [14] |
9 | "The Stinging Aroma of Sulfur" | Alexis Martin Woodall | Ryan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe Baken | October 23, 2024 | 0.108 [14] |
10 | "I Think I'm Dead" | Alexis Martin Woodall | Ryan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe Baken | October 30, 2024 | 0.196 [15] |
The series was announced in February 2024, when creator Ryan Murphy released a teaser on Instagram. Niecy Nash, Courtney B. Vance and Lesley Manville were set to star. [16]
The trailer for Grotesquerie was released in August 2024. [17] The first two episodes of Grotesquerie premiered on FX on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. The subsequent eight episodes will air weekly on Wednesdays in pairs of 2 until October 23, 2024. Each episode will be available for streaming on Hulu the day following its FX broadcast. [18] Internationally, the series was made available to stream on Disney+. [19]
Grotesquerie debuted at No. 1 on Hulu's "Top 15 Today" list on its first full day of release and remained on the list for five consecutive days as of October 1, 2024, alongside other television series made by Ryan Murphy, including American Sports Story and Doctor Odyssey . [20] The streaming aggregator Reelgood, which monitors real-time data from 5 million users in the U.S. for original and acquired streaming programs and movies across subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) and ad-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) services, reported that Grotesquerie was the eighth most-streamed television series in the U.S. for the week of September 26 to October 2, 2024. [21] Analytics company Samba TV, which gathers viewership data from certain smart TVs and content providers, calculated that it was the ninth most-watched program during the week of September 30 to October 6, 2024. [22] By the week ending October 9, 2024, Reelgood announced that Grotesquerie was the ninth most-streamed series in the U.S. [23]
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 79% of 14 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.50/10. The critics' consensus reads, "Equal parts campy and terrifying, Grotesquerie is a stomach-churning feast for viewers seeking a thrill." [24] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the series a score of 51 out of 100, based on 7 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews. [25]
Nakeisha Campbell of PureWow remarked that while the graphic imagery in Grotesquerie can be unsettling—almost prompting her to stop watching the series—she stated that Niecy Nash-Betts's strong performance kept her engaged. She praised the exploration of Detective Lois Tryon's personal struggles and highlighted the partnership between Tryon and Sister Megan, describing their dynamic as a refreshing addition to the narrative. Campbell also acknowledged the suspenseful tone and expressed curiosity about the series' direction, recognizing its appeal to fans of intense horror. [26] Matthew Creith of TheWrap praised Nash-Betts for her performance, portraying a flawed character who battles alcoholism and personal struggles while investigating a series of grotesque murder cases. He appreciated the eccentricity of the supporting characters, particularly Sister Megan and Nurse Redd, saying they add layers of strangeness to the narrative. Creith complimented the show for its dark and macabre tone, noting its evolution from a typical police drama into a deeper exploration of paranoia and sociopathy, while also acknowledging the intriguing dynamics and theological themes presented throughout the series. [27]
Daniel Kurland of Bloody Disgusting noted that Grotesquerie feels akin to a season of American Horror Story while being more focused and grounded. He found the atmosphere to evoke a heavy sense of dread, drawing parallels to Seven and Hannibal , and said that the contrast between horror and domestic life enhances the impact of the murders. Kurland praised Nash-Betts for her performance and highlighted Micaela Diamond's Sister Megan Duval as the standout character, suggesting that their dynamic explores themes of faith amid violence. Kurland recognized that while Murphy's shows often start strong but may falter, Grotesquerie establishes a solid foundation, concluding with cautious optimism regarding the series' potential within the horror genre. [28] Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter noted that Grotesquerie feels familiar within Murphy's universe, with a setup reminiscent of American Horror Story and Seven, incorporating themes of religious symbolism and societal decay. He praised Nash-Betts' portrayal as a detective, complimenting her fresh take on the archetype and strong chemistry with supporting actors Raven Goodwin and Courtney B. Vance. Fienberg also highlighted Diamond's breakout role as Sister Megan but found the series somewhat predictable in its early episodes, hoping for more innovation in future installments. [29]
Petrana Radulovic of Polygon described Grotesquerie as intriguing but flawed, highlighting the engaging mystery and over-the-top, religiously symbolic murders. She praised the performances, particularly those of Nash-Betts as Detective Lois Tryon and Diamond as Sister Megan. Radulovic also complimented the show's setup and its disturbing crime scenes reminiscent of Seven, but expressed doubt about Murphy's ability to deliver a satisfying conclusion, based on his previous projects. [30] Rebecca Nicholson of The Guardian gave Grotesquerie a score of three out of five stars and called the show more downbeat compared to Murphy's typical work, focusing on a grander narrative amid its gothic horrors. She found the show visually striking but criticized its reliance on clumsy exposition, which undermines its eerie atmosphere. Nicholson praised Nash-Betts' performance as a hard-drinking detective, noting her poise despite the clichéd nature of the role, and complimented Lesley Manville's skilled delivery of absurd lines. While acknowledging its slow pace, she found the series intriguing with its themes of societal collapse, faith, and fear, suggesting it is worth continuing despite some flaws. [31]
Grotesquerie was nominated for Best Horror Television Series the 52nd Saturn Awards. [32] [33]
Carol Denise Betts, known professionally as Niecy Nash, is an American actress, comedian, and television host. Her acting career began in the late 1990s, with appearances in the films Boys on the Side (1995) and Cookie's Fortune (1999). She garnered recognition for her portrayal of Deputy Raineesha Williams in the comedy series Reno 911!, along with hosting the Style Network show Clean House (2003—2010), for which she won a Daytime Emmy Award.
Ryan Patrick Murphy is an American television writer, director, and producer. He has created and produced a number of television series including Nip/Tuck (2003–2010), Glee (2009–2015), American Horror Story (2011–present), American Crime Story (2016–present), Pose (2018–2021), 9-1-1 (2018–present), 9-1-1: Lone Star (2020–2025), Ratched (2020), American Horror Stories (2021–present), and Monster (2022–present).
American Horror Story (AHS) is an American horror anthology television series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk for the cable network FX. The first installment in the American Story media franchise, seasons of AHS are mostly conceived as self-contained miniseries, following a different set of characters in a new setting within the same fictional universe, and a storyline with its own "beginning, middle, and end." Some plot elements of each season are loosely inspired by true events.
"Pilot" is the first episode and the series premiere of the television series American Horror Story, which premiered on the network FX on October 5, 2011. The episode was co-written by series creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk and directed by Murphy. Falchuk and Murphy had previously collaborated on the Fox musical comedy-drama Glee.
The first season of American Horror Story, retroactively subtitled Murder House, centers on the Harmon family, who, after dealing with a miscarriage and infidelity, move to a restored mansion in Los Angeles, unaware that the ghosts of its former residents and their victims haunt the house. The ensemble cast includes Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott, Evan Peters, Taissa Farmiga, Denis O'Hare, and Jessica Lange.
"Spooky Little Girl" is the ninth episode of the first season of the television series American Horror Story, which premiered on the network FX on November 30, 2011. The episode was written by Jennifer Salt and was directed by John Scott. This episode is rated TV-MA (LSV).
"Smoldering Children" is the tenth episode of the first season of the American horror television series American Horror Story, which premiered on December 7, 2011, on the FX network. The episode was written by James Wong and directed by Michael Lehmann. With a rating of TV-MA (LV), this installment is intended for mature audiences only, due to its intense and disturbing content.
The third season of the American horror anthology television series American Horror Story, subtitled Coven, is set in 2013 New Orleans and follows a coven of witches descended from Salem as they fight for survival and features flashbacks to the Salem witch trials in 1692, as well as the 1830s, 1910s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1990s. The ensemble cast includes Sarah Paulson, Taissa Farmiga, Frances Conroy, Emma Roberts, Lily Rabe, Evan Peters, Denis O'Hare, Kathy Bates, and Jessica Lange, with all returning from previous seasons, except Roberts and Bates. The season marks the first to not feature cast mainstays Dylan McDermott and Zachary Quinto.
The fourth season of the American horror anthology television series American Horror Story, subtitled Freak Show, is set in 1952 Jupiter, Florida, telling the story of one of the last remaining freak shows in the United States and their struggle for survival. The ensemble cast includes Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Michael Chiklis, Frances Conroy, Emma Roberts, Denis O'Hare, Finn Wittrock, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, and Jessica Lange, with all returning from previous seasons, except newcomers Chiklis and Wittrock. The season marks the first not to be strictly anthological, with Lily Rabe, Naomi Grossman, and James Cromwell reprising their roles from the series' second cycle, Asylum.
Scream Queens is an American satirical dark comedy slasher television series that aired on Fox from September 22, 2015, to December 20, 2016. The series was created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan and produced by Murphy, Falchuk, Brennan, and Alexis Martin Woodall, and by 20th Century Fox Television, Ryan Murphy Productions, Brad Falchuk Teley-vision, and Prospect Films. The first season stars an ensemble cast consisting of Emma Roberts, Skyler Samuels, Lea Michele, Glen Powell, Diego Boneta, Abigail Breslin, Keke Palmer, Oliver Hudson, Nasim Pedrad, Lucien Laviscount, Billie Lourd, and Jamie Lee Curtis, with Niecy Nash, Ariana Grande, and Nick Jonas in supporting roles. It takes place at the fictional Wallace University, and was filmed at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. It follows sorority Kappa Kappa Tau (KKT) which is targeted by a serial killer using the university's Red Devil mascot as a disguise.
"Checking In" is the premiere episode of the fifth season of the anthology television series American Horror Story. It aired on October 7, 2015, on the cable network FX. The episode was co-written by creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk and directed by Murphy.
Michael Goi is an American cinematographer and film director.
The eighth season of the American horror anthology television series American Horror Story, subtitled Apocalypse, features the witches from the New Orleans coven as they battle the Antichrist and attempt to prevent the world from ending. The season is presented as a crossover between Murder House, Coven, and Hotel. The ensemble cast includes Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Adina Porter, Billie Lourd, Leslie Grossman, Cody Fern, Emma Roberts, Cheyenne Jackson, and Kathy Bates, with all returning from previous seasons, except newcomer Fern.
The ninth season of the American horror anthology television series American Horror Story, subtitled 1984, takes place outside Los Angeles during the 1980s and focuses on the staff of a summer camp reopening after a massacre 14 years prior. It has been described as being heavily influenced by classic slasher films, such as Friday the 13th (1980) and Halloween (1978). The ensemble cast includes Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd, Leslie Grossman, Cody Fern. The season marks the first to not feature cast mainstays Sarah Paulson and Evan Peters.
The eleventh season of the American horror anthology television series American Horror Story, subtitled NYC, takes place in 1980s New York City, and focuses on a string of killings involving gay men and the emergence of a new virus. The ensemble cast includes Russell Tovey, Joe Mantello, Charlie Carver, Billie Lourd, Leslie Grossman, Sandra Bernhard, Isaac Cole Powell, Zachary Quinto, Denis O'Hare, and Patti LuPone, with all returning from previous seasons, except newcomers Tovey, Mantello, and Carver.
The tenth season of the American horror anthology television series American Horror Story, subtitled Double Feature, is composed of two stories, each taking up half the season. The first story, Red Tide, focuses on a family in Provincetown, Massachusetts, who meet the town's mysterious true inhabitants. The second story, Death Valley, follows a group of camping students who find themselves in the midst of a conspiracy involving extraterrestrials. The ensemble cast includes veterans Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe, Finn Wittrock, Frances Conroy, Billie Lourd, Leslie Grossman, Adina Porter, and Angelica Ross, as well as newcomers Macaulay Culkin, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Neal McDonough, Kaia Gerber, Nico Greetham, Isaac Powell, Rachel Hilson, and Rebecca Dayan.
Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is the first season of the American biographical crime drama anthology television series Monster, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan for Netflix, which was released on September 21, 2022. Murphy and Brennan both serve as showrunners. Dahmer is about the life of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Other main characters include Dahmer's father, Lionel, his stepmother Shari, suspicious neighbor Glenda, and grandmother Catherine.
American Horror Stories is an American horror anthology television series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk for FX on Hulu. Originally premiering on July 15, 2021, the series serves as a direct spin-off/companion series to American Horror Story, and the third installment in the American Story media franchise. In contrast to American Horror Story, which tells a different story throughout each season, Stories tells a different story in each individual episode.
American Sports Story is an American sports drama anthology series developed by Stu Zicherman, who also serves as an executive producer alongside Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Alexis Martin Woodall, Eric Kovtun, Hernan Lopez, Marshall Lewy, Linda Pizutti Henry, and Ira Napoliello. The series serves as the fourth installment in the American Story media franchise, and is broadcast on the cable network FX.
All's Fair is an upcoming American legal drama series created by Ryan Murphy, and starring Kim Kardashian, Glenn Close, Sarah Paulson, Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash, and Teyana Taylor. The series is set to premiere on Hulu.