Spoilers for American Horror Story: Delicate
American Horror Story (AHS) returned with its twelfth season, Delicate, on Sept. 20, concluding Part One on Oct. 18. The first installment of this two-part series chronicles Anna Victoria Alcott’s (Emma Roberts) introduction to stardom by the efforts of PR specialist Sioban (Kim Kardashian). Alcott’s struggle to win an Oscar while trying for a child through in-vitro fertilization quickly descends into an isolated journey where satanic figures, mysterious stalkers, and phantom miscarriages haunt her. Delicate diverges from the typical extravagant nature of AHS and offers a fresh, subdued horror perspective to revitalize the show after two lacklustre seasons.
Where previous seasons of the show began their first few episodes with mentions of the paranormal or fear-inducing horror, Delicate opts for a more subtle approach. The lack of in-your-face supernatural activity allows the season to build on an ominous unplaced anxiety. While the horror tactics that the show employed in the past have contributed to its success and acclaim, after 11 seasons, these same strategies become redundant and overplayed. Season 12 breaks this worn-out cycle and allows for a more ominous viewing experience. Despite the brief glimpses of satanic essence in the first few episodes, the viewer remains unsure of whether the protagonist is simply experiencing hallucinations or is truly a victim of demonic beings. In the later episodes, the unease culminates into a specified horror. While the alternate approach to this season may leave die-hard fans of American Horror Story unsatisfied, this refreshing take revitalizes the show for many viewers in a necessary manner.
In an era where right-wing fascists have waged war against women’s reproductive rights, this season presents itself as a timely commentary on women’s rights and their experiences during pregnancy. Delicate does an excellent job of portraying the heterosexual social focus on men throughout women’s pregnancies and the phenomenon of men viewing a woman’s body as a mere vessel for their child. Anna’s husband Dex Harding (Matt Czuchry) initially epitomizes the so-called ‘loving husband,’ but as the story progresses, he brushes off Anna’s hardships, accrediting them to a grieving mother’s hallucinations. He exemplifies the faux progressive man who wishes to be seen as a ‘good guy’ but ultimately only sees his wife as a means to an end.
Not only does the pace of the show offer a revitalization, but the surprising acting performances lend an unexpected brilliance to this season. Emma Roberts brings her usual stunning abilities to the screen, offering a realistic take on a distressed and haunted woman. However, it is Kim Kardashian’s surprising performance which piques this season’s appeal. Most viewers expected Kim’s presence in this season to be merely a PR move to boost the show’s ratings. On the contrary, she acts as more than merely a celebrity making an appearance, presenting herself similarly to Lady Gaga’s feature in American Horror Story: Hotel where Gaga shocked audiences with her full-fledged performance. This rare example of admirable celebrity acting allows for Season 12 to adopt the same intrigue that Season Five did. Kim plays an unfabricated, almost alternate version of herself, bridging familiarity and fiction, leaving the viewer excited and yearning for more of her screen time. Although Kim’s performance is not to the quality of AHS veterans such as Jessica Lange, who starred in the first four seasons of the show, she has nonetheless impressed viewers with her rousing performance and many are claiming it to be Emmy-worthy.
American Horror Story: Delicate was evidently the change in direction the show needed to maintain its position as a horror classic. With its subdued horror approach, commentary on contemporary issues, and Kim Kardashian’s surprising performance, this season has the potential to return American Horror Story to its cult classic legacy.
American Horror Story: Delicate is available on FXNow. Part two will be released in 2024.
