Kim Kardashian’s Acting isn’t the Most Horrifying Part of the New ‘AHS: Delicate’ Trailer
Over the years, Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s ultra-spooky anthology series American Horror Story has delivered some knockout blows. From the Devil’s Night dinner party that saw Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy and the Zodiac Killer share a table to the frightful ‘Checking In’ scene from Hotel, AHS has managed to make murder and mystery somewhat enchanting. Few could forget the absolute chokehold that Evan Peters walking through the high school halls in skeleton makeup had on the Tumblr girlies (myself included). It’s true, right from the very first season, American Horror Story has been able to crack open our psyches, noodle around with the insides and leave us desperately begging for more torment, but this time, Murphy and Falchuk may have taken things too far.
In a move that has sent shudders down the spine of this writer, Kim Kardashian’s long-awaited performance in American Horror Story: Delicate has been teased. Worst of all, it sort of…works? Set to premiere on September 21 through BINGE, the twelfth season of the beloved franchise introduces the world to a new evil. It follows actress Victoria Alcott (played by AHS veteran Emma Roberts) as she attempts to walk the line between career and motherhood.
A series of failed attempts at IVF has left the starlet disenfranchised and depressed, however, as the buzz around her recent film grows, she fears that something may be targeting her – and her pursuit of the perfect family. Enter Kim K, the least reassuring friend a potential victim could have.
Do you want an Oscar?”, the reality TV mogul rigidly states in the trailer, clearly not talking to herself. “Do you want it as much as a baby?”
Now, I’ll admit, going after a reality star’s acting chops is the movie critic’s version of plucking low-hanging fruit, but that’s often where the juiciest flavours are found. Kardashian’s wooden performance is reminscent of her sister’s awkward and under-explained role in Addison Rae’s Netflix smash He’s All That, however, she clearly understands the assignment a little better.
Kardashian’s character, Siobhan Corbyn, is undoubtedly designed to showcase the materialistic desires humans are supposed to enjoy. Her constant craving for accolades and external rewards is in opposition to Alcott’s maternal wants, leading to a crisis of identity for our budding protagonist.
As a fairly one-dimensional character, it’s a little hard to get excited about Kim K’s involvement, but that’s where the criticisms stop. Murphy and Falchuk have gone back to their roots, with Delicate harking back to the heyday of modern horror. Watching Roberts go through countless IVF treatments before finally conceiving, only to slip into a torrid nightmare of supernatural proportions, it’s impossible not to draw a comparison to Roman Polanski’s iconic Rosemary’s Baby.
More of a homage than a recreation, Delicate aims to land in this beautiful spot of terror and intrigue, where Roberts is torn between becoming a mother and fearing the creation she has birthed. Throw in Cara Delevinge as a bewitching harbinger of sorrow, alongside some goats and the token ‘blood pouring from the mouth’ pash and you’ve got yourself an AHS special.
Produced by Ryan Murphy, co-creator Brad Falchuk, Feiffer, Alexis Martin Woodall and Scott Robertson, American Horror Story season 12 looks like another horrifying home run. Even a Kim Kardashian cameo won’t be enough to turn us away from the new instalment of the horror TV series when it airs on BINGE come September 21. Oh well, at least she’s giving up on singing.
