'American Horror Story: Cult'
(Sarah Paulson, Alison Pill, Evan Peters, Cheyenne Jackson, Billie Lourd, et al / 3-DVD / NR / 2018 / 20th Century Fox)
Overview: 'American Horror Story: Cult' contains all 11 episodes from the 'Cult' seventh season of the horror anthology. After the 2016 U.S. presidential election, a psychopath begins hunting for political power by becoming a cult leader.
DVD Verdict: 'American Horror Story' is an interesting show in that each season is anthological and main characters can meet grisly fates. Not every character has a happy ending and there are many life lessons that are shown through the seasons.
Each season opens with certain mysteries that are explored throughout the season, but thankfully it is not in a slow manner (like so many other shows) and is therefore quick to the point and thus keeps you engaged.
The acting is absolutely amazing and the writing is great too. However, with good things, there must always be bad. And sadly, as I think we can all attest to, there are quite a few things that are bad in these later seasons since it began (so wondrously) in 2011.
When Jessica Lange left the show, the next season ('Hotel') was absolutely horrible. I suggest you definitely skip that season. There are ties to other seasons, but it is horrible to watch. Enough said.
Indeed, there are also a lot of fans divided on both 'Freak Show' and 'Roanoke.' Each season is very different, as aforementioned, but it is a great show (to my mind) nonetheless.
Now, as for this seventh season, 'Cult,' well, as always, good vs. bad will apply to any genuine journalistic review. I'll say this though, the show is less scary than it is compelling.
These days, it's actually more about the people that are dead or alive with unresolved conflict than the ones who killed them or might still be tortured here on Earth.
And with that in mind, it touches on grief, pain, and resolution. Ergo, here in 'Cult,' the acting is rather good, very solid for the most part, the plot is well written (if not overly political, and directed squarely at President Trump, of course), and the twists are compelling (even if sometimes predictable).
Evan Peters is fantastic in his ever-changing roles just as the rest of the cast are. I need to point out Evans as he was completely unknown to me before AHS, unlike some of the more established actors. But here in 'Cult' he takes center stage as the leader supreme of a cult that he himself is desperately trying to get off the ground and recognized (let alone taken seriously!).
Set in 2016, the day of the presidential election, the always-beautiful, always-sexy Sarah Paulson plays Ally alongside the aforementioned cult leader, Peters (Kai).
But, and as mentioned before, I have to play Devil's Advocate here, and say that there was nothing of any real "horror" aspect to this seventh season. I honestly laughed throughout half the episodes as there was simply no way of viewing it without understanding that the producers, directors, writers, actors/actresses, and probably the whole crew, were deeply and emotionally traumatized by the 2016 election result!
They took it so personally that they did not care in offending and insulting half of their audience! Politics aside, AHS is Hollywood, specifically designed to entertain, but instead they dumped their personal political viewpoints into our small screens as a way to get their voices heard.
And yet still, and with all that said, and with all the aspects of the script touching on realistic and sensitive subjects concerning the presidential election, women degradation, and white fascist supremacy, 'AHS Cult' still had one of the best character developments I have ever seen.
Who? Well, it was an absolute phenomenal acting and character development from, and yet again, the wonderful Sarah Paulson. This season was quite the experience, story wise and execution, and Paulson just rocks the screen, each and every time she is shown.
Oh, and it also tackles topics such as LGBTQ+ rights, racism, sexism, misandry, misogyny, feminism and planned parenthood, to name a few! So climb aboard the AHS express and get entwined with the newest edition of the series, 'Cult.' These are all Widescreen Presentations (1.78:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and it comes with the Special Features of:
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