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Grotesquerie (TV series)

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Grotesquerie
Genre
Created by
Starring
ComposerMorgan Kibby
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Kip Davis Myers
  • Daniel Portnoy
  • Adam Penn
Running time30–58 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkFX
ReleaseSeptember 25, 2024 (2024-09-25) –
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]

Premise

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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]

Cast and characters

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Main

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Recurring

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Guest

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Episodes

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No.Title [8]Directed byWritten by [9]Original air date [8]U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Pilot"Max WinklerRyan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe BakenSeptember 25, 2024 (2024-09-25)0.343[10]
2"True Crime Catholics"Max WinklerRyan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe BakenSeptember 25, 2024 (2024-09-25)N/A
3"The Bender"Ryan MurphyRyan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe BakenOctober 2, 2024 (2024-10-02)0.203[11]
4"Coordinates"Alexis Martin WoodallRyan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe BakenOctober 2, 2024 (2024-10-02)0.144[11]
5"Red Haze"Max WinklerRyan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe BakenOctober 9, 2024 (2024-10-09)0.224[12]
6"Good Caesarean Work"Max WinklerRyan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe BakenOctober 9, 2024 (2024-10-09)0.171[12]
7"Unplugged"Max WinklerRyan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe BakenOctober 16, 2024 (2024-10-16)0.200[13]
8"In Dreams"Elegance BrattonRyan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe BakenOctober 23, 2024 (2024-10-23)0.173[14]
9"The Stinging Aroma of Sulfur"Alexis Martin WoodallRyan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe BakenOctober 23, 2024 (2024-10-23)0.108[14]
10"I Think I'm Dead"Alexis Martin WoodallRyan Murphy & Jon Robin Baitz & Joe BakenOctober 30, 2024 (2024-10-30)0.196[15]

Production

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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]

Release

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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]

Reception

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Streaming viewership

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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]

Critical response

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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]

Notes

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  1. ^ He was known as a priest named "Father Charlie" in Lois' coma dreams during the first 7 episodes of the season.
  2. ^ She was known as a nun named "Sister Megan" in Lois' coma dreams during the first 7 episodes of the season.
  3. ^ She was known as a nurse named "Nurse Redd" in Lois' coma dreams during the first 7 episodes of the season.

References

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  1. ^ Patton, Tess (September 25, 2024). "'Grotesquerie' Episode Release Schedule: When Are Episodes Available to Stream?". TheWrap. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  2. ^ Appler, Michael (September 24, 2024). "Travis Kelce's Mother Talks NFL Star's Acting Debut in 'Grotesquerie': 'He Has No Fear of Failure'". Variety. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  3. ^ Darney, Caroline (September 25, 2024). "Jason Kelce accuses Travis Kelce of being the killer in Grotesquerie on New Heights". USA Today. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  4. ^ Cobb, Kayla (September 4, 2024). "Travis Kelce Warns There's 'No Future' in Bloody 'Grotesquerie' Trailer". TheWrap. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  5. ^ McPherson, Chris (September 4, 2024). "Travis Kelce Battles With Evil in Ryan Murphy's 'Grotesquerie' Trailer". Collider. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  6. ^ Petski, Denise (August 14, 2024). "Ryan Murphy's 'Grotesquerie' Teaser: First Look At Niecy Nash-Betts, Travis Kelce In Creepy FX Series — Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  7. ^ Khosla, Proma (August 31, 2024). "September TV Preview: 20 New Shows to Watch". IndieWire. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Shows A–Z – Grotesquerie on FX". The Futon Critic. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  9. ^ "Grotesquerie". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  10. ^ Pucci, Douglas (September 26, 2024). "Wednesday Ratings: ESPN Bests Fox and NBC in Demos Due to Caitlin Clark-Fueled Cable Record WNBA Playoff Game". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (October 3, 2024). "Wednesday Ratings: ESPN Networks Top Prime Time Demos with MLB Postseason". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on November 4, 2024. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (October 10, 2024). "Wednesday Ratings: 'Abbott Elementary' Season Premiere on ABC Builds in Demos from Lead-In". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  13. ^ Pucci, Douglas (October 17, 2024). "Wednesday Ratings: Bret Baier's Sit-Down with Kamala Harris on Fox News was Most-Watched Interview of 2024 Election Season". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (October 24, 2024). "Wednesday Ratings: CNN Outdraws All Networks Except NBC During Kamala Harris Town Hall". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on November 4, 2024. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  15. ^ Pucci, Douglas (October 31, 2024). "Wednesday Ratings: MLB World Series Concludes on Seven-Year High on Fox Platforms". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on November 4, 2024. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  16. ^ Hailu, Selome (February 23, 2024). "Surprise Ryan Murphy Horror Drama 'Grotesquerie' Set at FX for Fall; Niecy Nash-Betts, Courtney B. Vance and Lesley Manville Star". Variety. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  17. ^ Swift, Andy (August 15, 2024). "Grotesquerie: Watch a Haunting Teaser for Ryan Murphy's Latest FX Horror Series". TVLine. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  18. ^ Kaplan, Avery (September 5, 2024). "Grotesquerie season 1 release date: Here's when Ryan Murphy's new horror show debuts on FX and Hulu". Popverse. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  19. ^ Marchall, Alexander (October 4, 2024). "Grotesquerie, the new horror series by Ryan Murphy after Monsters: trailer and release date". The Journal. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  20. ^ Cobb, Kayla (October 1, 2024). "Ryan Murphy Reflects on the Success, Discourse and 'Daunting Task' of Dominating Fall TV". TheWrap. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  21. ^ Bentz, Adam (October 11, 2024). "Ryan Murphy's New Horror Series Becomes Streaming Success After Four Episodes". Screen Rant. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  22. ^ Latchem, John (October 11, 2024). "Samba TV: 'Penguin' Tops Weekly Streaming Viewership Through Oct. 6". Media Play News. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  23. ^ Meek, Andy (October 12, 2024). "Everyone is obsessed with these 10 TV shows on Netflix, Hulu, Max, Prime Video & more". Boy Genius Report. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  24. ^ "Season 1 – Grotesquerie". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  25. ^ "Grotesquerie: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  26. ^ Campbell, Nakeisha (September 26, 2024). "Niecy Nash-Betts's New Serial Killer Thriller Is So Terrifying That I'm Afraid to Keep Watching". PureWow. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  27. ^ Creith, Matthew (September 26, 2024). "'Grotesquerie' Review: Niecy Nash-Betts Investigates Satanic Crimes in Ryan Murphy's Gory Horror Story". TheWrap. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  28. ^ Kurland, Daniel (September 26, 2024). "Ryan Murphy's 'Grotesquerie' Kicks Off to a Strong, Sinister Start [Review]". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  29. ^ Fienberg, Daniel (September 26, 2024). "'Grotesquerie' Review: Niecy Nash Shines Through the Moral Murk of Ryan Murphy's FX Horror Show". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  30. ^ Radulovic, Petrana (September 26, 2024). "In Grotesquerie, Ryan Murphy does Seven and… it kinda works?". Polygon. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  31. ^ Nicholson, Rebecca (September 26, 2024). "Grotesquerie review – horror as gorily unsubtle as you'd expect from Ryan Murphy". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
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