“If you look in the face of evil, evil’s gonna look right back at you.”
The second installment of American Horror Story opens with an attractive couple exploring the abandoned asylum. As they go through each room, the couple explains the history of the asylum and the serial killer that was sent there known as, Bloody Face. Not soon after, the man is attacked by a killer that is lurking in the shadows, this opening is both terrifying and bloody. A startling beginning to a season that is more so psychologically disturbing than its predecessor.
There is a sequence in the first episode where Lana Winters(Sarah Paulson) is getting a tour of the facility by the very intimidating Sister Jude(Jessica Lange). As Lana follows Sister Jude there is an upward shot of the staircase they are walking up, that slowly ascends as they get higher.
This slow and methodical technique is something that would be reflected with the development of the many eccentric and sinister inhabitants of Briarcliff. The characters in this season are truly riveting, and each one of them are unique in their own way. That is probably my favorite aspect of this season, and what I have come to learn is the real driving force of the show. Because it does have a rich atmosphere, showing us the scale and detail of this horrible place and it’s residents, but without interesting characters, than there is not much else to show for. Luckily, the ensemble cast is truly remarkable, and quiet memorable. My personal favorite being Sister Jude(Jessica Lange), Dr. Arden(James Cromwell), Sister Mary Eunice(Lilly Rabe), and Lana Winters(Sarah Paulson).
There are truly horrifyingly stories and sequences within this season, some of which are very unsettling. Asylum juggles a variety of themes such as religion, science, morality, purity, and much more.
Reflecting on the finale, I do feel as sense of satisfaction. Each key character had a pretty good arc by the end of it, which was shown, and not cast aside as being unimportant.
Cedric Cinema 