American Horror Story: Delicate Explained

Bgcolour:
  1. 85BBDD
Showrunner:Halley Feiffer
Num Episodes:9
Network:FX
Prev Season:NYC
Episode List:List of American Horror Story episodes

The twelfth season of the American horror anthology television series American Horror Story, subtitled Delicate, is based on Danielle Valentine's book Delicate Condition and the first and only season of the series to be based on a novel instead of having an original storyline (although the ending deviates heavily from the novel). The ensemble cast includes returnees Emma Roberts, Denis O'Hare, Dominic Burgess, Zachary Quinto, Billie Lourd, Grace Gummer, and Leslie Grossman, with newcomers Matt Czuchry, Kim Kardashian, Annabelle Dexter-Jones, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Cara Delevingne, Julie White, Juliana Canfield, and Maaz Ali.

Created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk for cable network FX, the series is produced by 20th Television. Delicate aired from September 20, 2023, to April 24, 2024, and was split into two parts.

Cast and characters

See also: List of American Horror Story cast members.

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

See also: List of American Horror Story episodes.

Production

Development

On January 9, 2020, American Horror Story was renewed for up to a thirteenth season.[1] On April 10, 2023, series co-creator Ryan Murphy confirmed that the season would have Halley Feiffer as showrunner and be based on Danielle Valentine's upcoming book Delicate Condition, making it the first season in the series' history to not have Murphy as showrunner and to lean into source material. Murphy also announced that the season would be titled Delicate.

Casting

Matt Czuchry joined the twelfth season's cast on April 6, 2023.[2] On April 10, 2023, Murphy announced that the season would be led by Kim Kardashian and series veteran Emma Roberts. Murphy described the season as "ambitious and unlike anything [the series has] ever done" and Kardashian's character as "fun, stylish and ultimately terrifying". Kardashian's involvement in the series is her first in scripted television (besides a one-scene appearance in an episode of the 2008 reboot series of 90210) and was being planned by her and Murphy since 2022, after Murphy was impressed by her work as a host in an October 2021 episode of Saturday Night Live.[3]

On April 24, Cara Delevingne was spotted filming scenes for the season with Roberts.[4] The same week, Annabelle Dexter-Jones and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez joined the cast in undisclosed capacities.[5] [6] [7] On May 1, Variety mentioned Odessa A'zion among the confirmed cast members.[8] In June, People reported that Zachary Quinto confirmed he would make a cameo appearance in the season. The actor also praised Kardashian's performance, stating, "I don't think she needs my advice. She seemed really in her element, and I was really impressed by her spirit and her openness".[9]

Filming

On May 1, during the Met Gala, Kardashian told Variety that production for the season had begun, and her scenes would be filmed later that month.[8] On May 4, the third day of the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike in New York City, it was rumored that production had paused. However, Deadline Hollywood reported that filming for the twelfth season did not stop and cast members were using a studio back entrance to avoid the picket line.[10] On May 10, 2023, it was announced that production for the season has stopped due to the strike.[11] Filming was officially suspended in July due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[12] Filming resumed at the end of November 2023[13] and wrapped on January 22, 2024.[14]

Release

Marketing

On July 20, the season's first teaser trailer was released. Described as "sinister" by press, it presents white-haired women in a circle and motherhood imagery, including Kardashian holding a baby; Kardashian, Roberts and Delevingne are the only actors to appear, with all of them wearing bright red lipstick. The teaser features a modified version of the English nursery rhyme "Rock-a-bye Baby".[15] [16] After watching the teaser, Kyle Denis of Billboard pointed out Rosemary's Baby (1968) as a possible inspiration for the season.[17] A full trailer was released on September 6.[18]

Broadcast

On August 15, FX announced that the season would be split into two parts, and that the first part would premiere on September 20, 2023.[19] The second part of four episodes premiered on April 3, 2024.[20]

Reception

Streaming viewership

According to the streaming aggregator JustWatch, American Horror Story: Delicate was the seventh most streamed television series across all platforms in the United States during the week of September 18–24, 2023,[21] the ninth during the week of September 25 to October 1,[22] [23] and the ninth during the week of October 9–15, 2023.[24] According to 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, American Horror Story: Delicate was the ninth most streamed program across all platforms in the United States during the week of October 12, 2023.[25] [26]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 77% critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.6/10, based on 13 reviews. The website's consensus reads: "American Horror Story reins in its Grand Guignol excess for a softer touch in Delicate, refreshing the series' formula with a slow-burn chiller about the anxieties of pregnancy."[27] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 57 out of 100 based on 8 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[28]

JP Mangalindan of People reported that multiple critics praised the performance of Kim Kardashian upon the season premiere.[29] Anthony D'Alessandro of Deadline Hollywood called her "perfect" for the role of Siobhan Corbyn.[30] Patrick Ryan of USA Today stated that Kardashian succeeded to embody the valley girl persona in a clever way.[31] Coleman Spilde of The Daily Beast found Kardashian to be the best element of the season, while also complimenting the performance of Emma Roberts.[32] Benjamin Lee of The Guardian gave Delicate a grade of three out of five stars, said that Kardashian provides a new and better screen presence compared to other media she starred in, and found Delicate to be more accessible than the previous seasons owing to its focus on the thriller genre.[33]

Accolades

See main article: List of awards and nominations received by American Horror Story.

!Year!Award!Category!Nominee(s)!Result!Ref.
2024Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild AwardsCommercials & Music Videos – Best MakeupAmerican Horror Story: Delicate[34] [35]
Commercials & Music Videos – Best Hair Styling
People's Choice AwardsSci-Fi/Fantasy Show of the Year[36]
Saturn AwardsBest Horror Television Series[37]
Costume Designers Guild AwardsExcellence in Short Form Design[38]
NAACP Image AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic SpecialMicheala Jaé Rodriguez[39]
Golden Reel AwardsOutstanding Achievement in Sound Editing - Broadcast Short FormAmerican Horror Story: Delicate[40]
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Contemporary Costumes for a Limited or Anthology Series or MovieJacqueline Demeterio, Jessica Zavala, Jennifer Salim, Jose Bantula and Jillian Daidone (for "The Auteur")[41]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: White . Peter . January 9, 2020 . 'American Horror Story': FX Renews Anthology Series For Three More Seasons – TCA . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200109193306/https://deadline.com/2020/01/american-horror-story-fx-renews-anthology-series-for-three-more-seasons-tca-1202825621/ . January 9, 2020 . January 9, 2020 . Deadline Hollywood.
  2. Web site: Matt Czuchry Joining Horror Story After The Resident Cancellation — Report. Swift. Andy. April 6, 2023. TVLine. April 10, 2023.
  3. Web site: All the Details on Kim Kardashian Starring in 'American Horror Story' Season 12 (Exclusive). O'Connell. Mikey. April 10, 2023. The Hollywood Reporter. April 10, 2023.
  4. Web site: American Horror Story Season 12 FIRST look: Cara Delevingne and Emma Roberts spotted filming in NYC. April 24, 2023. Wion News. April 24, 2023.
  5. Web site: American Horror Story 12: Rodriguez, Dexter-Jones Join "Delicate" Cast. Flook. Ray. April 28, 2023. Bleeding Cool. April 28, 2023.
  6. Web site: TVLine Items: Pose Vet Joins AHS, Fox Orders Lifeguard Drama and More. Gelman. Vlada. April 28, 2023. TVLine. April 28, 2023.
  7. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . April 28, 2023 . Michaela Jaé Rodriguez Reteams With Ryan Murphy For 'American Horror Story' Season 12 . July 22, 2023 . Deadline Hollywood.
  8. Web site: Malkin . William Earl . Kim Kardashian Working With an Acting Coach to Prepare for 'American Horror Story' Role (EXCLUSIVE) . Variety . May 5, 2023 . May 2, 2023.
  9. Web site: Martinez . Kelly . June 9, 2023 . Zachary Quinto Was 'Really Impressed' by Kim Kardashian on 'AHS' as He Confirms His Own Guest Cameo . July 22, 2023 . People.
  10. Web site: WGA Strike Shuts Down 'Billions' Amid Skirmishes, Cries Of "Scabs" Outside NYC Studio; Teamsters Refuse To Cross Pickets At 'American Horror Story' Filming. Patten. Dominic. Picolli. Sean. Pedersen. Erik. May 4, 2023. Deadline. May 5, 2023.
  11. Web site: May 10, 2023 . Breaking!: American Horror Story Delicate filming has been delayed and won't wrap until late october :(#ahs #ahsfx #ahs12 #americanhorrorstory. May 11, 2023 . Instagram.
  12. Web site: Casanova . Sandy . 2023-07-13 . American Horror Stories season 3 release updates, strike delay, and everything we know . 2023-07-16 . Hidden Remote . en-US.
  13. 1729239265547096410. 'AHS: Delicate' has resumed filming in NYC today.. American Horror Source. AHS_Source. November 27, 2023. January 14, 2024.
  14. 1749818620698661053.
    1. AHSDelicate ya ha terminado su rodaje. Así lo ha confirmado Emma Roberts en su cuenta de Instagram.
    . AHS SPAIN. AHS_SPA. January 23, 2024. January 24, 2024.
  15. Web site: Starkey . Adam . July 21, 2023 . Kim Kardashian debuts in creepy 'American Horror Story: Delicate' trailer . July 22, 2023 . NME.
  16. Web site: Seth . Radhika . July 21, 2023 . Kim Kardashian and Cara Delevingne Are Unrecognizable in the First Teaser for American Horror Story: Delicate . July 22, 2023 . Vogue.
  17. Denis . Kyle . July 20, 2023 . Kim Kardashian Stars in Sinister 'American Horror Story: Delicate' Teaser . July 22, 2023 . Billboard.
  18. Web site: September 6, 2023 . Kim Kardashian Debates an Oscar vs. a Baby in 'American Horror Story: Delicate' Trailer . September 8, 2023 . TheWrap.
  19. Web site: 'American Horror Story' Gets Season 12 Premiere Date On FX. Deadline Hollywood. Petski. Denise. August 15, 2023. August 15, 2023.
  20. Web site: FX Sets Spring Slate for New and Returning Series . . February 10, 2024.
  21. Web site: Gruenwedel . Erik . September 26, 2023 . JustWatch: 'Barbie,' 'Only Murders in the Building' Top Weekly Accessed Digital Content Through Sept. 24 . 2023-09-29 . . en-US.
  22. Web site: Gruenwedel . Erik . October 2, 2023 . JustWatch: Prime Video's 'Gen V,' Hulu's 'No One Will Save You' Top Weekly Streaming Through Oct. 1 . 2023-10-04 . . en-US.
  23. Web site: October 4, 2023 . JustWatch - US Top 10 Movies and TV Shows - 25th September - 1st October 2023 . 2023-10-04 . SpoilerTV.
  24. Web site: Gruenwedel . Erik . October 16, 2023 . JustWatch: Another 'Totally Killer' Streaming Week . 2023-10-17 . . en-US.
  25. Web site: Gruenwedel . Erik . October 13, 2023 . Reelgood: Prime Video's 'Gen V' Tops Weekly Streaming Through Oct. 12 . 2023-10-17 . . en-US.
  26. Web site: Griffith . Eric . Steele . Chandra . October 13, 2023 . Must Watch: The Most-Streamed TV Shows and Movies This Week . 2023-10-17 . . en-gb.
  27. american_horror_story. American Horror Story. tv. 12. April 5, 2024.
  28. american-horror-story. American Horror Story. tv. 12. September 23, 2023.
  29. Web site: Mangalindan . JP . September 21, 2023 . Kim Kardashian's 'American Horror Story: Delicate' Debut Served Up the 'Campy Fun' the Series Needs . 2023-09-29 . . en.
  30. Web site: D'Alessandro . Anthony . September 21, 2023 . 'American Horror Story: Delicate' TV Review: Kim Kardashian Posh 'Rosemary's Baby' Season 12 Opener Keeps Up . 2023-09-21 . . en-US.
  31. Web site: Ryan . Patrick . Kim Kardashian is the only reason to watch awful 'American Horror Story: Delicate' . 2023-09-21 . . en-US.
  32. News: Spilde . Coleman . 2023-09-21 . You'll Never Believe Kim Kardashian's First Line on 'American Horror Story' . en . . 2023-09-21.
  33. News: Lee . Benjamin . September 22, 2023 . American Horror Story: Delicate review – Kim Kardashian is scarily not bad . en-GB . . 2023-09-29 . 0261-3077.
  34. Web site: Pedersen . Erik . February 18, 2024 . ‘Maestro’, ‘Saltburn’ & ‘Barbie’ Win Film Prizes At Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards – Full List . 2024-05-07 . . en-US.
  35. Web site: Coates . Tyler . February 18, 2024 . ‘Saltburn’ and ‘Maestro’ Both Collect Pair of Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards . 2024-05-07 . . en-US.
  36. Web site: Roots . Kimberly . January 11, 2024 . People's Choice Awards: Only Murders in the Building, SVU, Last of Us, Morning Show, Ted Lasso Lead 2024 Nominees . 2024-01-20 . . en-US.
  37. Web site: Hipes . Patrick . December 6, 2023 . ‘Avatar: The Way Of Water’, ‘Oppenheimer’, ‘Star Trek’ Series Lead Nominations For Genre-Focused Saturn Awards . 2024-05-07 . . en-US.
  38. Web site: Tangcay . Jazz . February 21, 2024 . ‘Barbie,’ ‘Poor Things,’ ‘Saltburn’ Lead Costume Designers Guild Awards Winners . 2024-05-07 . . en-US.
  39. Web site: Jackson . Angelique . January 25, 2024 . Colman Domingo, Ayo Edebiri, Victoria Monét and Usher Lead NAACP Image Award Nominations . 2024-05-07 . . en-US.
  40. Web site: Pedersen . Erik . January 16, 2024 . Motion Picture Sound Editors Reveal 2024 MPSE Golden Reel Nominations; ‘Oppenheimer’ Leads Movie Field . 2024-05-07 . . en-US.
  41. Web site: 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards – Nomination Press Release . . July 17, 2024.