Grotesquerie

The problem with Ryan Murphy is the way things get stretched out. After a few episodes (or seasons), the story gets overextended, deflates, and drags on without any real substance.

That's exactly what happens here, in this series. After a strong start with a very unique idea, well-written characters, and a sense of freshness, Murphy's need for shocking twists and flashy narrative choices once again leads to an overstuffed world where the balance between content and flashy presentation is lost.

I truly admire the innovative ideas of the talented Ryan Murphy, but once again, he squanders his talent on unnecessarily drawn-out stories.

All I have to say is this right here... If Niecy Nash (I don't have time to worry about a hyphenated add-on to her name) doesn't win some kind of award for these performances in these 10 episodes, there is something wrong with the Hollywood system. Forget about what the show is about, whether you like the show or not, whether the other actors are good, or the direction is good, just watch the show because Ms. Nash is nothing short of interesting as f!*k. Now, I'm going to add this so my required minimum is met for this review. These shows are getting more and more demented because Hollywood is mostly demented.

Grotesquerie begins with an intriguing premise, blending crime investigation and psychological drama with an air of sinister mystery. The partnership between Courtney B. Vance's nuanced detective and Niecy Nash's empathetic but assertive nun sets the stage for a series that initially captivates. The first few episodes are a masterclass in suspense, with layered storytelling and atmospheric tension that keeps viewers hooked.

Unfortunately, as the series progresses, it unravels into a convoluted mess. Narrative decisions become increasingly absurd, undermining the carefully crafted intrigue established early on. Instead of building towards a satisfying conclusion, Grotesquerie stumbles with nonsensical twists that feel more like desperate attempts to shock than logical story progression. What started as a compelling exploration of human darkness devolves into a tedious and overblown finale.

While the performances remain strong throughout, they're not enough to salvage the series from its overly ambitious but poorly executed narrative choices. Grotesquerie is a frustrating watch: a show that had all the ingredients for greatness but squandered them with baffling storytelling.

Rating: 6/10 - A gripping beginning marred by a disappointing descent into chaos.

I was riveted for 9 episodes. Great acting and really interesting story. Episode 10 was a pile of garbage. Convoluted, overdone and absolutely no answers. What an unbelievable disappointment. Max Winkler had great instincts in his direction. Every episode was a cliffhanger and I couldn't wait to see the next chapter. That last episode was so unwatchable it didn't seem like it was part of the original story. The lighting was off, every scene was so dark it was difficult to watch. The only way this would make sense would be to renew the story and give us some answers. Sadly, I no longer care and won't be watching.

It's a shame so many people wrote this off after only watching a few episodes. I urge viewers to watch through episode 7, and then make a judgment call. While things seem odd, weird, and chaotic, there is a method to the madness. Niecy Nash is absolutely amazing in her portrayal of Lois. I have always thought of her in more comedic roles, but this role suits her extremely well. The other actors do a fantastic job as well, with each character having very specific reasons for why and who they are in this series. The other surprise is Travis Kelce - I didn't know what to expect from him as an actor, and he did a bang-up job! If you like surprising twists, this is definitely worth a watch.