The premiere episodes of Grotesquerie introduce us to Detective Lois Tryon (Niecy Nash-Betts), who becomes embroiled in a series of murders that have unsettled the entire town. The situation turns personal and frightening for Lois when she suspects that the killer is not only targeting victims but also has her in their sights. It feels as though this sinister murderer is toying with her, challenging her to unravel the mystery. Amidst the turmoil, an unexpectedly enthusiastic nun surprises Lois by revealing that she works as a journalist for a newspaper affiliated with her religious order. The first two episodes lay the groundwork for their partnership as they join forces to tackle the horrific religious crimes plaguing the city.
Grotesquerie has parallels with American Horror Story, but it outshines it with a clearer vision and a more realistic tone. “It's inhuman. No, it’s unhuman,” is an early observation made by Detective Tryon regarding the brutal crime scene of the Burnside family. From the very beginning of the series, there’s a haunting sense that the main serial killer will be an formidable foe. Whether that foe is human or supernatural remains to be seen, but since this is a Ryan Murphy show it could be either.
Despite feeling mentally and emotionally unsettled by the case, Lois was determined to keep the FBI at bay, believing there was nothing left to discover at the crime scene—no DNA, fingerprints, or fibers, which suggested a professional hand at work. While talking with her colleagues, an officer informed her that a nun from a newspaper wanted to speak with her. Lois was intrigued, having never encountered a nun in journalism.
Sister Megan Duval arrived, eager to learn about the crime, displaying an unsettling fascination that confused Lois. She shared that she worked for The Catholic Guardian, a publication focused on social justice. The church found that covering crime and cult stories increased their visibility and website traffic, and Megan was genuinely interested in the subject. She completely defied Lois’s expectations of a nun—she swore and enjoyed a drink. In the second episode, as Lois detailed the crime scene, Megan ordered a vodka cocktail, leaving Lois at a loss for words. Nonetheless, Lois valued Megan’s extensive knowledge about religious crimes and biblical references.
In the first episode, Lois mentions seeing someone in her house and chases after him, firing a few shots. Merritt, her daughter, asks why she’s shooting in the dark, having seen or felt nothing. In the second episode, Lois again senses the same mysterious man, leaving Merritt startled to find her mother armed. Lois gives Merritt a box she discovered at the crime scene, hoping her daughter, who excels at puzzles, can uncover its secrets. By the end of episode 2, it remains unclear whether someone is truly stalking Lois or if her troubled mind is simply imagining threats. With her constant drinking and the stress of the Grotesquerie case weighing on her, it’s possible that her experiences are products of her fatigue.
It will be very interesting to see how the rest of this show plays out. With a strong start, I hope it continues to get better each week and provide a spooky, fun October watch.
