Season 7 of American Horror Story has been an interesting one. Titled Cult, the series uses the backdrop of the 2016 Presidential Election to examine how vulnerable or disenfranchised citizens can be driven to heinous acts of violence. And while the main narrative of Cult follows Evan Peters' Kai Anderson as he manipulates his way into power, Peters will also be playing a variety of other cult leaders before the season concludes. The most recent episode saw his depiction of legendary artist Andy Warhol, and now creator/producer Ryan Murphy has teased what Peters will look like as infamous serial killer and cult leader Charles Manson. Check it out.
Pretty scary stuff, right? While lacking his signature anti-semitic forehead tattoo, Evan Peters is a creepy spitting image of the still living leader of the Manson Family. Now we'll just have to wait and see how his Manson factors into AHS: Cult's storyline.
Smart money says that someone makes the comparison between Charles Manson and Evan Peters' Kai Anderson. Both killers managed to accrue a group of loyal followers who were willing to anything they commanded. Because while Manson never actually killed anyone, it was at his behest that the family members brutally murdered their victims, including actress Sharon Tate.
Cult's Kai Anderson has moved somewhat similarly to Charles Manson. While more willing to put himself in bodily harm (he's taken a bullet and a beating thus far), he similarly manipulated disenfranchised individuals to commit acts of murder and torture within their community. This was all done to help put the community into chaos, and therefore allow for Kai's public ascension and more recruits to join the organization.
The use of this type of flashback was used in the most recent episode, titled "Valerie Solanas Died for Your Sins: Scumbag". When Frances Conroy's character entered the season, she spoke with the female members of Kai's Cult about Valerie Solanas' assassination attempt on Andy Warhol, and her fictional involvement as the Zodiac Killer. And now it looks like Charles Manson's eventual appearance is not far off.
Charles Manson and Andy Warhol aren't the only cult leaders that Evan Peters will be playing before American Horror Story: Cult ends its run on FX. He'll also portray cult leaders and killers like David Koresh and Jim Jones, in addition to continuing Kai's quest for anarchy and power.
American Horror Story: Cult has been an interesting season, as the anthology series once again reinvented itself. While Roanoke was pure horror and reality TV spoof, Cult has no supernatural elements at all. All of the atrocities and violence were done to regular people, by regular people. Additionally, the backdrop of the wake of the 2016 Presidential Election allows for tons of unexpected tongue in cheek humor. Ryan Murphy and company have taken jabs at Americans on both side of the political spectrum, while also showing some of the most violent and scary imagery the show has ever produced.
There are still four more episodes of Cult left in the season, so it seems like the show can go anywhere. It's unclear how Kai will deal with the dissension in his ranks, especially his sister Winter.
American Horror Story: Cult airs Tuesdays on FX. In the meantime, check out our fall premiere list to plan your next binge watch.
