Summary
The spinoff to Ryan Murphy’sAmerican Horror Story,American Horror Stories, plunges viewers back into the depths of terror with its first two episodes, aptly titled “Rubber(wo)Man.” Set in the iconic Murder House of Los Angeles, this chilling series diverges from the traditional anthology approach of its predecessor, offering viewers a fresh storyline for each episode.
However, “Rubber(wo)Man” kicks things off by stretching across two episodes, weaving a sinister narrative that not only pays homage to the original series but also introduces new characters and horror elements.
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What is American Horror Stories: Rubber(wo)Man about?
American Horror StoriesSeason 1, Parts 1 & 2 is a twisted story about Michael (Matt Bomer), Troy (Gavin Creel), and their teenage daughter, Scarlett (Sierra McCormick), embarking on a macabre journey as they move into the infamous Murder House. Their ambitious plan? To convert the haunted mansion into a bed and breakfast for thrill-seekers and history enthusiasts. Unfazed by the supernatural legends that surround the house, Michael and Troy are skeptics who dismiss the chilling tales that have plagued the mansion for over a century.
Scarlett stumbles uponTate Langdon’s (Evan Peters) infamous rubber suit, hidden away in one of the house’s closets. Intrigued, she tries it on, only to discover its disturbing power. When the suit mysteriously reappears after her attempts to dispose of it, Scarlett gives in to its eerie allure. As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that Scarlett has her own dark past and an unsettling attraction to the more violent aspects of BDSM pornography. The narrative takes a sinister turn, delving into the twisted connection between tainted innocence and the embrace of malevolent spirits, who find solace in each other.
In a pivotal moment, Scarlett’s eyes turn completely black during her second encounter with the rubber suit, suggesting a supernatural influence at play. By the end of Part Two, Scarlett has committed numerous murders while wearing the suit, including the gruesome slaying of a group of mean girls who tormented her. Unfortunately for her victims, those who perish on the grounds of the Murder House are condemned to an eternity of haunting, keeping Maya (Paris Jackson) and her clique trapped in its eerie halls.
As “Rubber(wo)Man: Part Two” unfolds, several weeks have passed since Scarlett’s gruesome murder spree. During this time, she has crossed paths with another restless spirit, Ruby (Kaia Gerber), anda dark romance has blossomed. Both characters share a disturbing fascination with bloodshed and murder, making them a perfect match in the horrifying tapestry of the Murder House.
However, a shocking revelation occurs when Ruby discloses her own tragic past. She recounts being sent to live with her abusive Uncle Tony after her parents' alleged death, only to discover that they were alive all along but had abandoned her. This revelation explains Ruby’s violent inclinations andadds a layer of darknessto her character. Meanwhile, Michael and Troy’s once-solid marriage begins to crumble. Michael wishes to sell the house due to financial concerns and his eerie encounters with ghosts, including the infamous Piggy Man fromAHS: “Murder House." In contrast, Troy is determined to stay, leading to a fateful and gruesome end for both of them at the hands of Ruby.
How does American Horror Stories: Rubber(wo)Man end?
The two-part episode concludes witha chilling new era of ghostswithin the Murder House. Michael and Troy accept their roles as surrogate father figures to the teenage girls trapped in the house for eternity. Ruby temporarily steps back from her relentless murder spree among the other spirits haunting the Murder House. Meanwhile, Scarlett decides she is not ready to embrace the afterlife and continues to roam the earthly realm, donning the dreaded rubber suit to exact vengeance upon those who tormented her loved ones.
The episode closes with a haunting voiceover from Ruby, reflecting on the delicate balance of control in their relationship. She describes happiness as something to look forward to and finds solace in Scarlett’s annual return for one night of bliss.
“Rubber(wo)Man” not only pays homage toAmerican Horror Story’s iconic “Murder House” arc but also draws parallels between characters and themes from the original series. Scarlett’s journey from a new tenant to a homicidal figure mirrors the character arc of Violet Harmon. Initially introduced as an innocent newcomer to Murder House, Scarlett’s dark tendencies and eventual embrace of the rubber suit position her as the new Tate Langdon. Moreover, Scarlett’s potential future path seems to mirror that ofJessica Lange’s character, Constance Langdon. Just as Constance opted not to end her time on Earth and committed suicide, Scarlett may follow a similar path, becoming the unofficial living tenant of the infamous Murder House.
Both stories, despite their horrifying elements, ultimately conclude with a sense of domesticity and family. Just as the Harmon family found themselves together as ghostly entities around the Christmas tree in “Murder House,” “Rubber(wo)Man” offers a surprisingly happy ending. Scarlett and Ruby have forged a way to make their relationship work, and Michael, Troy, and the mean girls from Scarlett’s school coexist as ghosts in a semblance of domestic bliss.
American Horror Stories’ “Rubber(wo)Man” episodes offer a terrifying and thought-provoking storyline that delves into dark themes of love, violence, and the legacy of horror. With a fresh take on the anthology format and a return to the iconic Murder House, the series promises more spine-tingling tales that push the boundaries of terror and love in thetwisted world of American horror. In the end, it reminds viewers that even in the midst of horror, home can be where the heart finds solace, and dark love can be just as enduring as any other.
