A month ago, creator Ryan Murphy revealed some details regarding his inspiration for the latest season of AHS: Hotel
“There was a surveillance video that went around two years ago that showed a girl getting into an elevator in a hotel that was said to be haunted … and she was never seen again.”, Murphy said in reference to the mysterious circumstances surrounding the 2013 death of a Canadian woman who was a guest at the Cecil Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, CA (a topic we talk about briefly in episode 37 of the podcast). The body of 21-year-old Elisa Lam was recovered from a water talk atop the Cecil, twenty days after she went missing. Maintenance workers at the hotel found the body while following up on guest complaints of their water tasting “funny”.
I have a feeling that this won’t be the only inspiration Murphy will be drawing from the Cecil Hotel. Its history is rich in horribleness. From being the reported residence for several serial killers (Richard Ramirez, & Jack Unterweger), as well as being the site of a significant number Hollywood suicides, his hands are overflowing with material.
Let’s meet the cast, in a minor spoilers kinda way…
In this trailer titled “Halls”, the casts characters are finally brought to light. Chloe Sevigny & Wes Bently are Alex & John Lowe. John is a detective following a trail of grizzly murders, & Alex, a pediatrician whos profession might be the reason for all of the creepy kids…but that’s currently unclear. Kathy Bates (Misery) is Iris. The building manager who has major problems with a druggy named “Hypodermic Sally”, played by Sarah Paulson (Martha Marcy May Marlene). Angela Bassett is back, taking the role of Ramona Royal-actress, & former love of the Countess Elizabeth (played by Lady Gaga). She’s a socialite, owner of Hotel Cortex, & infected with an “ancient blood virus” causing cravings for human blood. But she’s not the only one. Donovan (Matt Bomer), & male model Tristan (Finn Wittrock) also share this curse. Yes, yes, yes. Not even a Gaga fan, & already so into this. In typical AHS fashion, theres a handful of more cast member that I’m sure we’ll talk more about in the future, including the H.H. Holmes inspired character played by Evan Peters. Bottom line, I have a feeling I’ll make it further in Hotel, that I did in Freak Show.
Also…this might be a shot in the dark, but I did see a blender full of blood, which lead my terrible mind to the Vampire of Sacramento himself, Richard Chase. Good him if you want your day ruined.
Season 5 of American Horror Story: Hotel will premiere on FX on Wednesday, Oct. 7th.
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