American Horror Story - Asylum DVD

Content: Welcome to Briarcliff! Where once sick people were shielded from the public eye, in 1964 mentally ill and (supposedly) insane felons are housed. To the outside world, the mental institution has a good reputation, thanks to the methods of Monsignor Timothy Howard (Joseph Fiennes). But behind the walls of Briarcliff, things are very different. Here, Sister Jude (Jessica Lange) rules with a hard hand and the shady Dr. Arthur Arden (James Cromwell) torments many a patient with his dubious treatment methods. When young Kit Walker (Evan Peters) is committed to Briarcliff, accused of being the notorious serial killer Bloody Face, it calls journalist Lana Winters (Sarah Paulson) into action. Not only does she want to get exclusive information about Bloody Face, but she also wants to look behind the facade of the asylum. But this has fatal consequences: when Sister Jude finds out about her, she has Lana committed in order to cure her of her lesbian tendencies. Only in the good-natured Dr. Oliver Thredson (Zachary Quinto) does she seem to have found an important confidant who might help her escape from Briarcliff. But neither Lana, nor Kit have any idea what nightmare lies ahead for them - a nightmare that still hasn't ended nearly fifty years later...

The concept Ryan Murphy (Nip/Tuck, Glee) came up with for American Horror Story proves to be a brilliant move with Asylum at the latest. In each season, a self-contained story is told, which stands out not only dramaturgically, but also stylistically from the others. Individual actors, such as Jessica Lange, Evan Peters or Sarah Paulsen are in several seasons, but always play completely different roles. So on the one hand, American Horror Story has a certain recognition value and a very specific, recurring character. On the other hand, the series is able to reinvent itself from year to year and offer the viewer variety in a way that is denied to other series.

Common to all previous seasons is that the series is difficult to pigeonhole. It is not pure horror that is on offer here. There are also elements of psychological thriller, drama, black humor, and fantasy. There are episodes where this mix doesn't quite work out, but overall it gives the series a very special atmosphere that is truly unique in the current series landscape. Added to this is excellent camera work, which at times is even on a cinema level, as well as the outstanding work of the sound designers and decorators. The way the sets, lighting, and sounds have brought Briarcliff to life here is nothing short of magnificent.

However, the second season of American Horror Story is not entirely free of weaknesses. There are some plotlines that only work to a very limited extent, and the resolution, despite some successful aspects, can't live up to the high expectations that were carefully built up over the first nine episodes. Thus, Asylum repeats the only really major weak point of the first season. Again, the finale left a somewhat disappointing aftertaste. Taken on their own, the final episodes of each of these first two seasons are good to very good television fare. But since the exposition is really great in both cases and the viewer's expectations are extremely raised by it, good average just isn't enough to satisfy them.

However, even though there are a few minor flaws and some dramaturgical hangs, Asylum is again a testament to what a good, non-conformist and refreshingly original series American Horror Story is. If you liked the first season and are prepared for a slightly more convoluted narrative structure, this second box set can also be warmly recommended. Absolutely recommended!

Picture + Sound: The dark atmosphere of the series, the wonderfully morbid décor and the excellent camerawork are shown to excellent advantage thanks to the high image sharpness, the coherent colouring and the very good contrasts. In some moments, the picture can easily keep up with larger cinema productions and thus reveals the high quality of current TV productions. The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix sound is also convincing. The rather directional mixed dialogues are contrasted by some successful sound effects, which provide for a successful use of the surround channels and thus for an overall very atmospheric sound carpet. Goosebumps are guaranteed more than once here! Good!

Extras: There are some extras worth watching on the third and fourth DVDs. DVD 3 has just under 6:30 mins of deleted scenes to offer. Disc 4 offers a total of four featurettes that provide a good overview of the season and its production. The Guardians (approx. 8:39 min.) is a documentary-style short film about Briarcliff. What is American Horror Story: Asylum is an interesting overview of the storylines and themes of this second season (approx. 21:02 min.). Welcome to Briarcliff Manor (approx. 14:28 min.) is a look at the great sets that is worth seeing. And The Creatures (approx. 14:14 min.) is all about the masks and effects used to bring the various creatures to bloody life this season. Good!

Conclusion: American Horror Story finally reveals in its second season the genius of its concept of telling a self-contained story with new characters - some embodied by the same actors - in each season. Even if Asylum is not quite as straightforwardly constructed as season 1 and it gets a bit confused towards the end, there are still enough successful goosebump moments, some shocking surprises, suspense and original ideas that make this series a very special highlight for all horror fans. The DVD box presents the episodes of this second season in very good picture and sound quality and also offers some extras worth seeing. For this there is a more than deserved: Absolutely recommendable!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp