Summary
I love that every episode ofAmerican Horror Storiesis a dark take on familiar horror elementsand am intruiged by the upcoming fourth season, which will premiere on October 15th, 2024 as part of Hulu’s fun Huluween event. The past three seasons have featured impressive storylines that manage to surprise even the biggest and smarest horror fans.
TheAmerican Horror Storiesepisode “Bloody Mary"is a scary and riveting take on the urban legend that has been featured in pop culture for several decades. However, I also think another episode of the Ryan Murphy horror anthology series lives up to its intriguing premise.Here’s why I thinkAmerican Horror Stories"Tapeworm,” which stars Lisa Rinna, is one of the most unforgettable episodes.
Why Lisa Rinna’s American Horror Stories “Tapeworm” Episode Is Great
InAmerican Horror Storiesseason 3, episode 3, “Tapeworm,” Vivien Lee Finch (Laura Kariuki) is an aspiring model who Sheila Klein (Lisa Rinna) says is too heavy to succeed. When Sheila tells her to go to a doctor who uses “ancient methods” to help models lose weight,Vivien ends up dropping pounds via a terrifying and dangerous tapeworm. By the end of the episode, the tapeworm has killed Vivien and now Heather Billings (Hazel Grave), her fellow model friend, takes her place in the industry.
Just likethe episode “Bestie” takes on virtual friendship, “Tapeworm” shows the dangers of weight loss and anorexia. Although there are some gross and gruesome scenes in this episode,I think it’s one of the strongestAmerican Horror Storiesepisodes because of its take on eating disorders and the unfair beauty expectations of the modeling industry.
I like “Tapeworm” for two reasons:Rinna’s strong performance and the character of Vivien. Rinna plays Sheila as an evil yet mysterious figure, and while she isn’t the person who gives Vivien the tapeworm, she is responsible for this horrifying situation.
It’s true thatotherAmerican Horror Storiesepisodesfeature memorable premises and characters who viewers are unsure about. One moment, someone seems likable, and then by the end of the episode, they’ve been revealed as a true villain. Vivien is easy to root for since she’s kind and ambitious. Her likable nature makes what happens to her even more terrifying.
American Horror Storiesfans appreciated the theme of the episodeand shared their thoughts onReddit. One Redditor said they could guess the ending, which is the one flaw of the episode. I agree that from the moment Vivien and her big dreams are introduced, it’s clear she won’t survive, but I still think the ending is powerful. The fan wrote:
“Mondify was like a thinly veiled Ozempic, but I loved the idea of a tapeworm presented in a little ornate box. This episode reminded me a bit of ‘The Neon Demon’ crossed with ‘Thinner.’ Wish it wasn’t so predictable, though. Similar premise to the last two episodes. Something that initially helps you ends up aiding in your destruction. I sense a theme here.”
Another fan compared theAmerican Horror Stories"Tapeworm" episode toAmerican Horror Storyseason 12, which is calledDelicate.That season also starsKim Kardashian as the creepy character Sibhoan Corbyn. The fan wrote:
“I thought this episode was a good companion to Delicate because they both delve into similar themes of how far you are willing to go for stardom.”
What Other Projects Has Lisa Rinna Starred In?
Lisa Rinna is an actress and reality TV star who is best known for starring on Bravo’sThe Real Housewives of Beverly Hillsfrom 2014 to 2022. Rinna also played Taylor McBride on the ’90s dramaMelrose Placeand Billie Reed for several decades ofDays of Our Lives. In 2024, she toldParade.comthat she was happy to have time for more acting roles after leavingThe Real Housewives, and she starred in the Lifetime movieMommie Meanest.
Rinna also told Parade about the kind of character she hopes to play in the future. She said:
“Oh well, I want to murder somebody and I want to do a horror story and I want to get murdered. Those are all three things I’ve never played as an actor and, you know, I really enjoyed working with my Ryan Murphy…I’d love to go do a series with Ryan. That’s like top of my bucket list.”
