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Lead Critic for the site, as well as serving as an editor when needed.
American Horror Stories Season Two Episode Three, titled “Drive,” is, again, written by series veteran Manny Coto and is now directed by Yangzom Brauen. Once again, thankfully, the narrative is kept key and we were given another great story set in the American Horror Story universe.
As usual, some spoilers will be discussed here.
This week, the lead of Bella Thorne, playing the part of Marci, was actually perfect given the twist we get, and considering her role in other horror projects, satisfying as well. While I prefer last week’s leads of Gabourey Sidibe and Max Greenfield, Thorne still gets the job done.
Opposite Thorne is Anthony De La Torre, who plays Chaz, her husband in their open marriage; along with Nico Greetham, Billie Bodega, and Austin Woods. The rest of the cast is great all the way around, particularly Greetham and De La Torre.
Coto’s premise of American Horror Stories this week seemed to take inspiration from urban legend serial killers, and in a very small way, revenge thrillers, although more of the former. Furthermore, there could also be another small take from his time on Dexter, as I felt that, while it was slightly there in some form, there was a huge dilation between that character’s motivations and Thorne and De La Torre’s at the end of the episode.
Urban Legends and Revenge Thrillers
While I personally had never actually heard of this one until now, there is an apparent urban legend of a serial killer (or a random crazy person) that would sneak into the backseat of people’s cars. Typically, he would attempt to attack the driver, usually a vulnerable woman. Although, another driver in a car behind would chase, tailgate, honk and flash their high beams at the former driver. Every attempt that the apparent killer made to attack the woman, the other driver simultaneously flashing their high beams and honking would prevent this attack. However, the driver is usually not successful and after the said person makes it home, they are attacked in their driveway.
This urban legend is repeated to Thorne’s Marci by her best friend Piper, played by Bodega. Now, Greetham’s Paul does act this out and attempts to warn Marci at the beginning of the episode. However, that’s all wrong, as we learn right in its last moments that the apparent serial killer attacking vulnerable women and others at nightclubs is actually Marci herself, along with the help of her husband Chaz, played by De La Torre. Similar to Dexter, Marci and Chaz bury their victims on their own, only here it’s in their cellar and backyard, compared to Dexter’s use of the ocean.
Whereas Dexter was also a serial killer that felt the urge to purge, Marci has the same urge, while Chaz just seems to love his wife. Despite the fact that he cannot really stand their open marriage and even proposes a separation between the two until Marci reconnects with him and they kill Piper in the closing of the episode. Dexter took out other serial killers, so in some way, he was a sort of vigilante, but Marci’s reason is that she was bullied in school, due to a birthmark on her face and neck. Therefore, she felt the urge to rid the world of any and all forms of bullies, misogynists, and the like… so who is really the good guy here?
There’s a small dilation of revenge thrillers as well. After she learns it was Paul who attempted to run her off the road at the beginning, Marci’s actions throughout the episode result in her tracking him down after seeing him at another nightclub, showing up to his job at a home store, and even sneaking into his house, before inevitably capturing and killing him with Chaz’s help.
Thorne’s role was also a shocking turn for her, as she’s dabbled in horror before, albeit always ending up on the short end of the stick by the end of the movie or show. Her characters have been killed in the Scream television series pilot, twice in Netflix’s Babysitter films, and in Amityville: The Awakening. With that said, it was extraordinary to see her take on a role reversal in American Horror Stories and to also lead an episode as well.
Cinematic Aspects
Coto continues to lead the way for horror TV writing and is one of the best writers in the American Horror Story universe. It’s also appreciable that he continues to take some inspiration from modern-day things, with last week’s “Aura,” and this week with some urban legend inspiration. While it might also not be intentional, it’s exceptional to catch beats from his other work on TV shows such as Dexter.
Brauen’s direction gets the job done, and paired with Thomas Mitchell’s editing, creates a great atmosphere for the thrill of this episode. There’s a really cool zoom shot of Thorne in a nightclub that’s a classic thriller technique. This season continues to be less “scary” and attempts to hit other beats of the horror genre and Brauen was a perfect director for the tone this episode wanted to project.
Final Thoughts on This Week’s American Horror Stories
It was awesome to see Woods and Greetham again in the universe, as well as introduce Thorne to American Horror Stories. The episode overall was terrific and I really enjoyed it. Although, I have to say that, while it didn’t top the first two, it still did a perfect job, and it was great that we got more narrative with a solid story. As usual, we got some more crazy characters in Marci and Paul, which is always welcoming. Piper was a solid best friend as well, even though in the end it kind of bites her in the rear.
It was prominent this week that we got another sub-genre of horror: thrillers. The biggest thing American Horror Stories brings to the American Horror Story universe is that it can give the creators more to deliver to viewers in terms of each episode being a different sub-genre of horror. The Season Two premiere gave us Child’s Play-esque vibes, “Aura” gave us a take on modern-day horrors like a Ring Doorbell, and here we get some thriller action mixed with other small takes from Coto’s other works. It all rounds out very well in the end and hopefully, they can keep this pattern going every week. I’m thoroughly enjoying this season.
American Horror Stories Season Two Episode Four will air next Thursday, as part of FX on Hulu, and the rest of the American Horror Story universe is streaming right now on Hulu.
Are you enjoying this season of American Horror Stories? Let us know! As always, keep it right here at The Cinema Spot for more horror-related news and reviews!
Lead Critic for the site, as well as serving as an editor when needed.
This article was edited by John Tangalin.