Ryan Murphy has been a relentless force in television, churning out hit after hit across every platform imaginable. His latest project, The Shards, has taken the streaming world by storm, but not without its fair share of controversy. Despite a lukewarm critical reception, the show has become an undeniable audience favorite, climbing to the top of Disney+'s charts in record time.
Based on Bret Easton Ellis's semi-autobiographical novel, The Shards transports viewers to 1980s Los Angeles, where a young aspiring writer named Bret (Igby Rigney) navigates an elite social circle. The arrival of a mysterious new student, Robert Mallory (Homer Gere), coincides with a series of brutal killings targeting teenagers, plunging Bret into a world of paranoia and intrigue. The show's blend of nostalgia, seduction, and suspense has proven irresistible to subscribers, even as critics remain divided.
Critics vs. Audiences: A Tale of Two Scores
On Rotten Tomatoes, The Shards currently holds a 55% critic score, with an even harsher 35% audience rating. Critics have been quick to point out the show's stylistic excesses, with the consensus noting that the Murphy-Ellis collaboration "relegates itself to obtuse style with mildly entertaining substance." Collider's Gabrielle Moss observed that "the most shocking thing about The Shards might be how not shocking it is," while ScreenRant's Graeme Guttmann accused Murphy of sanitizing Ellis's source material.
Yet, not all reviews were negative. CBR's Chris La Vigna hailed the series as a "masterful meditation on many things," highlighting its thematic depth. This critical divide hasn't dampened audience enthusiasm, as the show has surged to the top of FlixPatrol rankings across multiple Disney streaming services, including Hulu and Disney+.
A Streaming Phenomenon in the Making
The success of The Shards is a testament to Murphy's enduring appeal, even when his work fails to win over critics. This isn't the first time his projects have defied expectations—last year's All's Fair was widely panned yet still found an audience. With The Shards, Murphy proves once again that he knows how to capture the public's imagination, even when the reviews are mixed.
For fans of Murphy's other work, there's plenty to look forward to. The next installment of the Monster anthology has a premiere date, and American Horror Story Season 13 is set to bring together some of the franchise's biggest stars. Murphy is also developing an untitled vampire project, ensuring his schedule remains as packed as ever.
If you're looking for more horror recommendations, check out our list of the best horror movies since 2010 or dive into top R-rated horror trilogies. For those intrigued by Murphy's style, HBO's unsettling horror-comedy The Baby offers a similarly twisted take on genre conventions.
New episodes of The Shards air Tuesdays at 9 PM ET on FX and stream on Hulu and Disney+. Stay tuned for more updates on this unexpected streaming hit.
