Ryan Murphy’s New Series ‘The Shards’ Now Streaming on Disney+
Ryan Murphy has established a reputation for transforming true crime, camp horror, and stylish melodrama into some of television’s most talked-about series, including ‘American Horror Story’ and ‘Glee.’ His latest venture marks a notable tonal shift, adapting a novel that has long been recognized as one of the more unsettling coming-of-age tales in contemporary fiction.
This new project is ‘The Shards,’ based on Bret Easton Ellis’s semi-autobiographical novel of the same name. The series debuted on FX and Hulu in the United States on August 5 and is now available internationally on Disney+, offering global viewers their first glimpse of Murphy’s stylish and unsettling interpretation of the source material.
Set in 1981 Los Angeles, the narrative follows a 17-year-old version of Ellis during his final year at the elite Buckley prep school. His life is disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious transfer student, Robert Mallory, whose unsettling presence coincides with a series of murders committed by a serial killer known only as The Trawler.
This blend of teenage anxiety and creeping dread has already garnered attention from critics reviewing the series. Early reviews have lauded the show’s atmosphere and visual style, with one critic describing it as hypnotic and visually stunning, calling it one of FX’s most distinctive dramas in recent years, even if not every creative choice resonates perfectly.
Leading the cast is Igby Rigney, who portrays the fictionalized version of Ellis, delivering what critics have highlighted as a genuine breakout performance that anchors the show’s emotional core. He is joined by Homer Gere as the enigmatic Robert Mallory, with Kaia Gerber, Evan Rachel Wood, and Wes Bentley rounding out the ensemble.
Reviews indicate that the series does not function as a traditional, twist-driven thriller. Instead, it embraces a deliberately slow pace that encourages viewers to engage with discomfort, unreliable narration, and morally ambiguous characters. This approach has led to some division among critics, with some praising its commitment to mood while others feel the narrative occasionally falters under the weight of its own atmosphere.
Despite the mixed critical reception, with the show currently holding a 54 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, ‘The Shards’ has resonated well with audiences right from the start. The series reportedly ranked among the most-watched titles on both Disney+ and Hulu within its first day of release, demonstrating that Murphy’s brand still holds significant appeal with streaming viewers, regardless of critical opinion.
‘The Shards’ is just one part of a busy upcoming slate for Murphy, who also has ‘American Horror Story’ returning to FX for its thirteenth season this September. This new installment is being promoted as a greatest-hits season, featuring fan-favorite characters and cast members from across the franchise’s history.
As Murphy continues to juggle multiple high-profile projects, ‘The Shards’ stands out as one of his more atmospheric and slow-burning efforts, trading some of his typical camp sensibility for a moodier and more restrained approach. Whether this shift will pay off in the long run remains to be seen as audiences continue to engage with the series and its remaining episodes.
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