John Waters is getting high marks from fans for his performance in “American Horror Story: 13.”
The season is nearly half over, with six of its 13 episodes airing since September 24, and Waters has appeared in three of them.
Dressed in a long white lab coat, Waters plays Mr. Phibes, a phlebotomist who draws and analyzes the blood of a mysterious older man named Mr. Nas who needs around-the-clock care – and might be Satan.
A co-worker of Mr. Phibes is Constance Langdon, played by Jessica Lange, and Waters has a lot of screen time with her.
His character’s name is reportedly a nod to horrormeister Vincent Price, who played a “living corpse” named Dr. Phibes in the 1971 horror-comedy film, “The Abominable Dr. Phibes,” and its 1972 sequel, “Dr. Phibes Rises Again.” “You can’t [kill me],” Dr. Phibes taunts one character in the first movie. “I am already dead.”
‘I’m typecast’
When Waters, 80, announced his role in AHS at Baltimore Soundstage earlier this year, he hinted that it would be consistent with other roles he’s had – characters who are on the wrong side of the law or somehow on the outskirts of society.
“I’m typecast,” he said. “I’m always either the devil or Chucky’s father…I’ve always been trying to steal Vincent Price’s career.”
His fans are all for it.
“I feel like he’s perfect to fill Vincent Price’s shoes: of course in his own unique, fabulous way,” RJ Joseph wrote on social media. “The elegant, snarky, hilarious, slightly menacing older queer man is definitely an archetype that exists, and needs to be represented!”
“I love that he’s Dr. Phibes,” said Melody Horton. “Nice touch.”
“Love the nod to Vincent Price,” agreed Troy Knowles.
“Love him in this,” said Shawn Duquette. “Show has such a creepy vibe.”
“He is really good in this part and plays it so well,” said Lisa Angonese.
“He is perfect,” said Daniel Chamberlin.
“Loved his scenes with Jessica Lange in episode 4,” said Tammy Fulton Myrick. “Wish there was more of that!”
“The first 5 secs of him in the show, just creepy and sooo cringy,” said Stella Bebe. “HAIL JOHN WATERS!!!!!”
Joining the AHS Universe
Created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, AHS premiered on FX in 2011. Each season tells a self-contained story with different characters. The cast for Season 13 is a mix of stars who have appeared in previous seasons and others such as Waters who play characters new to the AHS universe. Besides Lange, returning stars include Sarah Paulson; Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts and Billie Lourd.
Filming for Season 13 began in April and wrapped up this summer. The episodes air on Thursday nights on FX and then stream on Hulu.
Scott Elkins, administrator of the john_waters_divine_trash_page fan website, wrote that Waters brings “a little sinister elegance to American Horror Story. The Pope of Trash knows exactly how to make a horror cameo feel perfectly wicked.”
Much of what Waters’ character does in the show is provide exposition that helps viewers follow the plot.
For example, the number ‘13’ comes up over and over, and Mr. Phibes explains that it “stands for instability, chaos.”
‘Totally written for him’
Commenter Rufus Drawlings noted that the dialogue in AHS seems to be written for John Waters-the-filmmaker, not Mr. Phibes-the-medical specialist.
At one point, for example, Mr. Phibes-the-phlebotomist talks about wanting to make a ‘biker movie’ – something Waters-the-filmmaker might say, since he made “Cry-Baby.” Mr. Phibes also has the same pencil-thin mustache that Waters does.
“Totally written for him,” Drawlings said of the dialogue. “The Pig Latin was in reference to ‘Pink Flamingos.’ The Corner Pocket gay bar in New Orleans (one I love) is known to be his favorite bar…He’s talked and written about rough trade, Kenneth Anger, and I’m sure he had a blast yelling, ‘Hail Satan!’”
Commenter Heather Pennington noted that a book in one character’s apartment was “John Waters: Pope of Trash,” the coffee table book from Waters’ 2023-24 career retrospective at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.
“Season 13 so far is full of Easter eggs,” observed Delphine Jeanne.
The final episode will air on FX on Oct. 29. Waters is expected to appear in two more episodes. His fans say they can’t wait.
As commenter Brad Hicks put it: “So far he is the best part of this whole season.’’
