Ryan Murphy's New Show Starring Kaia Gerber Is Yet Another Flop With 41% on RT

On August 5, The Shards, a new series from Ryan Murphy, creator of American Horror Story, premiered on Hulu and FX. The show is based on Bret Easton Ellis' novel of the same name, into which the author incorporated elements of his own life story.

Although it was one of Murphy's most anticipated projects, the series proved to be yet another disappointment for his fans.

What Is 'The Shards' About?

The story is set in the early 1980s. 17-year-old Bret is a high school senior living in Los Angeles. He dates the beautiful Debbie, but he is secretly in love with his childhood friend, Susan, who is involved with the highly popular Thom.

A new student named Robert Mallory joins their class and immediately fits in with their group of friends. Bret is certain that he met Robert at a movie theater a year earlier, but Robert denies it.

Meanwhile, a serial killer begins terrorizing the city, and a cult that may be linked to the murderer emerges. Bret suspects that Robert might be behind the crimes.

Instead of a Plot, 'The Shards' Has Glossy Nostalgia and Wealth Porn

The Shards is an endless stream of beautiful nostalgia: characters browse vinyl shops and drive expensive cars. The series practically screams about how vibrant and aesthetically pleasing life in the 80s was.

Yet alongside the nostalgia, the creators attempt to depict the era's horrors, such as serial killers and cults. However, the contrast falls flat – the show discusses danger but fails to evoke any sense of it.

Instead, viewers are presented with wealth porn: an endless indulgence in luxury and beautiful people. Questions about the characters' parents and their activities at school are simply not meant to arise.

Actors in their mid-twenties play 16-year-old high schoolers. While we are accustomed to this convention, it does nothing to make the show feel realistic. Wealth pours off the screen, accompanied by cliches – it's laughable to watch the characters discuss the pretentiousness of a friend who owns an expensive horse.

'The Shards' Opts for Banal Drama and Weak Intrigue Instead of a Tense Thriller

The central hook of the series – Bret's suspicions about Robert – has yet to gain traction. Two of the eight episodes were intended to build toward the core premise, but that never happened.

In this case, the maniacs and cults serve as both literal characters and metaphors for the fear of growing up and the challenges the protagonists face. However, the creators are far more interested in the melodramatic elements.

Bret faces virtually no real obstacles, and the influence of society is never examined. He's simply perpetually dissatisfied and unable to decide what he wants, and his obsessive interest in Robert seems illogical.

Although the show is partly based on Bret Easton Ellis' real-life memories, the adaptation lacks the depth of the original. The Shards is yet another Ryan Murphy project that relies entirely on striking visuals and beautiful characters.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Shards'?

• The Shards has 54% from critics and 41% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 5.9/10.

Where to Watch 'The Shards'?

The Shards is available to stream on Hulu.