The history of adaptations of cult author Bret Easton Ellis' (62) work is mixed. While "American Psycho" with Christian Bale (52) is considered a masterpiece, other adaptations have partly fallen short of expectations. Often, what seemed to be lost was precisely what distinguishes Ellis' works: his distinctive narrative voice and its unmistakable tone.
Bret Easton Ellis is now directly involved in the new psychological drama series "The Shards" himself. He shared the duties of series creator with "American Horror Story" and "Monster" creator Ryan Murphy (60). The first two episodes of the FX production will be available on Disney+ starting August 6, followed by weekly releases.
What "The Shards" is about
"The Shards" is set at a privileged high school in 1980s Los Angeles: aspiring writer Bret (Igby Rigney, 23), the seemingly perfect Susan (Kaia Gerber, 24), and charismatic new student Robert (Homer Gere, 26) live in the luxury villas of their wealthy parents, arrive at school in Porsche or Mercedes convertibles, and wear exclusively sinfully expensive clothing. An amusing parallel to reality: Kaia Gerber is the daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford (60), Homer Gere the son of actor - and Crawford's ex-husband - Richard Gere (76). So the luxury L.A. setting shouldn't be entirely unfamiliar to either of them.
But the apparent idyll during Bret and company's senior year is deceptive. A serial killer is terrorizing their city. One by one, teenagers are disappearing. Have they become victims of the so-called "Trawler", who is deliberately targeting them - or is Bret merely imagining the events?
Why "The Shards" is worth watching
Life at a high school, a killer on the loose, teenagers who think they're closer to solving the case than the authorities - such setups have been seen frequently in film and television history. Similar examples include "Élite", "One of Us Is Lying", or "Pretty Little Liars". But in "The Shards", much is different.
All of the series' characters appear rather unsympathetic. The usual concept of protagonists that viewers can identify with is taken to absurdity here - much like in the aforementioned masterpiece "American Psycho".
This is where "The Shards"' greatest strength lies. The series immerses viewers in a world that feels both dangerous and seductive. Compared to the serial killer "Trawler" storyline, the milieu depicted here seems almost even more terrifying. The Los Angeles of "The Shards" is populated by narcissistic, cruel people. Compassion? Nonexistent!
The authentic 1980s flair conveyed through the production design, music, and the series' distinctive aesthetic also ensures that older viewers in particular will feel transported back to that era. The extreme summer heat in southern California and the excessive parties become even more tangible through this retro portrayal - making the atmosphere all the more oppressive.
