The spine-chilling anthology series American Horror Story has a penchant for grounding its fictional horrors in real-world locations and events. While the fifth season, “Hotel,” draws heavily from the infamy and lore surrounding the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles, the series was not actually filmed within the building’s actual walls.
The Cecil Hotel’s Dark Legacy and AHS Inspiration
The Cecil Hotel, recently rebranded as Stay on Main, boasts a macabre history that has captivated true crime enthusiasts and horror fans for decades. From serial killers like Richard Ramirez (the “Night Stalker”) and Jack Unterweger residing within its walls to the mysterious death of Elisa Lam, the hotel has become synonymous with tragedy and unsettling occurrences.
Ryan Murphy, the creator of American Horror Story, openly acknowledged the Cecil Hotel as a significant source of inspiration for “Hotel.” The season’s Hotel Cortez, a fictionalized art deco landmark riddled with dark secrets and supernatural entities, mirrored the Cecil’s notorious reputation for violence, addiction, and unexplained deaths. The series even included thinly veiled references to the Lam case, adding to the unsettling realism that underpinned the fictional narrative.
However, despite the clear thematic connections and inspiration, filming primarily occurred on a custom-built set at FOX Studios in Los Angeles. The set design meticulously replicated aspects of the Cecil Hotel’s architecture and atmosphere, capturing its distinctive art deco style and ominous ambiance.
FAQs: Unraveling the Mystery Behind AHS and the Cecil Hotel
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to further clarify the relationship between American Horror Story: Hotel and the real-life Cecil Hotel:
Q1: Why Didn’t American Horror Story Film at the Actual Cecil Hotel?
There are several factors that likely contributed to the decision to build a set instead of filming on location. These include:
- Logistical Challenges: Filming within an operational hotel, even one with a troubled past, would present significant logistical hurdles. Coordinating cast, crew, and equipment, while minimizing disruption to guests and residents, would be a massive undertaking.
- Creative Control: Building a set allowed the production team complete creative control over the environment. They could modify the layout, lighting, and décor to perfectly suit the needs of the story, something impossible to achieve in a real-world location.
- Cost Considerations: While location shooting can be cost-effective in some cases, the extensive modifications and accommodations required to film within the Cecil Hotel for an entire season might have ultimately proven more expensive than building a set.
- Sensitivity Concerns: Given the hotel’s history of tragedy and the sensitive nature of some of the events portrayed in the series, filming on location could have been perceived as exploitative or disrespectful to the victims and their families.
Q2: What Specific Elements of the Cecil Hotel Inspired Hotel Cortez?
The American Horror Story production team drew inspiration from various aspects of the Cecil Hotel, including:
- Architecture: The art deco style, long hallways, and grand lobby of the Cecil Hotel served as a visual blueprint for the Hotel Cortez.
- History of Violence: The Cecil’s history of murders, suicides, and other crimes directly influenced the Hotel Cortez’s own dark and bloody past.
- Serial Killer Residents: The presence of Richard Ramirez and Jack Unterweger at the Cecil provided a chilling backdrop for the Hotel Cortez’s own resident serial killer, James Patrick March.
- The Elisa Lam Case: The circumstances surrounding Elisa Lam’s death, including her strange behavior in the elevator and the subsequent discovery of her body in a water tank, were heavily referenced in the season’s narrative.
Q3: How Did the Set Designers Recreate the Cecil Hotel’s Atmosphere?
The set designers meticulously researched the Cecil Hotel to create an authentic and unsettling atmosphere. They employed a variety of techniques, including:
- Replicating Architectural Details: Paying close attention to the hotel’s art deco design, including its distinctive signage, ornate lobby, and long, dimly lit corridors.
- Using Period-Appropriate Decor: Employing furniture, artwork, and accessories that reflected the hotel’s history and character.
- Creating a Sense of Decay: Incorporating elements of wear and tear, such as peeling paint, stained carpets, and flickering lights, to convey a sense of neglect and disrepair.
- Employing Lighting and Shadows: Using lighting to create a sense of unease and suspense, highlighting the hotel’s darker corners and hidden passages.
Q4: Was the Cecil Hotel Involved in Any Way with the Production of American Horror Story: Hotel?
No. While the Cecil Hotel served as a major source of inspiration, the actual hotel was not directly involved in the production of American Horror Story: Hotel. The show’s creators did not film there, consult with the hotel owners, or receive any official endorsement from the Cecil.
Q5: Did the Cecil Hotel Experience Increased Attention After the Release of American Horror Story: Hotel?
Yes. The release of American Horror Story: Hotel undoubtedly brought increased attention to the Cecil Hotel, albeit in a complex and potentially detrimental way. The show amplified the hotel’s already notorious reputation, attracting both curious tourists and morbid thrill-seekers.
Q6: Is the Cecil Hotel Still Open? What is it like Today?
Yes, the Cecil Hotel has undergone extensive renovations and reopened as Stay on Main. It now operates primarily as a housing project for low-income individuals. The renovated space is designed to be modern and clean, in stark contrast to the unsettling atmosphere often associated with its past. While attempts have been made to distance the property from its darker history, its legacy inevitably remains.
Q7: Are There Other Hotels Known for Similar Dark Histories?
Yes, several other hotels share similar reputations for attracting crime, tragedy, and unexplained occurrences. Examples include:
- The Stanley Hotel (Estes Park, Colorado): Famous for inspiring Stephen King’s The Shining.
- The Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast (Fall River, Massachusetts): Site of the infamous Borden murders.
- The Langham Hotel (London, England): Reputedly haunted by several ghosts, including a Victorian doctor who murdered his wife and himself.
Q8: How Did the Cecil Hotel’s Residents React to the Show American Horror Story: Hotel?
Reactions varied among those who lived at the Cecil Hotel. Some found the show exploitative and disrespectful to the victims of tragedies that occurred there. Others were indifferent, while a few even expressed morbid curiosity. Because the series didn’t film there, there wasn’t a widespread community reaction beyond those of viewers following the series.
Q9: What Happened to the Hotel Cortez After the Events of American Horror Story?
Within the American Horror Story universe, the fate of the Hotel Cortez is left somewhat ambiguous at the end of the season. We know it continues to exist, with the ghosts of its former residents trapped within its walls. Future seasons of American Horror Story have made references to the Cortez, confirming its continued existence and supernatural activity.
Q10: What Was the Critical Reception of American Horror Story: Hotel?
American Horror Story: Hotel received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised its visual style, performances, and exploration of themes like addiction, sexuality, and mortality. Others criticized its convoluted plot, excessive violence, and reliance on shock value.
Q11: Where Can I Watch American Horror Story: Hotel?
American Horror Story: Hotel is available for streaming on various platforms, including Hulu and Amazon Prime Video (depending on your region). It is also available for purchase on digital platforms like iTunes and Google Play.
Q12: Are there other episodes of American Horror Story based on real hotels?
While no other season directly mirrors a specific hotel like “Hotel” did with the Cecil, American Horror Story frequently draws inspiration from real-life locations and events. For example, “Cult” references the Manson family, and “Asylum” is inspired by stories surrounding mental institutions of the past. The series is known for blurring the lines between fiction and reality, creating an unsettling and compelling viewing experience.
Ultimately, American Horror Story: Hotel successfully tapped into the dark allure of the Cecil Hotel, creating a fictionalized world of horror and intrigue that captivated audiences. While the actual filming did not take place within the Cecil’s haunted halls, the hotel’s legacy remains indelibly linked to the show’s disturbing narrative.