Chapter 4

"Chapter 4" of American Horror Story: Roanoke punctuates the central arc of the season with an intense escalation of horror that explores further the terrifying mythology woven around the Roanoke house and its shadowy past. Directed with confident pacing and a keen stylistic eye by Marita Grabiak, this episode distinguishes itself by deepening the narrative complexity and amplifying the emotional stakes, culturing its blend of supernatural terror with human frailty and desperation. The episode unfolds in a manner that feels both like a native extension of the season's found-footage-mockumentary device and a standalone horror experience laden with vivid imagery and unnerving atmosphere.

The story traces Shelby and Matt's vulnerability as they continue to weather a haunting that now actively bleeds into their physical surroundings, manifesting through violent attacks and spectral interference. In a particularly memorable scene, the mysterious man with a pig's head terrorizes them yet again-an emblematic figure of the grotesque and primal horror lurking outside the veil of reality. Their protector, Dr. Elias Cunningham (Denis O'Hare), re-emerges to provide both exposition and a temporary shield, introducing the ominous power of the word "Croatoan," which is steeped in dark magic and linked directly to the fate of the Roanoke colony and its sinister curse. This infusion of lore, layered with chilling tales of past atrocities including the presence of psychotic nurse sisters and cultish entities, significantly enriches the narrative tapestry.

Marita Grabiak's direction exemplifies a sophisticated handling of suspense and visual storytelling. The episode utilizes a muted, shadowy color scheme complemented by claustrophobic framing to heighten tension, while the interplay of cinematic reenactments and shift-filtered documentary interviews maintains the immersive aesthetic. The editing ensures a dynamic rhythm that mirrors the characters' escalating panic without sacrificing clarity or coherence. The sound design, interspersed with bone-chilling silences and subtle ambient noises, further intensifies the unsettling atmosphere. However, some viewers and critics noted moments where the visual darkness hindered the ability to discern certain details, a trade-off between mood and narrative transparency.

Performance-wise, the cast delivers compelling portrayals that anchor the outlandish plotlines in emotional realism. Sarah Paulson's Shelby embodies fractured strength, her terror palpable yet nuanced with moments of fragile hope. Cuba Gooding Jr.'s Matt gradually reveals a complex mix of protectiveness and growing disorientation, while Angela Bassett's Lee Harris, absent this episode yet felt in narrative echoes, remains a looming presence. Denis O'Hare injects a mournful resonance with Dr. Cunningham's doomed scholarly investigation, his character a tragic historian swept into the supernatural maelstrom. Supporting players such as Cricket add layers of devil-may-care humor and poignant sacrifice, balancing the episode's grim tone.

Thematically, "Chapter 4" investigates the cyclical nature of violence and the haunting weight of history. The interplay between the historic Roanoke colony's mysterious disappearance, the blood magic associated with the "Croatoan" curse, and the present-day horrors faced by the Millers interrogates the idea of inescapable ancestral trauma. The episode merges American folklore with occult horror traditions, weaving a tapestry that evokes witchcraft, colonial guilt, and spiritual vengeance. This thematic richness elevates the horror beyond mere spectacle, challenging viewers to consider the indebtedness of the present to the sins and sufferings of the past.

Narratively, this episode excels in expanding the mythos while maintaining personal stakes for characters caught in supernatural crossfire. The revelation about the blood moon's cyclical power and its intensification of ghostly strength broadens the horror's scope, linking individual suffering to cyclical cosmic forces. Yet, some criticism arises due to moments where exposition overshadows character development, especially as the pace briefly slackens under the weight of intricate backstory. Some viewers perceive a formulaic repetition in character responses, particularly the tendency to repeatedly underestimate their peril.

Within the broader context of American Horror Story's place in horror television, "Chapter 4" underscores the series' continuing evolution toward psychological and folklore-infused horror. It distances itself from the flamboyant excess and gothic flamboyance of prior seasons, favoring atmospheric tension and layered mystery. The episode's blending of documentary realism and cinematic horror exemplifies modern television's experimental narrative forms. Its cultural references-from the use of the "Croatoan" legend deeply embedded in American colonial folklore to its allusions to pagan rites and multigenerational curses-situate it within a long tradition of horror that dialogues across media, history, and collective memory.

In this installment, Roanoke also remains self-aware of its genre's tropes, using the mockumentary and found footage framing as a meta-commentary on horror consumption and the commodification of trauma for entertainment. The characters' repeated vulnerability and near-fatal mistakes evoke the genre's familiar patterns, yet are cast in sharper relief by the show's critical eye toward sensationalism and authenticity in horror storytelling. This reflexivity adds intellectual depth, asking viewers to reflect on their role as voyeurs of fear and spectacle.

Ultimately, "Chapter 4" succeeds in being both a terrifying episode and a meaningful chapter in the season's unfolding narrative. Its strengths lie in immersive direction, intricate myth-building, and strong performances, providing a harrowing yet richly textured horror experience. While sometimes slowed by narrative exposition and occasional character clichés, its atmospheric dread and thematic ambition allow it to stand out. This episode reminds audiences that horror is not only the presence of terrifying entities but also the shadow of historical trauma, the cyclical nature of violence, and the human struggle to confront and survive the darkest legacies.

"Chapter 4" exemplifies American Horror Story: Roanoke's mix of innovative storytelling and classic horror motifs, advancing the season's narrative momentum with cinematic flair and psychological depth. It challenges viewers to engage with horror both emotionally and intellectually, blending visceral scares with an exploration of history's ghosts and the stories we inherit. The episode's deft balancing of suspense, mythos, and character tension makes it a worthy installment in a series that continually reinvents itself while paying homage to the macabre traditions it draws from.

Shelby and Matt are at home discussing what happened at the woods, when suddenly they are attacked by a man with a pig head. Out of the blue, Dr. Elias Cunnigham appears and protects them, saying the word "Croatoan". He explains that the word is dark power and shows Matt and Shelby the historic of the house that he keeps to write a book in the future. He shows that every blood moon in October is the blood moon and during six days, the ghosts become more powerful, and the cycle starts that night. Matt and Shelby mention the name of Pricila and Elias tells them that he knows where she likes to be. Soon they are attacked, Elies is murdered, and they return home, where they stumble with Crocket. He tells the story of The Butcher and her colony, and how she poisoned and killed the settlers. Now Crocket intends to help the Millers to retrieve Flora. Will they succeed?

"Chapter 4" is an episode of the "American Horror Story" that gives the sensation that the story goes nowhere. The plot about The Butcher and the colonist is told in detail The viewer is also introduced to an evil witch. The rest is basically the same. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Chapter 4"

Why oh why couldn't they get people who can either do accents or are indeed Irish? Made it really awful to listen to.