The next season of FX’s American Horror Story may revolve around a much more modern urban legend, as Internet creepypasta/part-time video game antagonist Slender Man may play a large part in the sixth season of the show.
In the past American Horror Story has added its own spin on a number of existing horror tropes, from a carnival freak show, to a haunted house and, most recently, to a The Shining-esque creepy hotel, but according to Us Weekly the next season will be looking to the Internet for inspiration. Quoting an unnamed “insider,” the magazine reads: “Someone else wrote the script, and AHS wants to adapt it to fit the show. They have to buy the rights. Then they’re going to figure out the cast from there.”
While this is obviously all speculation, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility that American Horror Story chooses to adapt the mysterious and ever-expanding Slender Man lore into its next season. With it having initially been created by a member of the Something Awful forums, the character intrigued users enough that it look on a life of its own from there, going on to inspire the creation of a genuinely creepy (though quite long-winded) YouTube series from the channel Marble Hornets, before moving into video games with Slender and its sequel Slender: The Arrival.
The character, known for its featureless face, thin body and black suit, has successfully infiltrated pop culture since its humble beginnings, and AHS could certainly capitalize on its appeal with there being enough room for the show’s creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk to go in their own direction with the character.
You can one of Marble Hornets’ videos featuring Slender Man below:
