American Horror Story: Coven is the third season of the popular American anthology horror television series, American Horror Story. It originally aired from October 2013 to January 2014. Coven revolves around a group of witches living in New Orleans, specifically at Miss Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies. The coven is led by Fiona Goode, portrayed by Jessica Lange, who is the Supreme, the most powerful witch of her generation. Fiona's arrival at the academy disrupts the existing power dynamics and sets off a chain of events that uncover dark secrets and test the unity of the coven. The storyline of Coven focuses on themes of witchcraft, power, and femininity.
Based on the actual Voodoo Queen of New Orleans , Bassett’s Marie Laveau was a powerful voodoo practitioner and community leader in New Orleans. A shrewd entrepreneur, her work extended beyond personal gain. From the American slavery era to Jim Crow to the present-day, she used her abilities to uplift and protect the New Orleans’ Black residents. Although not on the friendliest of terms, Marie also created a truce between her voodoo practitioners and the witches in the city.
Viola Davis Amarie Amma Treadeau in Beautiful Creatures did not have to sacrifice herself as she does in the book series; however, she s a conduit of wisdom and guidance to the white main characters. But, when you think of those who steer clear of this pitfall, one iconic character who comes to mind is Angela Bassett s Marie Laveau from American Horror Story Coven.
The storyline of Coven focuses on themes of witchcraft, power, and femininity. It delves into the struggles and conflicts faced by the witches both within their coven and in their interactions with the outside world. The competition to identify the next Supreme and the quest for immortality drive the narrative forward, leading to numerous twists and betrayals.
AMERICAN HORROR STORY: COVEN’s Marie Laveau Is a Supreme Witch
The Magical Negro trope is an incredibly pervasive character portrayal in many film genres. A Black character uses their efforts to guide a more privileged, white character to their goals. This comes at the expense of their own pursuits, often leading to them giving their lives for the cause. This describes many Black characters in horror, like Dick Halloran in The Shining and Jezelle Gay Hartman in J eepers Creepers . Mysticism and Blackness typically mean stereotypes will reign supreme.
Unfortunately, the portrayal of Black witches tends to follow the stigmatizing elements of this trope. But, when you think of those who steer clear of this pitfall, one iconic character who comes to mind is Angela Bassett’s Marie Laveau from American Horror Story: Coven . The third season of Ryan Murphy’s critically acclaimed anthology series brought audiences to Louisiana with a story full of witches, ghosts, and serial killers. Viewers initially followed a private school of witches in New Orleans. But the story became entrenched in a battle of magical forces: the coven versus the voodoo practitioners of Marie Laveau.
Based on the actual Voodoo Queen of New Orleans , Bassett’s Marie Laveau was a powerful voodoo practitioner and community leader in New Orleans. A shrewd entrepreneur, her work extended beyond personal gain. From the American slavery era to Jim Crow to the present-day, she used her abilities to uplift and protect the New Orleans’ Black residents. Although not on the friendliest of terms, Marie also created a truce between her voodoo practitioners and the witches in the city.
Her focus was to protect her community and seek revenge against those who dared to threaten it. Based on how she gave multiple AHS: Coven characters a run for their money, she did a good job. Whether it was through raising hordes of zombies, creating powerful potions, or simply using her charisma, Marie Laveau was a force to be reckoned with. Interestingly, she’s often painted as a villain. But her moral compass ultimately leaned towards keeping her community safe. This is a woman who recognizes her power and intelligence and isn’t afraid to use them. Her “by any means necessary” mentality kept her and her fellow practitioners protected. In the very end, she brought hell to her enemies. And it was glorious.
Unlike many magical Black characters, she did not use her abilities at the expense of her well-being. And she certainly would not make a sacrifice for her white counterparts. In “The Replacements,” Marie is asked by Cordelia Goode (Sarah Paulson), daughter of the reigning Witch Supreme, Fiona Goode (Jessica Lange), to perform a fertility spell. Marie laughs at the thought of ever helping her or Fiona’s fellow witches.
This is a far cry from the Black witches whose narratives are built around protecting white leads. Black witch portrayals prior to and after Bassett’s award-nominated take on Marie Laveau seldom do this. Witches like Bonnie Bennett (and her grandmother) from The Vampire Diaries consistently showcase their increasingly powerful abilities. Still, they lose everything to protect mostly white protagonists.
Viola Davis’ Amarie “Amma” Treadeau in Beautiful Creatures did not have to sacrifice herself as she does in the book series; however, she’s a conduit of wisdom and guidance to the white main characters. Within the book, her character is the nanny to Ethan Wate. An amalgamation of her book character and a librarian, Amma is the keeper of caster knowledge. Unfortunately, she isn’t developed beyond fulfilling a caretaker role within the film.
The recent Chilling Adventures of Sabrina delivers a bevy of Black witches. Rosalind is a conduit for what she calls “the cunning,” Marie LaFleur is a voodoo practitioner, and Prudence and Ambrose dish out powerful spells as a witch and warlock, respectively. But even Rosalind and Ambrose fall prey to providing wisdom and sacrificing their needs for their white counterparts.
Granted, nothing is above critique. As great as Bassett’s rendition of Marie was, there is also room to explore Black witches beyond the parameters of voodoo. We see this in exceptions like Rochelle and Tabby from The Craft and The Craft: Legacy . Fringilla in The Witcher , Prudence in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina , Abigail in Motherland: Fort Salem , and even in Gabourey Sidibe’s Queenie in American Horror Story: Coven all deliver magical Black witches who aren’t aligned with voodoo.
Their sources of power vary and they do not always use it for ill intentions. It is a reflection of the multitudes that Black people can be, something we need more of in media. If only everyone could follow Kasi Lemmon’s film Eve’s Bayou, which shows witches with a wide range of personalities and motivations.
Angela Bassett’s rendition of Marie Laveau was an entryway into how we can imagine Black witches onscreen. Perhaps one day we will see them running their own covens or working solo, having flaws, and not sacrificing themselves for others’ sake. The door is wide open so let more Laveau-like witches enter.
The season also incorporates elements of horror, mystery, and history. It explores the dark history of witchcraft in America, including the infamous Salem witch trials and the racial tensions of New Orleans voodoo. The show combines supernatural elements with real-life events and societal issues, creating a unique and captivating viewing experience. American Horror Story: Coven features a star-studded cast, including Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, and Emma Roberts. Each actor delivers compelling performances that bring the complex characters to life and add layers of depth to the storytelling. The season received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, with praise for its performances, narrative, and visual style. It also garnered several award nominations and wins, solidifying its place as a standout installment in the American Horror Story series. Overall, American Horror Story: Coven is a compelling and darkly entertaining season that explores the world of witches with a fresh and intriguing perspective. Its blend of horror, history, and complex characters make it a must-watch for fans of the genre and the series as a whole..
Reviews for "The Witch Trials: A Historical Context for the American Horror Story Witch Coven"
- John Smith - 2/5 stars - I found American Horror Story: Coven to be incredibly disappointing. While the premise of a coven of witches could have been intriguing, the execution fell flat for me. The story felt scattered and the characters lacked depth. It seemed like the show relied too heavily on shock value and gore, rather than building a compelling narrative. Additionally, the pacing was slow and I found myself losing interest in the storyline. Overall, I was left underwhelmed and did not enjoy this season of American Horror Story.
- Sarah Johnson - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to watch American Horror Story: Coven, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The plot was all over the place, with too many subplots that were never fully explored. The characters, while played by talented actors, lacked depth and motivation. The show didn't effectively develop the relationships between the characters, making it difficult to invest in their journeys. Overall, I found American Horror Story: Coven to be a chaotic and unfocused season that didn't capture my attention or leave a lasting impression.
- Emily Thompson - 3/5 stars - American Horror Story: Coven had potential, but it didn't quite deliver for me. While there were some interesting elements, such as the historical backdrop and the exploration of witchcraft, the execution fell short. The storyline was convoluted and at times confusing, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the world of the show. Additionally, I found some of the characters to be poorly developed, with their actions and motivations often feeling inconsistent. While there were some standout performances, overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed by this season of American Horror Story.