Stream it: This missed series is inspired by one of cinema’s most controversial films

For its eleventh season, the anthology series American Horror Story was inspired by the long-controversial and much-discussed film: Cruising by William Friedkin — who died on August 7. Hated by its lead actor, Al Pacino – who today prefers to forget – and part of the LGBT+ community, this anti-Hollywood classic is still remembered today, more than forty years after its release.

In the American horror story, the story takes us back to the infamous and scorching New York of the early eighties, or rather to 1981. It is an important year because it coincides with the first cases of the AIDS epidemic. Added to this threat is the threat of a serial killer lurking in the gay community. With the help of two journalists, the investigator in the closet begins a race against time to stop the carnage.

A political, bloody and exciting season – especially in the last episode of his funeral – this installment pays homage to William Friedkin’s thriller to better restore it. In Cruising, the plot is similar: a serial killer attacks members of New York’s sadomasochistic society. An undercover cop played by Al Pacino will try to arrest him.

When the film began filming in 1979, protests erupted. The gay community criticized the production for portraying the worst clichés. Even filming could not be stopped. Finally, director William Friedkin continues his work as best he can. Paradoxically, many men in society agree to act as extras.

Upon its release, Cruising was controversial due to both violence and graphic scenes. This is the first time New York’s underground society has been featured in a mainland film. Some sequences go so far as to cut Cruising by 40 minutes for its final cut. This missing part would be lost today.

American Horror Story: New York City is available on Disney+.