Lena Dunham‘s highly anticipated performance as Valerie Solanas on “AHS: Cult,” a woman whom Dunham described as a “demented feminist prophet,” aired Tuesday night on FX. The dramatic role was Dunham’s first gig since saying goodbye to HBO’s “Girls” earlier this year. TV critics overall are praising Dunham’s debut performance on “American Horror Story,” though some have taken issue with her thick accent. Below, see a sampling of critics’ comments and then let us know what YOU thought of Dunham’s killer role by joining the discussion in our forums.
In the episode titled “Valerie Solanas Died for Your Sins: Scumbag,” we see the origins of Solanas’ murderous cult including the moment she shot Andy Warhol (a heavily disguised Evan Peters). The 1960s scenes were then juxtaposed with our present-day clown cult as Frances Conroy‘s character, a former girlfriend of Solanas, convinced the females that they need to take the power back from Peters’ cult leader Kai Anderson. The bloody “American Horror Story” hour was written by Crystal Liu and directed by Rachel Goldberg.
Here’s what TV critics had to say about Dunham’s “American Horror Story” performance:
Andy Swift (TVLine): “I was fully prepared to goof on Dunham and her Valerie Wig, but I was actually really impressed with her performance. It was funny and weird in all the right places, and I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen during her final confrontation with Warhol’s ghost.”
Molly Horan (AV Club): “Dunham’s performance overall was great. The accent could have been skipped.”
Kelsey Garcia (PopSugar): “Though Dunham was convincing as the unwavering activist who attempted to assassinate Andy Warhol in 1968, fans couldn’t help but ponder one recurring question: what was up with her accent?”
Sesali Bowen (Refinery29): “The star of this week was undoubtedly Lena Dunham, who guest starred in a role that could not have been more fitting for the writer and actor.”
Katie Storey (Daily Mail): “Lena Dunham makes an EXPLOSIVE arrival as she wields a gun and strips off for steamy scenes (including a lesbian romp) as Valerie Solanas.”
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