Navigating the Labyrinth of Friendship in a Digital World
“Bestie,” the opening episode of American Horror Stories Season 3, is a compelling narrative that sends shivers down the spine by merging themes of toxic friendships and the darker aspects of online communities. The episode forces viewers to confront questions about vulnerability, manipulation, and the lengths people will go to in the search for connection.
“After things go too far and Shelby ends up seriously injuring herself she befriends River, a boy at her school who’s also been bullied. As their friendship deepens, Shelby finds she has no further need for Bestie and her toxic friendship, but Bestie won’t be deterred and finds a way to get revenge.”
Bestie: The Master of Manipulation
The episode introduces us to Shelby, portrayed by Emma Halleen, a young girl grappling with the sorrow of losing her mother while fending off school bullies. In her moment of vulnerability, Shelby finds solace in an online friendship with Bestie.
“Bestie got close to her victims by finding things to bond with them over, capitalizing on their insecurities, and focusing on things that isolated them from other people.”
Unlike conventional horror antagonists, Bestie is a unique villain who knows how to play with emotions. By exploiting Shelby’s insecurities and isolating her from the rest of the world, she gains complete control over her. The episode ingeniously lays bare how friendships can turn from uplifting to oppressive, with the guiding mantra “face your fears” mutating into a sinister command.
A Riveting Turn: River’s Role in the Sinister Plot
As Shelby starts developing a new friendship with River, another victim of bullying, she believes she’s moved on from her toxic relationship with Bestie. But the episode delivers a shocking revelation—River is also under Bestie’s control.
“River told Shelby at one point that he’d been watching her the entire school year, which is about as long as she’d been talking to Bestie herself, so assuming Bestie was also manipulating River at the same time, she probably told him to kill Shelby in order to prove his faithfulness.”
River’s shocking betrayal, culminating in Shelby’s murder, exposes the lengths to which Bestie will go to maintain her control.
The Tragic Vortex of Online Communities
The narrative doesn’t just stop at showcasing toxic friendships. It delves deeper into the role that certain online communities play in escalating tragedies. Shelby initially meets Bestie through a community centered around the drag queen Ana Rehxia. These platforms often attract vulnerable individuals, providing a semblance of belonging and empowerment at a dreadful cost.
“Shelby had lost her mom and felt helpless and lost, but the Ana Rehxia community, and specifically Bestie, gave her a sense of belonging.”
Was Bestie More Than Just a Human?
One intriguing theory is that Bestie might be more than just a vengeful young girl. Given her manipulative skill and delight in orchestrating chaos, could she be some kind of eldritch entity?
“Far from being a young girl, it’s possible that she was some sort of ancient eldritch or demonic entity playing a game of strategy with human pawns.”
The Deception of Physical Ailments
The episode also highlights how disabilities can be manipulated for emotional gain. Both Bestie and River share physical limitations, which become another layer of their complex relationship. The episode leaves viewers wondering if Bestie’s claimed physical ailments were just another layer of her masterful deceit.
“His physical limitations were passable while hers weren’t, and the part of River that wanted to heal himself became protective of Bestie, who victimized herself in order to make him feel altruistic.”
The Silent Struggle of Shame and Fear
Shelby’s inability to share her dreadful experiences with anyone illuminates the complex web of emotions that can trap victims in toxic relationships and harmful communities. Shame, fear, and a distorted sense of loyalty and belonging can often cloud better judgment, keeping the victims silent until it’s too late.
“This episode of American Horror Stories showcased how shame, fear, and a need for control could keep victims like Shelby from telling anyone about their secret until they hit rock bottom.”
This riveting episode of American Horror Stories serves as a cautionary tale about the perils lurking in the corners of online communities and the complex psychology of toxic friendships. Far from being mere entertainment, it becomes a study in human vulnerabilities and the dark underbelly of our quest for connection.
