American Horror Story, Countess’ (Lady Gaga) “Iron Maiden” Trap

original movie prop

Centered on the mysterious Hotel Cortez in Los Angeles, California, that catches the eye of an intrepid homicide detective (Bentley). The Cortez is host to many disturbing scenarios and paranormal events, and is overseen by its enigmatic matron, The Countess (Gaga), who is a bloodsucking fashionista. The hotel is loosely based on an actual hotel built in 1893 by H. H. Holmes in Chicago, Il. for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. It became known as the 'Murder Castle' as it was built for Holmes to torture, murder, and dispose of evidence just as is the Cortez. From the 2015 season American Horror Story: Hotel, this is the Countess’ “Iron Maiden” trap. We first spot Vendela and Agnetha, the Scandinavian tourists in the Hotel Cortez neon light up iron maidens. Later in the season, Ramona finds herself in one. With all of the horrors taking place in the Hotel Cortez, these wrought iron cages seem like a particularly dangerous place to be kept. You never know which ghost is going to approach and there is nowhere to run. Controlled by remote and still in working order the Iron Maiden lights can be changed to any color needed for filming.