If You Love George A. Romero’s Zombie Films, You Need To See This New 93% RT Approved Undead Comedy

Queens of the Dead is a great horror comedy from the daughter of an icon in the genre. Directed by Tina Romero, Queens of the Dead follows in the tradition of great comedic zombie riffs like Shaun of the Dead and Warm Bodies, using the tropes and imagery of classic horror narratives as surface-level complications for their character-driven comedies.

Queens of the Dead deploys a sly sense of humor and overtly LGBTQ perspective that breathes fresh life into the undead story. Along the way, the film also finds room for some effective character beats and genuinely unsettling moments. Like the best horror comedies, Queens of the Dead is also a solid zombie movie, and a must-watch this Halloween.

Queens Of The Dead Is A Delightful Take On The Zombie Sub-Genre

Queens of the Dead takes a lot of cues from previous zombie movies while also having a lot of campy fun with the concept. Like the best zombie movies, Queens of the Dead brings together an eclectic group of survivors who have to struggle to overcome the undead and escape from a zombie-infested New York City.

All of them have connections with Dre’s club, home to a popular drag show that is preparing for a massive Halloween celebration when a zombie outbreak hits New York City. The film (as well as many other zombie movies) pulls from the classic entries in the genre, specifically the works of George A. Romero.

This makes perfect sense, considering that the film’s director and co-writer is Tina Romero, George’s daughter. As a whole, Queens of the Dead feels like a tribute to the work of Tina’s father while still feeling very much like their own movie. Tina’s approach includes zombies that wouldn’t feel out of place in a Romero film.

The ways Queens of the Dead adds modern touches like overtly LGBTQ characters and club culture, adding unique layers to the sib-genre. There’s a focus on character dynamics and growth, with themes about self-actualization and acceptance playing into the arcs of characters like Sam, Nico, and Barry without ever distracting from the scary tropes and gruesome deaths.

The film feels like a spiritual successor to Romero’s “Of The Dead” trilogy, especially when it comes to social satire. Whereas Dawn of the Dead played on the commercialism and political militarization of the 1980s, Queens of the Dead leans into commentary about internet culture and the irresistible draw of cell phones to poke fun at modern society.

That isn’t to say the movie isn’t scary. For all of its emotional character beats and darkly comedic gags, there are some genuinely effective horror turns. Sudden attacks by the undead or the introduction of an infected swarm of rats raise the stakes, especially as the club’s efforts to keep the dead away start to fall apart.

Lizzy’s efforts to save an infant late in the film is one such standout moment, a deeply unsettling visual that brings a new kind of terror to the scene. What makes the film ultimately work is the cast, who all bring their A-game to the comedic and emotional dynamics.

With Katy O’Brian and Jaquel Spivey taking charge alongside a strong supporting cast (that includes Nina West, Riki Lindhome, Tomas Matos, Jack Haven, Cheyenne Jackson, Dominique Jackson, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Tomas Matos, Quincy Dunn-Baker, and a scene-stealing Margaret Cho), it infuses the typical zombie tropes with a clear sense of personality and character.

The arcs, especially for Spivey’s Sam and Matos’ Nico, are emotionally effective and even uplifting at times. It turns into a likable and entertainingly fun riff on the genre that never stops feeling like an authentic zombie movie. Queens of the Dead is a delight for fans of films that fuse comedy and horror together.