Netflix releases a lot of original shows, and the quality can vary. However, they consistently deliver excellent adult animation. Shows like *Arcane*, *Castlevania*, *BoJack Horseman*, and *Big Mouth* are all well-made and clearly created with passion. This makes their new series, *Haunted Hotel*, particularly noteworthy. The show’s creator, Matt Roller, previously wrote for the popular animated series *Rick and Morty*, raising expectations. Thankfully, *Haunted Hotel* doesn’t disappoint – it’s funny, surprisingly touching at times, and cleverly plays with common horror themes.
The animated series *Haunted Hotel* takes place in a spooky, cursed hotel that draws in ghosts and supernatural dangers, preventing anyone who dies there from ever leaving. After the hotel’s owner, Nathan (voiced by Will Forte), passes away, his sister Katherine (voiced by Eliza Coupe) inherits the struggling business and moves in with her children, Ben (voiced by Skyler Gisondo) and Esther (voiced by Natalie Palamides). She quickly learns that Nathan’s spirit still lingers, and he tries – though not always successfully – to help her manage the hotel. Adding to the unusual mix is Abbadon (voiced by Jimmi Simpson), a former demon now stuck in the body of a child since the 1700s.
The first few episodes of *Haunted Hotel* take their time, carefully building the show’s intricate backstory, introducing the main characters, and hinting at its quirky blend of horror and comedy. Though this slower start might feel a bit drawn out, it’s worth it. The series quickly picks up speed, with each episode becoming more inventive and demonstrating how well the show can balance dark humor with heartfelt stories about family and our feelings about death.
Rating: 4/5
| PROS | CONS |
| Witty and heartfelt take on the horror genre | Starts slow |
| Memorable and well-voiced ensemble cast | Occasional over-reliance on tropes |
| Densely packed with clever jokes and visual gags | |
| Surprising emotional depth |
Haunted Hotel Is a Clever and Affectionate Deconstruction of Horror
Okay, so going in, everyone’s going to ask if this show is the next *Rick and Morty*. And yeah, structurally, it’s pretty similar – each episode feels like its own little story, but there’s definitely a larger character arc building throughout the season. But where *Rick and Morty* took aim at sci-fi, this show is all about horror. We’re talking classic monsters – werewolves, serial killers – but also a lot of fun poking at the silly side of the supernatural. Like, why *can* ghosts walk through walls, but why don’t they just fall through the floor? It’s clever stuff.
Roller’s love of horror shines through in every scene, creating scripts that both honor classic horror tropes and playfully satirize them. This is amplified by the quick, comedic timing Roller developed working on *Rick and Morty*. The show is full of recurring jokes, quick visual gags, and wonderfully bizarre details in the background that you’ll notice if you pay close attention. While not as frantic as *Rick and Morty*, *Haunted Hotel* still offers a lot to take in with each viewing. And despite episodes averaging only 25 minutes, they feel completely full of story and laughs.
While *Haunted Hotel*’s clever take on horror is its biggest strength, it also highlights a weakness. The show sometimes relies too much on familiar horror tropes, making some episodes feel like skillful recreations rather than truly new stories. However, this is a small issue overall, as the show is still excellent adult animation. Even when the plots feel familiar, the witty writing and, especially, the fantastic characters make the supernatural elements feel real and engaging.
A Memorable Ensemble Brings Haunted Hotel to Life
The success of a horror-comedy hinges on its characters, and *Haunted Hotel* really delivers in this area with a cast you won’t soon forget. Each character is well-developed and unique, and the talented voice actors bring them to life beautifully. The show is also smart about sharing the spotlight, giving each main character their own dedicated episodes. This ensures everyone gets a chance to shine, even if some characters seem more promising at first.
Nathan Forte consistently delivers a strong performance. As the only ghost among the main characters, he offers a fresh, unique perspective on the supernatural world, sharing what it’s like to be newly deceased. His struggles to adjust to life without a body are often hilarious, and the animators cleverly showcase his ghostly form by having him playfully pass through walls and other solid objects. Meanwhile, Simpson’s Abbadon frequently steals scenes with his grumpy attitude – a consequence of being a weakened demon – and his complete lack of understanding of modern life. Abbadon consistently makes every scene better, and he’s arguably the star of the season finale, which is considered the best episode of *Haunted Hotel*.
Despite a slightly slow beginning and some predictable moments, *Haunted House* is a fantastic watch, especially for those who enjoy horror and dark comedy. It’s cleverly written, beautifully animated, and features a great voice cast. The show perfectly balances scares and humor, offering a surprisingly touching story about family and life after death-all wrapped up in a delightfully chaotic world of ghosts and demons. As spooky season approaches, *Haunted Hotel* is an ideal way to start the celebrations on Netflix.
Haunted Hotel is now available on Netflix.
https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/best-animated-horror-tv-show/embed/#
Read More
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Will Solana’s Short-Term Holders Save the Day or Just Make a Fuss?
- The Superman sequel story is…..
- Exit, rebuild, repeat — Intel’s new era begins without Holthaus
- Shiba Inu’s Mysterious Golden Cross: A Tale of Woe and Wonder 🐶💰
- USD IDR PREDICTION
- Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Reveals Why Akaza Didn’t Die Despite [Spoiler]
- KAS PREDICTION. KAS cryptocurrency
- BNB’s Boring Stroll Near $660: Is a Breakout Just a Yawn Away? 🤷♀️
- MIT Brothers’ Google History: A Comedy of Errors 🤣
2025-09-19 10:10