Hazbin Hotel season 2 review: Hell’s most ambitious project has a score to settle with naysayers

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Renovated to near perfection, the Hazbin Hotel is open again for business in season 2.

Wow, it’s been over a year since that hotel was completely destroyed! That fight with Adam and those exorcists really pushed Charlie (Erika Henningsen) and her crew to their limits. They barely made it out alive, honestly – it was a close call!

Whether Hell can truly be redeemed is still a huge question, particularly now that its leaders have gone their separate ways. To make matters worse, Vox (Christian Borle) is trying to take advantage of the disruption Charlie has caused.

The future is uncertain for both the characters and the show itself. While Hazbin Hotel has a dedicated fanbase, the first season received varied reactions from critics, putting pressure on the second season to deliver.

Vivienne Medrano’s new show doesn’t hold back, launching with a wild and musical energy that fully embraces its chaotic nature. This unpredictability often works brilliantly, because the show confidently establishes and sticks to its own unique style. However, some issues carried over from the first season could prevent it from becoming a beloved classic.

Hazbin Hotel initially took a more cautious approach than its companion series, Helluva Boss. While it still featured mature humor, musical segments, and the contrast between hellish struggles and lighthearted fun, it was generally less extreme. This was a smart move as a new show transitioning from a YouTube pilot to Prime Video, and it proved successful. Now that the show is established and secure, creator Vivienne Medrano is letting the wilder, more surreal style of Helluva Boss influence Hazbin Hotel.

Similar to what happened with Helluva Boss in its second season, Hazbin Hotel really finds its footing. The story continues to explore the complex relationship between good and evil, and a dangerous threat emerges that directly impacts Charlie and her friends.

From the beginning of the first season, the Vees – think of them as the popular, mean girls of hell – were shown to be increasingly dangerous. They openly caused trouble, but were often overlooked, creating a feeling of dread for the audience who understood the threat that Charlie didn’t. Now, with Vox gaining power, that dread is becoming very real as he helps the Vees become incredibly powerful.

The story has grown more complex, with dangers coming from both outside and inside, creating chaos and upheaval. This richer setting finally allows us to learn more about fan-favorite characters like Sir Pentious and Alastor, and also introduces new figures like Baxter, Abel, and The Speaker of God.

Every new character introduced to Hazbin Hotel feels like it has a purpose, but similar to some characters in season one, their potential isn’t fully explored. This is likely because the show has already been renewed for a third season and some storylines are being saved for later. The biggest disappointment comes with one particular character we were hoping to see more of, who remains mysteriously distant and out of reach, which is frustrating for viewers.

Despite introducing new characters, Hazbin Hotel has done a good job of keeping both old and new faces interesting. Abel, in particular, is a fun contrast to his father, Adam, and viewers are eager to see more of him. This is especially true because of his complicated relationship with Lute (Jessica Vosk), who was just starting to explore her desire for revenge in the first season.

These elements combine to create a powerful mix of feelings, inspiring the amazing songs written by Sam Haft and Andrew Underberg.

Listeners have already gotten a taste of some of the show’s memorable songs, including “Hazbin Guarantee (Trust Us)” and “Gravity,” which reached number 52 on the UK Singles Chart. This reminds me of Helluva Boss; its music was much stronger than Hazbin Hotel’s because it fully committed to being a musical, while Hazbin Hotel’s first season only hinted at that possibility.

The show initially stuck to a strict pattern of including two songs per episode. While the songs were always well-made, this formula felt predictable and didn’t allow for the same emotional impact as seen in Helluva Boss. The music itself was never weak, but Hazbin Hotel now benefits from a more flexible approach to its soundtrack, which has allowed it to truly find its voice and mature.

Season 2 of Hazbin Hotel attempts to cover a lot of ground in just eight episodes, and this is ultimately where it falls short. The short, 25-minute length of each episode forces a rushed finale, and generally doesn’t give the story enough time to develop fully. Adding just one or two more episodes would have allowed the season to breathe and tell its story more effectively.

Without giving away any key plot points, the season felt a little too tidy and complete. While some loose ends remain, it’s hard to imagine what further developments could realistically happen at this point.

The initial slow release of episodes has definitely given way to a much faster pace this season. Hopefully, Prime Video will allow the show to develop naturally, instead of forcing it to fit the typical eight-episode format many streaming series use.

Hazbin Hotel is a sprawling world; it needs to be given room to stretch its legs properly.

Season 2 of Hazbin Hotel premieres on Prime Video on October 29th. You can try Amazon Prime Video for free for 30 days.

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2025-10-27 19:36