Queens of the Dead Review | A Glamorous Queer Horror Comedy Inspired by George A. Romero

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George A. Romero fundamentally changed horror cinema. His Dead films didn’t just create zombies as we know them today – shifting them from their roots in voodoo to the flesh-eating monsters popular in movies and TV – but also used the genre to powerfully address important social issues like racism and consumerism, all while keeping audiences thrilled. It’s fitting that eight years after his death, his daughter, Tina Romero, is continuing his legacy with Queens of the Dead, her first feature film, and offering her own unique take on his iconic formula.

Queens of the Dead starts like many zombie stories: a mysterious outbreak turns people into flesh-eating monsters, and a bite means you’re doomed to join them. However, like the classic Dead films, this movie isn’t focused on how the outbreak happened. Instead, it follows a group of people—mostly those stuck inside a queer nightclub after a drag show is cut short—as they try to survive the undead.

Tina Romero’s film fully embraces the vibrant and exciting world of drag queens, using makeup, music, and big personalities as central themes. However, while visually stunning, Queens of the Dead suffers from a weak plot. The movie relies more on creating a specific atmosphere and feeling, so your enjoyment will likely depend on your familiarity with queer culture. It’s commendable that the film celebrates LGBTQIA+ subcultures, but a more developed script would have allowed it to capture the insightful social commentary and captivating storytelling style of George A. Romero.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

PROS CONS
Glamorous and vibrant drag show setting with strong visual identity Underdeveloped script lacking narrative focus
Energetic and charismatic cast fully committed to their roles Minimal horror and tension despite the zombie premise
Positive representation and celebration of LGBTQIA+ subcultures More style and vibe than substance or structure

Queens of the Dead Is Charming, but Lacks a Bite

Most of Queens of the Dead takes place inside a nightclub during a zombie apocalypse, focusing on how the people trapped inside relate to each other. A separate story follows characters trying to reach the club to find family and friends, but it doesn’t really connect to the main plot until the very end. Throughout the film, we see LGBTQ+ individuals dealing with the stressful situation and sometimes clashing with each other. This creates a backdrop for the director, Tina Romero, to openly discuss important issues like prejudice against LGBTQ+ people, gender identity, hormone therapy, societal expectations around relationships, substance abuse, and the search for self-discovery – all through quick, pointed dialogue and by making the underlying meaning clear.

Though Queens of the Dead has good intentions and deserves praise for its diverse cast, it doesn’t quite succeed as either a horror or comedy film. The zombie attacks are infrequent, and the characters rarely face real danger, which removes any sense of suspense. While the movie has some funny moments, it doesn’t fully lean into satire or the ridiculousness of a zombie apocalypse. Ultimately, Queens of the Dead feels more like a series of character-driven scenes – glimpses into the lives of queer individuals – connected by the backdrop of a zombie outbreak, focusing on their everyday experiences and emotions.

The movie manages to be somewhat enjoyable thanks to its appealing visuals and enthusiastic performances. The actors in Queens of the Dead clearly had fun with their roles, embracing the costumes and chaotic world, and that energy is contagious. Jaquel Spivey and Katy O’Brian deliver particularly strong and moving performances, proving their talent, and Nina West’s character, Ginsey, is a bright spot whenever she appears.

Beyond the story, Queens of the Dead really shines visually, thanks to beautiful cinematography by Shannon Madden. The film is full of striking images, especially during the musical numbers. In fact, the entire technical crew worked hard to make every scene look fantastic, which helps to compensate for the simple storyline written by Tina Romero and Erin Judge.

Ultimately, whether a strong story matters in a movie is a personal preference, and viewers will decide if the visuals in Queens of the Dead are enough to make it worthwhile. However, the film feels like it could have been great, given the talented cast and crew, but it lacks a compelling central plot to truly captivate the audience.

Queens of the Dead brings the party to theaters on October 24th.

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2025-10-22 14:13