It’s pretty rare that I go into a movie having only learned of it shortly before. It’s something that I really do love but not an opportunity that presents itself that often. I had heard about Queens of the Dead maybe two hours before I sat down to watch, so saying that I knew nothing about it, well, it really is an understatement. Nevertheless, I was very excited to dive into my first Tina Romero directed film. Romero is the daughter of horror legend George Romero (as in the father of the zombie movie genre as we know it).

To say that Tina Romero had big shoes to fill would be unfair; no one could ever take the place of George Romero, but to continue his legacy with another Of the Dead film, she was going to have to present something new which was a bit unexpected and undeniably special. I’m happy to report that she definitely did both. The film is very different from that original run, and to say that it’s special kind of undersells it. This movie really has the juice, as the kids say (they may not still say that; I am often behind on the hip new lingo).

It was very clear from the opening moments of this film that everyone involved was having a great time. Everything about this movie was over-the-top and flashy and neon in the best of ways. The look felt very ’80s while still somehow contemporary and fresh. The music was all over the map, from catchy synth score to modern dance to fun alternative rock. The entire film was designed to draw you in and either make you smile or laugh or cringe and sometimes, it was all three at the same time. It was always a blast and a half.

The fun really begins with casting, and for this Romero put together a strong group of mostly LGBTQIA+ actors who came to play. Led by Katy M. O’Brian (Love Lies Bleeding), the ensemble also includes Jaquel Spivey, Riki Lindhome, Tomás Matos, Dominique Jackson, Nina West, Cheyenne Jackson, Margaret Cho, and Quincy Dunn-Baker. Shew, did you get all that? Everyone was amazing, but my favorite character was probably Barry (Dunn-Baker), who was your typical straight white man who, despite appearances, is super accepting of everyone and tries his best to be supportive, even though he knows his mental limitations. He isn’t the smartest, but he’s trying his best. It’s honestly really sweet.

The story kicks off and is really about something simple: putting on the best drag show in town to attract people back to their failing club. That’s it. Everyone just wants to put on a good show and get the business flowing again. Of course, this isn’t a normal night. The zombie apocalypse happens to put a damper on things and as the city goes into lockdown, things get stranger and stranger. Friendships are tested, relationships are formed, strengthened, and broken. There is an overall theme of acceptance and how important that is, but it’s never forced. It always feels earned and pays off well because of it. I’m saying there was a message, but we’re never beaten over the head with it. It’s smart.

This movie has so many things going for it, but I just want to highlight a few. Tina Romero did an incredible job bringing this world to life. From the look to the music, everything was well done. The cast did an amazing job playing off one another, and their chemistry was pretty great. It was funny. Not all of the jokes were out-of-the-park home runs, but far more of them landed than didn’t. I laughed out loud quite a few times, and my cheeks hurt a bit after. Lastly, it had heart. It didn’t matter what was going on or what over-the-top trope was playing out in front of us, underneath it all, there was still a beating heart. We cared about these people.

The only thing I would want to change about this film was the pacing and not even consistently. Mostly, it moved from thing to thing with purpose and got us to where we were going, but there were two or three scenes that I felt could have been trimmed down. That said, it’s a nitpick. My attention isn’t what it once was, and the pacing problems that I felt very well could have been (and probably were) a me problem. Still, I often find myself wanting to re-edit films after I’ve watched them, so that isn’t new.

If you like horror comedies that toe the line between silly camp and serious discourse, then you need to watch Queens of the Dead. It really did a perfect job of balancing everything. Also, I’m not sure this is a horror comedy so much as it is a comedy with a few horror elements? This isn’t a knock. The film knew what it was, it just isn’t the most easily definable. It is a very good time, and in the end, that’s all that matters. Call it whatever you want, it’s great.

Tina Romero really did her father proud here, but she doesn’t need anyone to tell her that. The series that began with Night of the Living Dead in 1968 has always carried messages about our society during those given moments. In ’68 it was about the inequality of race being tackled by George Romero, and today Tina is addressing that same issue for the LGBTQIA+ community. That’s something horror has always done and it faces the issues head-on. Sometimes people get it, sometimes they don’t, but it’s always there. Honestly, I can’t wait to see what Romero does next. Queens of the Dead slayed.