Following within the footsteps of her father, the late George A. Romero, who is probably finest identified for Night time of the Dwelling Lifeless, director and co-writer Tina Romero dips her toes into the zombie pool with Queens of the Lifeless. The movie is a horror-comedy that’s by no means actually both, however it wears its coronary heart on its sleeve, getting by with a sport forged led by Katy O’Brian and a good-natured spirit.
On the subject of the zombies, Romero, who co-wrote the script with Erin Choose, has little curiosity in explaining how the lifeless turned strolling corpses able to assault folks in New York Metropolis. In fact, that’s not normally essential in a zombie movie anyway — whether or not it’s by some mutated illness or in any other case, the purpose is for the characters to determine a means out of their predicament. The movie is competently made, and the pacing is sweet, however the character dynamics might have definitely used additional exploration.
Queens of the Lifeless opens with a drag queen, having simply completed a set and able to exit once more, being killed by a zombie inside a church. The zombies within the movie have deep grey pores and skin and huge, hungry eyes. It’s actually the one distinction between them and those that are nonetheless alive, however it’s a artistic approach to give the undead some life in a movie that’s banking on them to face out in a roundabout way.
The horror follows a gaggle of characters — Dre (O’Brian), a struggling stage supervisor on the Yum membership, Sam (Jaquel Spivey), a nurse and former drag queen who bailed on a giant efficiency, Lizzy (Riki Lindhome), Sam’s co-worker and Dre’s spouse, and Nina West, a headlining drag queen (and real-life one) who’s simply going by way of it. There are a plethora of different characters who seem, however the focus, and principal supply of stress, is between Dre and Sam (additionally identified beneath the stage identify Samoncé).
Queens Of The Lifeless Has Fashion However Its Character Growth Wanted Work
There’s a lot occurring, nevertheless, that it’s exhausting to change into totally invested within the movie’s emotional throughline. Primarily, it’s because there actually isn’t one. If a narrative might merely run on vibes, Queens of the Lifeless could be the definition of that. It may be enjoyable to a fault. It doesn’t take itself significantly in any respect — and that’s for higher and worse. We’re by no means inclined to take something all that significantly, both, as a result of there aren’t any actual stakes. Positive, there are zombies, however the character stress isn’t deep or explored totally sufficient for there to be an undercurrent of actual hazard.
From the opening scene, the zombie interactions are indifferent. Romero goals for comedy, however maybe goals so excessive that it forgets to remain a bit grounded, and sure, even a bit scary. On the subject of the horror facet, the movie is sorely missing. There aren’t any leap scares, no eeriness to the occasions that unfold. And even because it relied on the comedy to do many of the heavy lifting, Queen of the Lifeless is so hardly ever humorous. Usually, it feels extra prefer it’s checking bins than authentically partaking with the fabric.
That is because of the thinly drawn — if largely entertaining — characters. Their dynamics and interactions recommend a richness that doesn’t come throughout onscreen. From Dre’s disappointment in Sam to Sam’s drag queen redemption, the story doesn’t give them as a lot focus as wanted, too busy shifting from one second to the following. The result’s a way of chaos that might have been thrilling had it not strained in direction of being a contact boring.
What the movie does have is a way of fashion and a capability to maintain us engaged by way of a riotous forged that’s clearly having lots of enjoyable. Queens of the Lifeless has a frenetic vitality, and it’s that vitality that retains it going regardless of its points. It appears to be powered by willpower, fashion, and an thrilling spirit that retains it afloat at each flip. And, in case you simply wish to see a bunch of drag queens struggle zombies, then Queens of the Lifeless can be value your time, as long as you’re prepared to forgive its slumps and waft.
- Launch Date
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October 24, 2025
- Runtime
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99 minutes
- Director
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Tina Romero
- Writers
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Tina Romero, Erin Choose
- Producers
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Matt Miller