Queens of the Dead – Movie Review (3/5)

QUEENS OF THE DEAD is a new Queer Zombie Horror Comedy. They’re calling it a “Zom-Com” and I can see why. It’s very kitsch and a campy, fun watch. Obviously, it won’t be for everyone, but if you’re in the mood for something over-the-top, this should do the trick. Read our full Queens of the Dead movie review here!

QUEENS OF THE DEAD is a new Horror Comedy from Tina Romero. And yes, the name does reveal the connection to iconic zombie filmmaker George A. Romero. There’s even a direct nod to the director and his zombie movies, made via a cameo by Tom Savini (Dawn of the Dead, 1978).

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It doesn’t get much more campy and kitsch than that. And yes, this is also a zombie movie. However, it’s one with a queer center as it takes place in an LGBTQ+ club and features glorious drag queens. Hence the title: a play on Dawn of the Dead, but with drag queens.

Continue reading our Queens of the Dead movie review below. Find it in theaters from October 24, 2025.

A zombie apocalypse… in Brooklyn?!

With Queens of the Dead, we see a zombie apocalypse break out in Brooklyn. It’s on the night of a giant warehouse party, which isn’t off to the best start. Even before the zombies start arriving. At YUM (that’s the name of the club), the star performer has just ditched them for a bigger and better venue.

From this moment, we begin the commentary on social media and influencer issues, which becomes a theme in Queens of the Dead. However, this is a horror-comedy with zombies, so the commentary comes in the form a well-timed and poignant jabs. Ones we should all recognize.

If you don’t, then you’re probably guilty of doing it yourself. Just sayin’.

Anyway, at YUM, we meet an eclectic group of drag queens, club kids, and a few frenemies who will be forced to put all their drama aside. Easier said than done, obviously, but once the zombies arrive, most petty feuds can be put on the back burner.

They also need to learn how to fight these brain-thirsty, and practically brain-dead-yet-still-scrolling, creatures. Of course, drag queens (and queer people in general) have always been innovative whenever a situation called for it.

An homage to the family legacy

With this Zom-Com, Tina Romero is clearly creating an homage to her father’s iconic zombie universe. The zombies are still stupid and slow, but in this very contemporary version, it plays out in a queer nightclub.

Also, there’s a running gag about us humans being so attached to our smartphones that even as zombies, we continue hitting refresh on that social media feed.

I loved this little detail, as many people are clearly like zombies when looking down at their phones. Just look around and you’ll see those phone-zombies all around you.

A deliciously queer cast

In case it hasn’t already been made clear, Queens of the Dead is an unapologetic queer movie. However, as is always the case with queer spaces, everyone is welcome. As long as you’re ready to embrace and accept people for who they are, the more the merrier.

With the cast of Queens of the Dead, we are being treated to many LGBTQ+ actors.

From Katy O’Brian (Love Lies Bleeding) as the YUM club owner to Jack Haven (I Saw the TV Glow) as the intern, and Cheyenne Jackson (Werewolves Within) as the bartender. Or how about comedian Margaret Cho, who comes swooping in just when her tough attitude is needed the most.

Also in the cast are Jaquel Spivey (Mean Girls), Tomas Matos (Fire Island), Nina West, Quincy Dunn-Baker (A House of Dynamite), Dominique Jackson (Pose), Riki Lindhome (The Hand That Rocks The Cradle), Eve Lindley (Bros), and Shaunette Renée Wilson (Black Panther).

Watch Queens of the Dead in theaters!

As already mentioned, Tina Romero is the director of Queens of the Dead, which she also co-wrote with Erin Judge. This isn’t the first time Tina Romero writes or directs, but it is her first feature film. And what a fabulous debut at that!

No, this isn’t a new zombie classic, but it really doesn’t try to be either. It is camp all the way, and it’s obviously meant to entertain and let the audience have fun with it. I would absolutely recommend watching this in a theater, as I can only imagine it will be a fabulous experience.

At 100 minutes, this Zom-Com does run too long, but it’s not by too much. Tightening the pace would have made for a better overall viewing experience. Maybe next time, as there is definitely room to make a sequel. And I would be very happy to watch Queens of the Dead 2 as well.

QUEENS OF THE DEAD is out in theaters on October 24, 2025. It will also be available on Shudder later.

Details

Director: Tina Romero
Writers: Tina Romero and Erin Judge
Cast: Katy O’Brian, Jaquel Spivey, Tomas Matos, Nina West, Quincy Dunn-Baker, Jack Haven, Cheyenne Jackson, Dominique Jackson, Margaret Cho, Riki Lindhome, Eve Lindley, Becca Blackwell, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Julie J