One of the most talked about indie horror films of 2025 is the queer zombie film, Queens of the Dead. One reason horror fans are excited for the film is because it was directed by Tina Romero in her feature film debut. If her name sounds familiar, that’s because she’s the daughter of legendary horror filmmaker George A. Romero (Night of the Living Dead, Day of the Dead). With a screenplay written by Romero and Erin Judge, also making her debut, Queens of the Dead follows a group of friends and frenemies preparing for an Easter drag show at a failing nightclub. What begins as an already bad night quickly turns deadly as zombie hoards take over the city.

As soon as Queens of the Dead begins, it’s clear the audience is in for a good time. The film takes some time introducing the fantastic ensemble cast, exploring their jobs and interpersonal relationships. Some characters are dating or married, some are just trying to party, while others have unresolved animosity. It establishes the human drama at the heart of the film before injecting the horror. Once zombies begin wreaking havoc all over New York City, the characters are thrust into a fight for survival that also forces them to confront their various issues. As is true of all the best zombie films, this is primarily a film about human nature, relationships, and self-reflection for the characters. The zombies are just there to add terror, gore, and heighten the on-screen emotions. Along the way there’s also hilarious comedy, fabulous drag, and of course a ton of zombie carnage.

There is no denying Queens of the Dead is a highly entertaining watch. The zombies have a lot to do with that, but a lot of the fun comes from the clever script. While it’s a bit subtle, audiences might notice the film is set on Easter. On top of this being an underused holiday to incorporate into a horror film, it also pairs well with zombies given it’s meant to be the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead. The film also incorporates some subtle socio-political themes such as our obsession with phones and social media, companies pandering to the LGBTQ+ community for profit, drug use in the club scene, and even touches on cops being just as dangerous as the walking dead. Horror fans will no doubt appreciate all the nods to George A. Romero’s work. From fun little lines to hilarious cameos, Romero made sure to pay homage to her father’s work throughout the film. This is even evident in the socio-political themes, which the late Romero always wove into his zombie films. While Romero certainly honors her father’s legacy with this film, it still has her own unique, campy, queer spin that makes the film stand all on its own.

Queens of the Dead has a huge cast of LGBTQ+ actors and characters, all giving delightful performances. One of the standouts is undoubtedly Jaquel Spivey (Mean Girls) as Sam. Sam is a former drag queen who now works a normal job as a nurse. Spivey gives a wonderfully layered performance in this role. At first, Spivey plays Sam as rather demure. Once the zombie outbreak begins, Sam is forced to confront the friends and life he thought he left behind. Sam is the heart of this film and Spivey proves he has the presence and charisma to shine. Katy O’Brian (Love Lies Bleeding, Twisters) plays Dre, the organizer and promotor for the club. Dre is at a point when she has to decide if she wants to keep trying to keep the club afloat or if it’s time to get a “grown up” job to help support her wife and the family they want to start. O’Brian adds a sense of calm and reason amidst the chaos, making Dre seem like someone who can be relied upon when things get tough. It’s impossible to dive into every performance, but some other standouts are Jack Haven (I Saw the TV Glow), Tomas Matos (Fire Island), Nina West (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Dominique Jackson (Pose), Quincy Dunn-Baker (No Hard Feelings), and many more.

Audiences are sure to be dazzled by the sights and sounds of Queens of the Dead. It starts with the costume design. Not only does it fit each individual character, but the drag looks are also a perfect blend of style and camp. The lighting plays an important role in creating the iconic imagery, especially in the club setting. Most of this is bisexual lighting with vibrant pinks and blues, but there are some moments of neon green as well. The makeup and practical effects are what will really drive the audience wild. At first, the makeup is showcased through the drag queens and their iconic looks. This alone looks amazing, but then everything is ramped up with the zombie makeup. Romero decided to go with a somewhat old school look for the zombies, giving them green skin and jutting cheekbones and giving the eyes a sunken-in appearance. Yet the green skin is given a glamorous upgrade with a metallic shine that makes the zombies look like they’ve been highlighted to the heavens. Not to mention, the practical effects add all the blood and guts fans want from a zombie flick. Tying it all together is a catchy musical score by Blitz//Berlin (Silent Night, Deadly Night). This score is synth and bass heavy, ensuring people will be dancing in their seats while the zombies feast.

Queens of the Dead is an outrageously entertaining romp pitting glamorous drag queens and queer club kids against the rotting undead. It’s a fabulous debut for Romero as she pays homage to her late father, but she incorporates camp and queerness to make something fresh, unique, and fun. The screenplay by Romero and Judge is so clever and sharp witted, weaving laugh out loud moments throughout the terror, yet it never loses the emotional core of the characters. All the performances are great, with Spivey being the breakout star, and every visual detail enhances the humor, fashion, and horror. Don’t miss your chance to see Queens of the Dead on the big screen beginning Friday, October 24th.

OVERALL RATING: 8.5/10