Queens of the Dead review – drag performers slay on the party scene in playful zombie comedy

A zombie epidemic taking place in the LGBTQ+ warehouse party scene is the fun premise of this wobbly but often endearing comedy-horror. The film’s biggest ace is its cast, with charismatic screen presences such as Katy M O’Brian (Love Lies Bleeding) and Cheyenne Jackson (30 Rock) sparking off larger-than-life comedy types including Nina West (RuPaul’s Drag Race) and Jaquel Spivey (2024’s Mean Girls). Slay, queen, boots the house down, etc.

Meanwhile, director Tina Romero has some large boots to fill: she’s the daughter of George A Romero, the man who more or less created the zombie movie as we know it. In some ways that’s unfortunate: it’s difficult to watch Queens of the Dead without thinking about the seminal 1968 classic Night of the Living Dead and its variable sequels and imitators. To its credit, QOTD realises that it would be futile to deny its House of Romero heritage; instead, the script calls attention to its venerable ancestor with that film’s most famous quote repurposed as a sassy catcall: “They’re coming to get you Barbara!” It’s a moment that works pretty well.