A daughter of horror royalty makes her bloody, liberated mark in ‘Queens of the Dead’

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The line “They’re coming to get you, Barbara” is the most recognizable from the groundbreaking 1968 horror film, “Night of the Living Dead.” It’s a cruel joke delivered by a brother who doesn’t realize how completely society is falling apart. Soon, his sister will be running for her life, shoeless, from a terrifying, reanimated corpse—a creature the film doesn’t even need to label as a ‘zombie’—and any thoughts of classic monster actors will quickly fade away.

The dialogue feels surprisingly natural when spoken by the drag queens in “Queens of the Dead,” a film that’s both very funny and cleverly written. The movie is directed and co-written by Tina Romero, 42, who is the daughter of horror legend George Romero – the creator of “Night of the Living Dead.” He passed away in 2017 and, like many great artists, received widespread recognition only after his death.

Tina Romero truly gets what her father, the famous director, was all about. It’s not simply about bringing a group of arguing people together in a safe place – in this case, a renovated Brooklyn warehouse – while everything falls apart outside. The film even features a cameo from makeup legend Tom Savini, playing the mayor on television, who jokingly warns viewers, “This isn’t a George Romero movie.” Cleverly, “Queens of the Dead” explores the deeper themes that many similar horror films overlook: the difficulty of cooperation, even when facing a common threat, and the idea that the real monsters might be the problems within ourselves.

Movies

Okay, horror fans, if you’re like me and can’t wait for October 31st, Los Angeles is about to become your playground! I’ve been checking out what’s playing over the next week, and it’s a fantastic lineup of classic horror films. We’re talking everything from gorgeous 35mm prints to movies blown up on massive screens – and, of course, plenty of big, scary monsters. Get ready to be spooked!

The vibrant and playfully unconventional film “Queens” features Katy O’Brian, known for her role in “Love Lies Bleeding.” Here, O’Brian delivers a more emotionally complex performance as Dre, an ambitious event organizer hoping to make her drag show, Yum, a success. She faces challenges with unreliable performers and a shifting audience – her target influencers are increasingly distracted and losing touch with reality, though they stubbornly remain glued to their phones. Despite its bold style, the film is likely to appeal to anyone who enjoys RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Inside the small, temporary club – which is really just a dressing room, bar, and a few dance platforms – things are tense, and Dre has a lot on her plate. Ginsey, a dedicated performer, is holding everything together, but her unpredictable assistant, Sam, arrives and immediately causes trouble. Meanwhile, a newer performer demands to be called Scrumptious instead of being second in command, and Barry, the no-nonsense handyman, does his best to keep up with everyone’s preferred pronouns.

I’m really rooting for Tina Romero! I love that she’s embracing the fun, even if it means a silly makeover scene and a totally wild escape plan involving a Pride Parade float. Honestly, if the show leans into the humor and not every joke lands perfectly, that’s fine with me. It feels so good to see her finally step up, and it’s a beautiful idea that when everything changes, people who’ve struggled before can find their strength and lead the way.

This is a skillfully crafted and fast-paced film – the editing, by Aden Hakimi, actually reminds you of the style used by the original horror masters. It’s good enough that it shouldn’t be limited to just one type of viewer; any horror fan will likely enjoy it. A particularly charming subplot involves Dre’s wife, Lizzie (Riki Lindhome), a nurse who’s on a frantic drive across town in her classic Impala – it’s a comforting and well-developed story.

Like many zombie movies, a pivotal character appears halfway through, accompanied by dramatic music. In this case, it’s Margaret Cho riding a motor scooter and kicking up exhaust fumes. She casually says, “You all look healthy enough,” hinting she’s about to become an action hero. And it’s just as exciting as you’d imagine.

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2025-10-27 03:01