The daughter of the legendary George A. Romero, creator of the modern zombie genre, Tina Romero, is venturing into filmmaking with her directorial debut. Aptly titled Queens of the Dead, the movie puts a fresh spin on the classic zombie invasion. Instead of a typical setting, the undead descend upon a lively party in New York City, populated by drag queen performers and their companions.
Queens of the Dead is a forthcoming horror-comedy that blends the vibrant world of drag with the terror of a zombie outbreak. Scheduled for an October theatrical release, the initial trailer has now been unveiled, showcasing a film that appears both entertaining and potentially jarring to those with more traditional viewpoints. Check out the preview:
Featuring a talented cast including Katy O’Brian, Nina West, and Jack Haven, the film promises to divide its narrative between the frantic escapades of partygoers and drag queens trapped in a warehouse, and the unfolding chaos within a New York City hospital amidst the zombie apocalypse. The trailer has already generated excitement for this unique take on the zombie narrative. It is also noteworthy that Romero is seemingly honoring her father’s legacy by creating zombie movies that offer more than just scares and gore, incorporating relevant social commentary and compelling characters. George Romero’s groundbreaking Night of the Living Dead established the conventions of the modern zombie film: a group of people barricaded against the undead, battling not only the external threat but also their internal conflicts.
Here’s the official synopsis from IFC Films:
On the night of an enormous warehouse party, a zombie apocalypse erupts in Brooklyn. An assorted collection of drag queens, club regulars, and former rivals must set aside their differences and use their individual talents to confront the relentless, brain-hungry horde.
Considering the current sociopolitical landscape, a movie about zombies threatening a sanctuary for drag queens and queer individuals feels particularly timely. It is easy to imagine George Romero expressing his pride in his daughter’s first major motion picture. While she has experience with television and smaller productions, this marks her debut on a larger scale. Audiences can anticipate the arrival of Queens of the Dead in theaters on October 24, perfectly timed for the Halloween season.