What happens when a Brooklyn drag show collides with a glitter-dusted zombie outbreak? We dig into Queens of the Dead; from rhinestoned drills and throwing axe gags to a soundtrack that slides from Romero-esque synths into club heat. We talk cast highlights; Nina West’s grounding presence, Margaret Cho’s physical comedy, Katie O’Brien’s steady cool, Jack Haven’s scene-stealing Kelsey; and why names, pronouns, and chosen family matter.
Under the glitter, the film is a community survival manual. Leadership shifts by need, not title. Drag isn’t costume; it’s equipment. Code-switching becomes a life-saving disguise as queens “drag up” as first responders to move through a hostile city. Representation isn’t a footnote—anxiety, addiction, and reconciliation arcs sit alongside gore, proving a zombie movie can do heart without losing bite. We close with what this homage borrows from Romero’s DNA—satire, memory, and a maybe-open ending—while staking out its own space as a cult-classic contender made by and for queer audiences.
Zombie Book Club Links