When the legendary George A. Romero passed away in 2017, the zombie genre lost its undisputed king. But here's where it gets exciting: his daughter, Tina Romero, is stepping into the spotlight with her own unique take on the sub-genre her father revolutionized. And this is the part most people miss—while Tina’s style leans more toward comedy than horror, her film Queens of the Dead is still deeply rooted in social commentary and delivers something essential: pure entertainment. From glitter-covered zombies to a wildly eclectic and lovable cast, Tina’s vision is as bold and distinctive as her father’s. Speaking of George Romero, he’s undeniably the architect of the modern zombie film, with classics like Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, and Day of the Dead forming the holy trinity of zombie cinema we all revere. Growing up immersed in her father’s work, Tina not only inherited his love for the genre but also honed her own expertise—she even appeared as a soldier in Land of the Dead!
I had the privilege of sitting down with Tina and her incredible cast, including Katy O’Brian, Riki Lindhome, Jack Haven, Margaret Cho, Nina Bloomgarden, and Tomas Matos. We dove into everything Queens of the Dead, from the infectious fun of the shoot to Tina’s directorial style. But here’s where it gets controversial—Tina revealed why Dawn of the Dead is her favorite of her father’s films and how it became the biggest inspiration for her own work. Watch the full interview in the video above!
Queens of the Dead follows a wild premise: a zombie apocalypse erupts in Brooklyn during a massive warehouse party, forcing a diverse group of drag queens, club kids, and frenemies to set aside their differences and use their unique talents to battle the brain-hungry undead. It’s a fresh, chaotic, and utterly entertaining twist on the genre.
The film is now in theaters and will soon be available on Shudder. Don’t miss it!
Now, here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Does Tina Romero’s comedic approach to zombies honor her father’s legacy, or does it stray too far from the horror roots he established? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take!
