Season 1 |
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Episode Guide
Overture
Radio Killed the Video Star
Scrambled Eggs
Masquerade
Dad Beat Dad
Welcome to Heaven
Hello Rosie
The Show Must Go On
Even before A24’s studio involvement, Hazbin Hotel creator Vivienne Medrano solidified herself as an innovative voice in the world of adult animation with the independently produced Helluva Boss series and original Hazbin Hotel pilot procuring millions of views for the artist’s work. Based on Medrano’s webcomic of the same name (which appears to no longer be accessible), A24’s Hazbin Hotel will soon drop on Prime Video as a musical comedy–hopefully to garner an even wider audience for Medrano.
The series follows Charlie Morningstar (Erika Henningsen), princess and hopeful savior of Hell. While Heaven sends an angel army to Hell each year to exterminate demons, Charlie dreams of a better solution to the underworld’s overpopulation. It’s why she opened the Hazbin Hotel–to rehabilitate sinners and send them to Heaven, with help (whether freely given or coerced) from girlfriend Vaggie (Stephanie Beatriz), porn star Angel Dust (Blake Roman), bartender Husk (Keith David), maid Niffty (Kimiko Glenn), Sir Pentious (Alex Brightman), and radio demon Alistor (Amir Talai).
Other than some wildly improved animation and incredible musical numbers, Hazbin Hotel doesn’t start strong right out of the gate. It’s simply not given the time to breathe and build to the heart that Helluva Boss and even the original pilot to this show have–the transitions are less smooth; the dialogue somewhat flatter; the jokes don’t land as often. But the improvement curve is steep, and the show starts incorporating a more fluid approach to its story and dialogue a couple of episodes in.
It’s entertaining throughout too, boasting a lovable crew of oddball characters who have incredible chemistry, unique backstories and personalities, and a stellar voice cast to bring them all to life. Henningsen in particular lends the charm of a Disney princess to a part that feels written for her. Charlie’s hopeful beacon of light stands in delightful contrast to the crassness of her surroundings, just one instance of Hazbin’s perfect balancing act between the hellish and heartwarming.
Although it’s not entirely necessary, I do recommend you go and watch Medrano’s original pilot to Hazbin Hotel before digging into Prime Video’s episodes. It’s free on YouTube, and it provides an excellent introduction to these characters. Trust me; once you get started, you’ll want to know as much about them as you can.
The first four episodes of Hazbin Hotel will drop on Prime Video tonight at 7 pm ET and 12 am GMT. The first five episodes were screened for this review.
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Verdict - 8/10
8/10