Tina Romero, daughter of horror legend George A. Romero, is making her feature debut with “Queens of the Dead.” The film is being called the “big gay zombie movie” event of the year. “Queens of the Dead” premieres on June 7.
It stars Katy O’Brian, Margaret Cho, Jack Haven, and Cheyenne Jackson. The movie follows a group of drag queens, club kids, and frenemies. They must put aside their personal dramas to fight a zombie apocalypse.
The outbreak happens during their drag show in Brooklyn. The cast also includes Nina West, Jaquel Spivey, Tomas Matos, Quincy Dunn-Baker, Becca Blackwell, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Dominique Jackson, Riki Lindhome, and Eve Lindley. Romero co-wrote the screenplay with Erin Judge.
big gay zombie event
She explains why now is the time for “Queens of the Dead.” She also acknowledges her father’s impact on horror. “The zombie apocalypse is such a rich sandbox to play in when it comes to social commentary,” Romero says.
“I can’t be my dad’s daughter without making an attempt at saying something with zombies.”
Romero wants to pay homage to the world and monster her father created. But she’s also introducing her own voice. “It’s very much not a film he would make, but it is using his vocabulary and is playing by his rules,” she explains.
As for the queer element, Romero feels it’s time. “On one hand, I just feel like the gays need a zombie film,” she says. “It’s time that we get to have a big gay zombie movie.”
“Queens of the Dead” promises a fresh take on the zombie genre.
It blends Romero’s father’s legacy with her own unique perspective. Horror fans can catch the premiere on June 7.
