In an attempt to find a non-violent alternative for reducing Hell’s overpopulation, the daughter of Lucifer opens a rehabilitation hotel that offers a group of misfit demons a chance at redemption.
“Hazbin Hotel” isn’t just a show—it’s a neon-soaked fever dream that grabs you from the first musical number and refuses to let go. If you’re tired of seeing recycled premises on TV, Vivienne Medrano’s passion project will feel like a shot of pure originality to the system. Here, Hell isn’t just fire and brimstone; it’s a chaotic, jazz-laced wonderland where redemption is the wildest gamble of all. At the center is Charlie, the princess of Hell, earnest and stubborn, trying to rehabilitate sinners in a world where hope is an endangered species.
What sets “Hazbin Hotel” apart is its devotion to craft. The animation isn’t just “good for an indie project”—it’s genuinely stellar, with fluid, expressive movement and a candy-colored art style that’s a buffet for the eyes. Every frame pulses with enthusiasm, and you get the sense that every animator cared, sweated, and fought for details most mainstream productions would let slip. The musical numbers aren’t an afterthought, either; they’re infectious, tightly woven into character and plot, and shockingly hard to get out of your head. Whether it’s a showstopping villain solo or a bittersweet duet, the songs feel like an organic piece of the world—a rarity in animated series, or frankly, any show on TV.
The cast elevates it too. These are seasoned voice actors who know how to squeeze every inch of charm and pain out of their roles. The personalities are brash, broken, or baffling, but never dull. Angel Dust’s swagger hides a battered core, Alastor’s showman veneer masks something much darker, and even seemingly minor characters hint at richer backstories. There’s a palpable sense that these characters will keep evolving, and it’s not often you get that kind of promise straight out of season one.
But, if “Hazbin Hotel” has a hellish flaw, it’s the show’s pacing. Eight episodes try to cram in a year’s worth of plot twists, betrayals, and emotional breakthroughs. Some relationships feel like they’re on fast-forward, just brushing the surface when you want to linger in the moment. Arcs that deserve breathing room end up flattened by the rush, and it’s clear the show could be even stronger if it permitted itself to slow down once in a while. The world is so dense and inventive that it almost feels like a crime to sprint through it.
Still, you can’t help but admire the ambition on display. Even with its flaws, “Hazbin Hotel” is bursting with personality, heart, and a kind of unruly optimism that feels genuinely rare. It’s a show made by people who clearly adore what they’re doing, and that passion bleeds through every note, every frame, every madcap monologue. If this is what TV in Hell looks like, maybe eternal damnation isn’t as bad as it sounds.
Now available on Blu-ray™
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