Pittsburgh takes pride in being the Unofficial Zombie Capital of the World, a self-imposed title related to late director George A. Romero shooting his Night of the Living Dead films in and around the city. Archives, zombie walks, city-wide celebrations, and even a museum — located in Monroeville Mall, the site of Dawn of the Dead — have demonstrated how much Romero means to horror fans both here and abroad.
Now, Romero’s daughter, Tina Romero, has taken up the undead torch with her distinctly LGBTQ directorial debut.
Independent Film Company (IFC) and the horror streaming platform Shudder recently acquired the North American rights to Queens of the Dead, a horror comedy directed by Tina Romero, who co-wrote it with comedian Erin Judge. An official synopsis for the film — which had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Film — reads “a zombie apocalypse breaks out in Brooklyn on the night of a giant warehouse party, where an eclectic group of drag queens, club kids, and frenemies must put aside their drama and use their unique skills to fight against the brain-thirsty, scrolling undead.”
“Independent Film Company and Shudder couldn’t be a more perfect home for Queens of the Dead,” Tina Romero said in a press release. “I’m honored to partner with such a kickass and creative team of people who really love movies, and I’m so grateful for their belief in giving indie darlings a moment on the big screen because I think this is a film people will want to see together. With popcorn. Dressed in zombie couture.”
In a press release, Adam Koehler, the director of acquisitions and productions at IFC and Shudder, said, “We’re beyond thrilled to bring this wildly original vision to audiences — a fearless, glam-drenched ride that’s as funny as it is ferocious. With razor-sharp direction and a fierce cast, Queens of the Dead is a thrilling new chapter in a legacy of horror royalty.”
The film stars cast members from across the LGBTQ spectrum, including Katy O’Brian, star of Rose Glass’ lesbian romance thriller Love Lies Bleeding; trans-femme actor Tomas Matos, who appeared in the 2022 gay rom-com Fire Island; Dominique Jackson of Pose fame; Jack Haven, a non-binary actor known for I Saw the TV Glow; and stand-up comedian/LGBTQ icon Margaret Cho, among others. The film also features Nina West, who competed on season 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and New York City drag artist Julie J.
While the film continues her father’s horror legacy, Queens of the Dead marks a departure from George A. Romero’s works, widely regarded for their sometimes bleak commentary on the political and social upheavals of Vietnam War-era America, crass consumerism, and other issues. Despite its comedic leanings, however, Queens of the Dead stands out for its dedication to showcasing LGBTQ talent, especially in a time when the rights of queer and trans communities are under attack.
No release date has been set for Queens of the Dead.
This article appears in Jul 16-22, 2025.
