Tina Romero, daughter of the iconic zombie filmmaker George A. Romero, has made her directorial debut with Queens of the Dead, a distinctive film that merges zombie horror with queer culture. The story follows a drag party in Brooklyn that is upended by a sudden zombie outbreak, offering a fresh perspective on the undead genre.
Ahead of the film’s world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 7, Romero spoke about her connection to her father’s legacy. “I’m his child, no doubt,” she said. “Queens of the Dead is both an homage to his work and a unique expression of my own voice. It’s not his movie, but it speaks his language and follows his rules.”
The film stars Katy O’Brian as Dre, a party promoter determined to host a major drag warehouse event as zombies invade New York City. The ensemble cast also features Jack Haven, Jaquel Spivey, Nina West, Margaret Cho, Thomas Matos, Dominic Jackson, and other notable figures from the LGBTQ+ and horror communities.
A key line in the film, “This isn’t a George A. Romero movie,” reflects a self-aware tribute to the late director’s influence, underscoring how Tina’s film honors yet reimagines his work.
Romero cites inspiration from New York’s queer nightlife, particularly a moment in the “Hot Rabbit” party scene. “When a rift occurred within the community, I wondered, ‘When will queer culture stop devouring itself?’ That question ignited the concept for a queer zombie story,” she explained.
O’Brian praised the film’s bold, humorous portrayal of queer themes. “Roles that fully celebrate queerness are rare,” she said. The cast’s passion was evident throughout filming, which took place mostly in a New Jersey warehouse, with some guerrilla shoots in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood.
The production credits include special thanks to Tom Cruise, whose Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One schedule allowed O’Brian the time to participate in Queens of the Dead.
Though George A. Romero passed away in 2017, Tina shared early drafts of the script with him. “He told me, ‘I like it! Go for it,’” she recalled. Although he did not see the finished film after seven years of revisions, his encouragement remains a significant source of inspiration.
Queens of the Dead marks a bold addition to queer horror, blending drag culture with the undead in a story about survival, identity, and community.
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