Over four years ago, animator Vivienne “VivziePop” Medrano turned heads when she released the full-length pilot of “Hazbin Hotel” on YouTube. With original songs, stunningly fluid animation and professional voice acting, the episode quickly gained popularity. The production company A24 picked up the show a year after its online debut for eight episodes, releasing the first episode this January on Amazon Prime.
The history of “Hazbin Hotel” is inspiring for indie animation, showcasing the culmination of Medrano and her team’s passion for the story. Although the show’s visual and musical components are nothing short of spectacular, the rushed pacing ultimately left me questioning the intended storyline.
The show is a dark comedy musical that follows Princess of Hell Charlie Morningstar (Erika Henningsen) as she attempts to remedy Hell’s overpopulation problem by opening a rehabilitation center for sinners, the titular “Hazbin Hotel.” Alongside her pragmatic girlfriend, Vaggie (Stephanie Beatriz), and the wickedly charismatic Radio Demon, Alastor (Amir Talai), Charlie works to prove that her hotel can serve as a peaceful alternative to Extermination, or the yearly purges performed by exorcists from Heaven.
Alongside the main cast is a wide-ranging ensemble of unique demons and angels, including the narcissistic, rock-loving supreme angel Adam (Alex Brightman) and the lewd, yet kindhearted adult film star Angel Dust (Blake Roman). However, the show’s large cast is one of its bigger problems. With so many characters, few are given enough time to be fleshed out beyond their plot significance in singular episodes. For example, the character Sir Pentious (Alex Brightman), a former supervillain who later becomes a resident of the hotel, is portrayed as comic relief for most of the series. Yet, in the finale, Sir Pentious boldly sacrifices himself to prevent Adam from hurting his friends, which is intended to be poignant for viewers but ultimately falls flat due to a lack of emotional buildup.
The cast is also one of the show’s greatest assets. Filled with notable Broadway regulars like Christian Borle and Jeremy Jordan, the musical numbers are a dazzling creative showcase. Featuring catchy melodies, skillful composition and perfect blends of humor and emotion, the songs add a unique and memorable dimension to the show’s storytelling. The musical style ranges from show tunes to electro-swing, with each genre fitting into the show’s unique and quirky aesthetic. The soundtrack covers a broad tonal range with empowering pop ballads like “Loser, Baby” to softer, orchestral duets like “More Than Anything.”
Another great aspect of “Hazbin Hotel” is the show’s distinct visual style. Animated by Bento Box Entertainment, all of the characters are diverse and memorable, each containing meticulous details in their designs. One of the best examples is the character Husk (Keith David), the jaded hotel bartender who is indebted to Alastor after an unfortunate gambling match. Husk’s design is symbolic of his gambling past, with a roulette wheel-esque pattern on his wings and hearts on his gloves, making his design unique and meaningful to his character.
Another high point of the animation is its gorgeous and creative world-building shots. From the pastel paradise of Heaven to the early 20th-century aesthetic of Cannibal Colony, each location’s buildings and residents have a distinctive style. With such a large variety of characters and locations, the show’s animation succeeds in making all of them unforgettable and visually marvelous.
Although “Hazbin Hotel” excels in its animation and soundtrack, the show’s rushed pacing is a drawback. With only eight 20-minute episodes, the show introduces too many plot lines and characters for viewers to truly enjoy any of them. The overcrowded story and cast diminish the show’s emotional moments since the audience is not given enough time to appreciate its characters or their relationships.
Despite its flawed pacing, “Hazbin Hotel” has no boring moments. With what little screen time the team gave the show, it filled every second with charm and excitement. “Hazbin Hotel” has already been confirmed for a second season, and I am excited to see where the show goes. I hope that the coming season can move at a more relaxed pace and follow through with many of the exciting subplots and characters this season set up.
