Haunted Hotel – The New Adult Animated Series on Netflix
Get ready to check in to Undervale, the strangest and most haunted place ever seen on Netflix. If you love animated series with dark humor, over-the-top characters and that “haunted house” atmosphere that recalls the best cartoons of recent years, mark this date: September 19th lands Haunted Hotel, the new series that promises to shake up the adult animation landscape.
A pedigree of true animation champions
Let's start with the names, which alone are a guarantee. At the helm we find MattRoller, someone who knows a thing or two about absurd stories, having written for “Rick and Morty”, “Community” and “Archer”. But he is not alone: among the executive producers, the following stand out Dan Harmon (the father of Rick and Morty and Community) and Chris McKenna (Spider-Man: No Way Home). The animation? All by Titmouse, the studio behind hits like “Big Mouth” and “The Midnight Gospel.” In short, the team is a true all-star of adult animation.
Plot: Between family, ghosts and… the chaos of the hotel industry
But what awaits us in this “Haunted Hotel”? The plot starts from a simple yet brilliant idea: a single mother tries to run a haunted hotel, helped by her two children… and her brother, who is dead and is part of the large group of ghosts that populate the hotel. And here things immediately get interesting, because the deceased brother not only has not lost his gift of the gab, but also believes that the other ghosts have excellent ideas for managing the hotel!
What strikes you immediately is the tone: yes, it talks about spirits, monsters and ghosts, but it is all treated with a surreal irony that recalls the best moments of “BoJack Horseman” and “Disenchantment”, but also certain follies of “Gravity Falls” (in a more adult key). The series plays a lot with horror clichés – the room that is never opened, the corridors that stretch out as far as the eye can see, the guests who mysteriously disappear – and then turns them on their head and makes them hilarious.
A killer voice cast
Even on the rumour front, Haunted Hotel he doesn't miss anything. We will have W (The Last Man on Earth), Eliza Coupe (Happy Endings), Skyler gisondo (The Righteous Gemstones), Natalie Palamides (Duncanville) and Jimmi Simpson (Westworld). A mix of comedy veterans and new talent, perfect for playing characters that oscillate between everyday madness and the grotesque paranormal.
Beyond simple horror-comedy
But be careful: Haunted Hotel is not limited to slapstick comedy or jokes about ghosts and monsters. Behind the nonsense and plot twists, we can already glimpse a deeper reflection on the themes of family, loss and the ability to reinvent oneself even in the most absurd situations. The relationship between the protagonist and her ghost brother promises moments of pure fun, but also of a certain tenderness (obviously in a sarcastic sauce). After all, adult animation in recent years has taught us that you can laugh, reflect and be moved... all in the same scene.
A striking design and an unmistakable atmosphere
The first images published by Netflix show a design rich in details and saturated colors, which immediately creates that “wonder house” effect where anything can happen. The ghosts are never the same: some are terrifying, others ridiculous, others still seem to have come out of a 90s cartoon. And then there are the human guests of the hotel, who are often more disturbing than the ghosts themselves! Each frame is a small grotesque painting, and Erica Hayes' direction promises to play a lot with distorted perspectives and visual surprises.
Why “Haunted Hotel” Could Become a Cult
After years of relegating adult animated series to a niche audience, Netflix is now pushing hard for products that blend humor, depth, and a distinctive aesthetic. Haunted Hotel It comes in the wake of successful titles such as “Big Mouth”, “BoJack Horseman”, “Disenchantment” and “Inside Job”, but aims to carve out its own identity, thanks to fresh writing and characters that promise to make an impression.
And then, there's the feeling that this series can play with genres, alternating the grotesque with the tender, social satire with pure slapstick fun. A mix that, if managed well, can really hit the mark, especially for those looking for a series to watch at the end of the day to relax and have a laugh (maybe with a few thrills).
So, what to expect?
If you're tired of the usual animated sitcoms, want a dose of dark humor and aren't scared of ghosts with a ready joke, Haunted Hotel is the series to watch this fall. Check into the Undervale Hotel: between monsters in the conference room, ghosts searching for meaning in the afterlife, and a family desperately trying not to go crazy, boredom is banned. And the best part is that, at least this time, being a “guest” in a haunted hotel will be anything but a vacation to forget.
Appointment on September 19th on Netflix: don't forget your room key... and prepare to laugh, maybe even with a little shiver down your spine.
