Haunted Hotel Review: Netflix’s Supernatural Animated Comedy – Stream or Skip?
Key Takeaways
- Strong voice cast let down by generic writing.
- Premise has potential but lacks depth or scares.
- Skip unless you crave undemanding background viewing.
Series Overview and Premise
Haunted Hotel is Netflix’s latest foray into adult animated comedy, premiering on September 19, 2025. Created by Matt Roller, a writer known for his work on Rick and Morty and Krapopolis, the series follows the story of Katherine (voiced by Eliza Coupe), a single mother who inherits a haunted hotel from her recently deceased brother Nathan (Will Forte). The twist? Nathan himself is now among the ghostly residents of the establishment and serves as her unlikely partner in managing the supernatural business .
The series boasts an impressive creative pedigree with Dan Harmon (Rick and Morty, Community) and Steve Levy serving as executive producers. Despite this connection to more subversive animated shows, Haunted Hotel aims for a broader TV-14 appeal rather than the TV-MA edginess typically associated with adult animation . The animation is handled by Titmouse, Inc., known for their work on various adult animated series, though the visual style has been described as somewhat generic by some critics .
Detailed Plot Summary
The Premise and Setting
The series is set at the Undervale Hotel, a struggling establishment plagued by supernatural inhabitants. Unlike typical haunted locations where ghosts are merely spooky attractions, the Undervale’s spirits are active participants in the daily operations—often causing more problems than they solve. The central premise revolves around Katherine’s attempts to run the hotel with help from her ghostly brother Nathan, while also navigating the challenges of raising her two children in this unconventional environment .
Episode-by-Episode Breakdown (Season 1)
Key Episodes in Haunted Hotel
| Episode Title | Main Plot | Notable Elements |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome to the Undervale | Katherine hires an exorcist to rid the hotel of ghosts while Ben finds a ghostly soulmate. | Introduction to main characters and establishment of core dynamics. |
| Randy Slasher | The crew deals with a serial killer targeting teens while Katherine attempts to go on a date. | Horror movie parody elements, blending slasher tropes with sitcom storytelling. |
| The Esthercist | Esther takes charge when soul-sucking demons invade the hotel. | Focus on Esther’s character development and darkly comedic elements. |
| The Acolytes of Abaddon | A cult checks into the hotel, potentially bringing about the end of the world. | Season finale with higher stakes and demonic mythology expansion. |
Throughout the season, the show employs an episodic format with standalone stories that occasionally contribute to larger character arcs. The narrative blends supernatural elements with familiar sitcom plots—Katherine’s attempts at dating, school struggles for the children, and business challenges—all exacerbated by the hotel’s paranormal population .
One of the more creative episodes involves a sentient honeymoon suite that becomes possessive of Katherine, manifesting as both romantic pursuer and eventual stalker. This storyline was highlighted by critics as one of the season’s more original and unsettling concepts . Another standout episode features a time-travel narrative that explores the family’s bonds across different eras, providing one of the season’s more emotionally resonant moments .
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Character Analysis
Main Characters
- Katherine (Eliza Coupe): The pragmatic single mother trying to maintain normalcy despite extraordinary circumstances. Her character embodies the “straight man” archetype amidst the chaos, often serving as the audience’s anchor to reality. However, some critics found her characterization somewhat bland and “suburban-mom coded” without much depth beyond her functional role .
- Nathan (Will Forte): Katherine’s late brother, whose eternal optimism about the hotel’s potential contrasts with his sister’s practicality. Despite being a ghost, Nathan maintains a cheerful, almost human presence—able to interact with objects and environments in limited ways. Forte’s performance brings warmth to the character, though the writing doesn’t always capitalize on the inherent tragedy of his situation .
- Ben (Skyler Gisondo): Katherine’s 13-year-old son, representing the awkward teenage experience amidst supernatural chaos. His storylines often involve school struggles and a romantic subplot with a ghost girlfriend (voiced by Riki Lindhome) .
- Esther (Natalie Palamides): The preteen daughter with a dark streak and penchant for mischief. Critics have compared her to Louise from Bob’s Burgers, though with more explicitly supernatural interests. Palamides’ performance is frequently cited as a highlight, bringing depth to what could otherwise be a one-note character .
- Abaddon (Jimmi Simpson): A demon trapped in the body of an 18th-century boy, serving as both antagonist and unofficial family member. Simpson’s performance—delivering grandiose demonic dialogue with childish petulance—creates one of the show’s most consistently entertaining dynamics. His character embodies the series’ contrast between supernatural grandeur and mundane family life .
Supporting Characters
The hotel’s ghostly residents provide episodic entertainment, including Stabby Paul (Duncan Trussell), a knife-wielding spirit, and Mr. Candles, a ghost obsessed with candles. While these characters offer potential for creative world-building, critics noted they’re often underutilized as mere background elements rather than fully developed personalities .
Animation Style and Visual Aesthetics
The animation style of Haunted Hotel has drawn mixed reactions from critics. The character designs feature thin vector outlines and relatively simple designs that some have compared to other forgettable adult animated series like Mulligan or Chicago Party Aunt . The limited expressiveness of these designs occasionally undercuts the comedic potential, requiring more heavy lifting from the voice performances .
Where the animation excels is in its action sequences and horror elements. The art direction incorporates creative camera angles, vibrant colors, and lighting effects that enhance the supernatural elements. During more dramatic horror sequences, the show effectively blends its cartoonish style with genuinely unsettling imagery .
The series makes frequent use of horror movie references and parodies, from The Exorcist-style possessions to Friday the 13th-inspired slasher sequences. These homages are visually creative, successfully translating live-action horror tropes into animated form while maintaining the show’s comedic tone .
Themes and Tone
Family Dynamics and Supernatural Metaphors
At its core, Haunted Hotel uses its supernatural premise to explore family relationships and grief. The relationship between Katherine and Nathan embodies the show’s central emotional conflict: how do you process loss when the deceased remains present but changed? Katherine has mourned her brother’s death while still interacting with his ghost, creating a complicated emotional dynamic that the series occasionally touches upon but rarely explores in depth .
The show also presents an unconventional family unit formed through circumstance rather than blood. Abaddon’s inclusion as a demonic “ward” explores themes of found family and acceptance, though critics noted the execution sometimes falls back on familiar sitcom patterns rather than fully developing these relationships .
Horror-Comedy Balance
Haunted Hotel positions itself as more kooky than spooky, prioritizing lighthearted comedy over genuine horror . The supernatural elements serve primarily as backdrops for character-driven humor rather than sources of actual tension or fear. This approach makes the series accessible to viewers who might typically avoid horror content, but it may disappoint those expecting more substantial scares or darker humor .
The comedy style blends surreal humor with familiar sitcom formulas. While the show features the pop culture references and absurdist tendencies associated with Rick and Morty, it generally avoids the nihilistic edge of that series in favor of more conventional family-friendly humor .
Critical Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Voice Performances: The cast receives widespread praise, particularly Will Forte’s endearing portrayal of Nathan and Jimmi Simpson’s scene-stealing work as Abaddon. Natalie Palamides also stands out as Esther, bringing depth to what could otherwise be a one-note character .
- Occasional Creative Highs: When the series embraces its weirdest concepts—like the possessive honeymoon suite or time-travel narrative—it achieves creative heights that distinguish it from more conventional animated comedies .
- Broad Appeal: The TV-14 rating and family-friendly approach make the series accessible to viewers who might find other adult animated shows too edgy or offensive .
Weaknesses
- Generic Execution: Despite its supernatural premise, the series often falls back on familiar sitcom patterns without bringing enough innovation to justify the concept. Critics frequently described the show as “bland,” “unmemorable,” and “relentlessly OK” .
- Underdeveloped Mythology: The rich potential of the hotel’s ghostly lore remains largely unexplored. intriguing concepts like “death day loopers” are introduced but never fully developed, leaving the world-building feeling shallow .
- Visual Limitations: The simple character designs and limited expression range constrain the comedy’s visual potential, making the animation feel more functional than inspired
Stream or Skip Verdict
🚫Skip It.
Despite its promising premise and talented voice cast, the series fails to elevate itself beyond being a bland, forgettable addition to Netflix’s adult animation catalog. It squanders its creative potential by relying on generic sitcom formulas and underdeveloped characters, while the animation style lacks distinctiveness. The humor often falls flat, and the show never delivers the clever writing or genuine scares its horror-comedy genre suggests. Your time is better spent watching more innovative and entertaining series.
Ultimately, Haunted Hotel is a disappointingly mediocre series that fails to capitalize on its supernatural premise or talented voice cast. With bland storytelling, forgettable humor, and a lack of genuine scares or emotional depth, it offers little reason to invest your time. You’re better off skipping this one and exploring stronger animated offerings instead.
FAQs
- Is Haunted Hotel suitable for kids?
While animated, it’s geared toward teens/adults with mild horror themes and TV-14 rating. - How many episodes are in Season 1?
The first season consists of 10 episodes, each around 24 minutes long. - Does the show connect to Rick and Morty?
It shares creatives but is tonally milder, focusing on family comedy over sci-fi chaos.
Haunted Hotel
Our Rating:⭐2.5/5
Network Netflix
Genres: 18+ Animation, US TV Comdey Series
Release Date: September 19, 2025
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 10
