By Ben Wright (@Iamzavagno | www.xgeeks.co.uk)
This review is spoiler-free.
Synopsis:
When her brother Nathan passes away, Katherine inherits the Undervale Hotel — along with two kids, a dilapidated building, and a house full of restless spirits. She, her children Ben and Esther, and Nathan’s ghost must learn to coexist as they attempt to turn a haunted relic into a functioning business.
As ghostly guests refuse to check out, supernatural shenanigans ensue. Enter Abaddon, a demon trapped in the body of an 18th‑century child, who offers his otherworldly assistance. Between exorcisms gone wrong, murderous visitors, soul‑sucking demons, and ghostly schemes, the family must fend off malevolent forces while trying to make the hotel work.
I usually don’t go for these types of shows on Netflix. They seem to produce a lot of content that shares the same aesthetic, polished but ultimately forgettable. Nothing has really grabbed me in a while. That is, until Haunted Hotel arrived. Not only was the premise and horror angle immediately appealing, but seeing Jimmi Simpson attached to the project piqued my interest even more. So, I took the plunge, and I’m incredibly glad that I did.
From the very first episode, the show finds its rhythm quickly. It wastes no time establishing its premise, introducing the core characters, and giving viewers a solid idea of the formula it plans to follow. The writing is consistently strong and, impressively, gets better as the series progresses. It takes familiar horror tropes and gives them a fresh twist, often in ways that feel both clever and unexpected. The handling of ghosts and supernatural elements is particularly creative – it feels like a genuine reinvention rather than a retread.
What really surprised me is how well the horror is balanced with humour. The comedic elements don’t undercut the scares – they complement them. The show often had me smiling, and at times laughing out loud, with moments of pure comic brilliance scattered throughout. While it does settle into a sort of “creature-of-the-week” format, there are always ongoing character and story arcs bubbling beneath the surface. These threads are meaningfully developed and culminate in a genuinely satisfying finale.
Tonally, it gives off a bit of a Gravity Falls vibe at times, thanks in part to the eerie setting and the sibling dynamic, but it never feels like a copy. The show flirts with those themes without ever leaning on them too heavily or trying to reach for the same emotional heights.
Now, as for the animation style, I’ll be honest, it didn’t win me over at first. A lot of Netflix animation tends to follow a similar visual template, and initially, Haunted Hotel seemed to be no exception. However, as the series unfolds, it becomes clear that there’s a lot more creativity at play. The ghost and creature designs are visually inventive and bring a unique flair to the overall look, helping the show stand out from its peers.
Voice cast-wise, Jimmi Simpson (Abaddon) is outstanding. He delivers a layered and compelling performance that’s both eerie and oddly heartfelt. Natalie Palamides (Esther) and Skyler Gisondo (Ben) share great sibling chemistry, and Eliza Coupe (Katherine) and Will Forte (Nathan) round out this unconventional family dynamic perfectly. The five leads all bring something unique to the table, and their chemistry, both in duos and as a group, feels authentic and effortless.
Supporting performances are equally strong, with a great roster of guest stars including Kumail Nanjiani, Gaten Matarazzo, and Melissa Fumero. Riki Lindhome and Fred Tatasciore also feature in the wider ensemble, adding to a voice cast that feels genuinely stacked without being overcrowded.
Haunted Hotel is a fun, smart, and refreshingly original animated series. It blends genuine laughs with clever horror in a way that’s rarely done this well. With sharp writing, a standout cast, and visual creativity that gradually comes into its own, Haunted Hotel is one to add to your watch list if you need a lighter-themed Halloween treat!
X-Geeks 