RIOTUS

Welcome back to the Hazbin Hotel, where business is booming and the clientele is more boisterous than ever. The Sinners have finally realized they have the option to fight back against Heaven—and that Angels can be killed—and the shifting power balance opens up opportunities for chaos. Charlie (Erika Henningsen) is trying her best to keep the hotel on track, but family expectations and devious influences threaten to overwhelm her. Thank goodness she has Vaggie on her side, always ready to smooth things over and provide some much-needed reality; Stephanie Beatriz once again proves she’s the perfect choice to voice this character. 

They need all the help they can get, because Vox (Tony winner Christian Borle) and the Vees have some diabolical plans (even for them) to take over Heaven. Yup, Hell is simply not enough. Although it’s not all evil plans and long speeches—Amir Talai is having a ball voicing Alastor, who does some of his best work as a wrench in Vox’s plans. 

Up in Heaven, Sir Pentious is struggling to fit in after being redeemed; Broadway superstar Alex Brightman shines here, particularly (and naturally) in his musical numbers. Lute (played by Broadway’s Wicked wonder, Jessica Vosk), meanwhile, is out for revenge, if she can cut through the golden tape of angelic bureaucracy. The push and pull between making real change and returning to the comfort of the status quo is strong, and it is never more keenly felt than Heaven’s reaction to Hell’s growing animosity. 

In fact, the constant parallels between the tensions on both sides in this series and what we’re seeing in our everyday lives hit a little too close to home. Through allegory, whip-smart remarks, and messy interpersonal relationships, Hazbin Hotel S2 shows the cost of true growth. It comes from building community and being vulnerable with one another, instead of mindlessly sticking to a perceived “truth” without question. Goddamn, the season tackles media disinformation and narrative framing, closed borders, and in-fighting power grabs…it couldn’t be more obvious than if they bonked viewers over the head with a pitchfork.

S2 also examines the nuances and foibles of family and what it means to be an active part of one, whether it’s found family or reconnecting with loved ones. It’ll make your heart ache over its surprising humanity; Charlie’s differing relationships with her parents are all at once endearing and sad. The series’ explorations of what we owe one another and the road to redemption haven’t been this interesting since The Good Place. While Hazbin Hotel doesn’t reach the emotional depths of TGP, its flamboyant characters and equally bombastic animation have a certain charm, and the themes and plotlines feel more fleshed out and effective than the previous season. 

And did I mention, it’s funny as hell? The dialogue is snappy and the hyper-specific jokes are entertainingly wacky. In this show, the R in R-rated stands for Raunchy, and its colorful language should be enough to make you clutch your pearls—but it prances along the line with finesse. Its often outrageous adult themes, along with its vibrant black, white, and red hues and bold line art style stick it firmly within the realms of late night animation. But it’s Hazbin Hotel’s ability to easily flit between settings and showcase distinct character styles that work best, which is a testament to Vivienne “VivziePop” Medrano’s creative genius along with the series’ animation studio, Bento Box Entertainment.

Of course, one of the biggest draws of this show is the powerhouse musical numbers. Seriously, the songs could give most Broadway shows a run for their money; each one feels tailor-made for the super-talented musical cast. Written and produced by Sam Haft and Andrew Underberg, the numbers range from soulful to shout-out-loud to bittersweet. New single “Gravity” is a foot-stomping, ground-shaking anthem that will slot effortlessly onto your KPop Demon Hunters playlists. Cabaret-esque number “Don’t You Forget” and its villainous reprise is electrifying (quite literally). “Easy” is a sinfully good pop love song, while “Hear My Hope” is a glittering knockout, with a searing performance by Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump as Abel, proving he’s the pinnacle of the emo holy trinity (IYKYK).

Season 2 hits all the right notes of a cult-favorite musical—it has highs and lows, reprises and reveals, and it also plays fast & loose with what we know to make something entirely new. Come for the music, stay for the heart; Hazbin Hotel puts on one hell of a performance.