Redemption? Hell Yeah!: A Student Review of “Hazbin Hotel”

Have you ever done something so drastically bad or utterly embarrassing that you thought you could never ever recover in the span of your short life? Think about something so humiliating that might’ve happened years or even months ago. Something like laughing at the most inopportune time when your friend tells you about how they’re getting kicked out of their home, and you crack a smile inappropriately. Maybe when a classmate is talking about something so bleak that you can’t help but laugh—in a silent classroom. You get the gist.

If that’s ever happened to you, maybe you could understand what I’m about to say next! Hazbin Hotel, like your somewhat lesser circumstances, is a place for all sinners to return to. Sanctification and redemption are the two main traits that this hotel has to offer. Just like how you’d like to take back your embarrassment, these sinners are given the all-time chance to redeem themselves and give themselves another opportunity to pass into the pearly white gates of Heaven.

Run by the Princess of Hell, Charlie Morningstar takes on a leading role to bring all these sinners on a mission to help bring them out of Hell. Despite her being hellborn, she goes against the stigmatization of a foul, malicious demon and of what the underworld has to bring. Through her theatrical and quite optimistic mannerisms, she wants to prove to the world that people can change if they really give it a try.

Though, she really has no choice—six months are all she has before Heaven takes its toll on the sinners below. Every year, there is an extermination day to help resolve the overpopulation crisis that has taken place down in Hell. This event protects the people of Heaven, however, its exterminators have definitely taken pride in the desire to exterminate everybody who resides. However, their mission becomes misguided when extermination is no longer about the safeguarding of their kingdom but a display of entertainment for themselves.

It is up to Charlie and her fated Hazbin Hotel to decide whether or not she can use this time to save the people that she has sworn to protect. Despite its hellish symbolism and the quite literal representation of the underworld, the showsaves a bit of time for a very musical aspect. Quite frankly, it was surprising to see demons start singing their hearts out just like it had been a Broadway show.

Well, if Hell hadn’t inspired you to watch this, I can assure you that the cast is filled with singers that have worked exclusively in Broadway and have even landed roles in Disney films. That’s right, “Hazbin Hotel” is not only just a show about pure damnation but melodious damnation!

I found that through its quips and spontaneous shenanigans, that the show was most enjoyable. It only took me about two days to finish the show altogether (only because six out of eight episodes were out at the time). It’s a really fun watch, and I can tell you that all of the songs are quite distinct. Every character that sings (which is almost 80% of the cast) puts their own spin on each of the contributions they bring to the table. There isn’t one dull moment in the show, and I’m not just talking about all the flames, explosions, and complete havoc either! It is a really engaging storyline, and the designs of each character captivate you truly. Every character shares their story, and you’ll find through laughter, tears, and even bitter spite, that you’ll truly appreciate the art that this show has to bring.

Tune in on Amazon Prime to watch all eight episodes of the season. The Hazbin Hotel awaits you.

Featured Image: Amazon Studios