On September 19, 2025, “Haunted Hotel” made its premiere on Netflix with a ten-episode season. “Haunted Hotel” is an American animated comedy horror created by Matt Roller who is known for his works on comedy TV series such as “Mr. Mayor,” “Community,” and the popular animated science fiction sitcom “Rick and Morty.” The show entered Netflix’s top 10 English language shows shortly after its release and has received a 73% approval rate from critics on Rotten Tomatoes as well.
The series follows the life of divorcee Katherine (Eliza Coupe) and her children Ben (Skyler Gisondo) and Esther (Natalie Palamides), as they move into the Undervale Hotel after the death of her brother Nathan (Will Forte). With what might seem like an ordinary hotel to some, the Undervale Hotel holds a not-so-secret secret — it’s haunted by the ghosts of past residents that insist on scaring off any potential guest. Katherine is not only tasked with running the hotel but also keeping the quirky, crazy, ghost antics under control. The family soon befriends Abbadon (Jimmi Simpson), a demon trapped in a 1700s child’s body, who agrees to help them fend off monsters and murders.
With the declining number of guests, Katherine is left with no choice but to call an exorcist and get rid of the ghosts. Even with the persuasion of Nathan, who is now a ghost haunting the hotel, Katherine is still adamant of her decision. However, her decision only strains her relationship with her brother. Soon after the ghosts are banished to the afterlife, she realizes that the hotel needs its ghostly friends when a demon named Mortdoth is summoned to destroy the hotel. Together with Nathan, the ghosts, and her children, Katherine works towards making the Undervale Hotel successful.
Throughout the show, Katherine learns to balance her responsibilities of running the hotel and her responsibilities as a mother. She not only improves her relationship with Nathan but also learns more about Ben and Esther. Towards the end of the season, the family fights off soul-sucking demons with Esther taking charge and protecting the guests, and Katherine revealing the truth behind Nathan’s death, complicating her relationship with her brother once again. The season ends with Abbadon saving the family from an apocalypse caused by the Acolytes of Abbadon, a cult dedicated to bringing Abbadon back home. With Ben and Esther’s sibling antics, Katherine’s plans to bring in more guests, Abbadon’s present-day discoveries, Nathan’s decision to be helpful, and the ghost stunts, each day at the Undervale Hotel is never boring.
I would rate “Haunted Hotel” a 3.5 out of 5 for its overall entertainment. I really enjoyed the quirky ghost and human interactions, the development of characters, and the growth of relationships between characters. Abbadon’s interactions with present-day technology bring the millennial/gen-Z humor. While Ben and Esther showcase the chaotic brother-sister bond. “Haunted Hotel” not only gives viewers a different view to the concept of haunted hotels but also dives deep into emotional topics and what it means to be oneself.
Although the show garners mixed reviews, as some believe it’s a good blend of humor and horror, while others believe that it lacks creativity as it shares similarities to the CBS series “Ghosts”. Whether or not you agree or disagree about the show being a great blend of humor and horror, “Haunted Hotel” is a great show to watch during the spooky season. The show recently earned a second season renewal on September 26, 2025. Fans can look forward to many more chaotic events at the Undervale Hotel featuring new characters and deeper ghost backstories. Follow the fun and chaotic antics of Katherine and her family in the first season of “Haunted Hotel” currently available on Netflix.
