From 'tasteless' to 'the best show ever', Prime Video's 'Hazbin Hotel' leaves viewers divided

Charlie Morningstar's shenanigians to help sinners is earning mixed reviews onlines
PUBLISHED JAN 20, 2024
Episode 4 of 'Hazbin Hotel' has sparked controversy by addressing sexual assault in a song, with opinions divided between those praising its empathetic approach and others criticizing the use of humor in tackling such a serious subject (Prime Video)
Episode 4 of 'Hazbin Hotel' has sparked controversy by addressing sexual assault in a song, with opinions divided between those praising its empathetic approach and others criticizing the use of humor in tackling such a serious subject (Prime Video)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Directed by Vivienne Medrano, 'Hazbin Hotel' is a unique take on adult animation with a strong dose of dark comedy. The ten-part series is a musical ride set against the backdrop of Hell.

The series' pilot debuted on YouTube in 2019 and was picked up by Prime Video to be released as an eight-part series.

'Hazbin Hotel' chronicles the journey of Lucifier’s daughter, Charlie Morningstar, as she attempts to help slain souls get a ticket to heaven.

The characters in the series are voiced by Vivienne Medrano, Adam Neylan, Dave Capdevielle, and Kendraw Cook, among others.

Viewers hail Vivienne Medrano's earnest efforts for 'Hazbin Hotel'

Luca informs about Angel's death in 'Hazbin Hotel' Season 1 (Prime Video)
A still from 'Hazbin Hotel' Season 1 (Prime Video)

The first four episodes of 'Hazbin Hotel' have already been released and are generating mixed reviews. While the production team is garnering accolades for their sincere efforts, the viewers are critical of the overly suggestive sexual content in the adult animation.

Viewers are hailing Medrano's earnest attempt to breathe life into the series as one X user wrote, "ATTENTION ALL HAZBIN AND HELLUVA FANS! Big Round of Applause for the woman of the year @VivziePop and all of those who worked on @HazbinHotel and made this the best show ever!!!! #vivziepop #hazbinHote."



 

Raving about Sir Pentious an X user wrote, "Sir pentious is my favorite silly fella in hazbin hotel rn everytime he appears are the best moments", while another wrote, "Sir Pentious and Adam's song blew their mind."Adam's song is my favorite of the entire episode, it blew me away!!! And I get a thrill like that when people go to a live concert. And in the second episode, I love the song that Alastor and Vox sing, what's that called...an acoustic duel? Whatever it was, I loved it, a lot."



 



 

Another user termed the series as the best cartoon series in a long time and said, "I watched #HazbinHotel All 4 episodes and I'm f*****g impressed! I mean it! This show is awesome. I wasn't sure about this I'm a #HelluvaBoss fan after all, so I wasn't as thrilled. But after watching it I have to say this is one of the best cartoons I've watched in a long time."



 

'Hazbin Hotel' Episode 4 receives mixed reactions for depicting sexual assault 

A still from 'Hazbin Hotel' Season 1 (Prime Video)
A still from 'Hazbin Hotel' Season 1 (Prime Video)

While the overall reception of 'Hazbin Hotel' has been positive, Episode 4 has sparked controversy among viewers. This particular episode features a song addressing sexual assault, and opinions on its portrayal vary widely. While some commend the show for handling the sensitive topic with empathy and giving a voice to survivors, others criticize it for incorporating humor into such a serious issue.

Talking about the same, an X user wrote, "In no way, with or without context for Hazbin Hotel Episode 4 Vivziepop still put SA in the whole thing, not only was Angel beaten, and SAed, but they glorified and downplayed the whole thing, EVERYTHING! this episode just- drained me," while another said, "So i decided to watch #HazbinHotel. Meaning i also saw episode 4. And the Poison scene. What a f*****g vile and disgustingly tactless way to show SA. Like this s**t's awful. The fact Viv has been making JOKES about Angel's abuse, and the fact she hired a f******g proshipper for-."



 



 

One user commented, "Cw/ Sa, Hazbin Hotel Just saw small bits of episode 4 and what the actual f**k. Its so tasteless and disrespectful to handle such a heavy and disturbing topic with a crappy pop song. They could have used music and made it somber (1/?)."



 

However, some Internet users also praised how the show handled sensitive topics as one user wrote, "Okay episode 4 of hazbin hotel made me absolutely LOVE Angel Dust he's now my favorite character <333 The way this episode handled elements of abuse was amazing and made me feel seen (even tho I've never been SA'd, I've been abused) and I'm so happy this show exists."



 

Another commented, "Just watched All of Hazbin Hotels episodes and I just want to say the F*****G MUSIC IS AMAZING also, f**k everyone that was saying episode 4 was gonna glamorize Angels SA because it didn't, it is still a bit graphic but it definitely didn't glamorize it. #HazbinHotel." 



 

What is the plot of the ‘Hanzbin Hotel?'

The story revolves around Hell's princess, Charlie Morningstar's attempt to provide a chance of salvation for the sinners who are being eradicated as Hell's population reaches its brimming point.

Charlie, accompanied by her crew, Vaggie, and one of her test subjects, Angel Dust, opens the door to her hotel, 'Happy Hotel'.

The series further explores Charlie's fervent efforts to rehabilitate as many sinners as possible so that they can gain a ticket to heaven.

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