Hazbin Hotel Season 2 Review: An Explosively Extravagant and Raunchier Encore

In its first season, it felt like Hazbin Hotel was Prime Video’s underdog story in terms of its animated projects. However, when it made its run, Hazbin Hotel Season 1 blasted off in ways that I still can’t believe were possible for a show like this. Yet, with a truly dedicated fanbase, a wild cast of characters, and great songs, its success was definitely foreseen.

Now, with Hazbin Hotel Season 2 coming into full swing, there’s a lot to expect thanks to Vivienne Medrano and the creative team. From some more fun and catchy songs that’ll stick with you for days to its blend of wild and sweet moments, this season looks to be the show’s sharpest yet.

This all begins with whatever Charlie Morningstar’s up to now, given how she’s still coping with Pentious’s temporary loss from Season 1 Episode 8 “The Show Must Go On”.

Throughout Season 2, Charlie takes a much more driven role in that her search for Pentious is the highest priority on her mind. As such, it might make her feel like she’s taken more of a backseat position in terms of the larger narrative. However, despite Season 2’s broader focus on its other characters, Charlie’s journey still has enough depth to compel the overarching narrative forward.

This results in Charlie’s shenanigans with her friends to be more chaotic than ever to prove that the hotel’s purpose actually works. In fact, her plans are much more deranged, from having this elaborate, yet crazy, Western-inspired setup involving a train to making herself the center of Hell’s attention in rambunctiously unintentional ways. 

Charlie’s arc about proving her point, to both Hell and, in ways, herself, has its strength in a theme of reliance despite Vox trying to constantly manipulate everyone. Charlie’s needs goes to show both ways, especially with Vaggie, who takes over managing the Hotel while trying to figure out a better name for herself.

Although, this idea of “building up from commonalities” isn’t necessarily seen for the rest of her friends. Particularly, while Season 1 prominently captured this through Angel Dust and Husk’s relationship, it slightly decreases their time together, allowing it to simmer here and there until the endgame.

However, for other characters, like Cherri Bomb, this idea is infused into their arcs. With Cherri Bomb, specifically, she’s still reeling from Pentious’s loss in a more deeper, if flirtatious, manner unlike Charlie. Cherri and Pentious share a wonderful duet that encapsulates this thematic dynamic, which fleshes itself out further more.

Speaking about Pentious (without getting into spoiler territory), the initial episodes present his introduction to Heaven in perhaps a really hilarious, if a bit bleak, way.

His changes and development throughout Season 2 prove to not only be interesting narratively, but also emotionally bittersweet as he acts as a middle ground between Heaven and Hell. Whereas the rest of Heaven, including Sera and Emily, believe he’s a key, Lute (seen back on Season 1 Episode 6 and 8) truly despises his guts.

With Heaven being a key player as well, we get much time between Sera, Emily, Lute, and Adam’s precarious son, Abel, in this “locked-in” debate about Hell’s uprising and such. While there’s ample time to show their complexities, their rivalry is mostly (also) there for narrative-driven purposes.

That said, the Vees, including the megalomaniac Vox, horny Valentino, and social-savvy Velvette, are brought more into the limelight. Of course, Vox takes the spotlight, not only as Season 2’s villain but having some truly amazing musical numbers that mix modern rock with a jazzy flair.

As for Valentino and Velvette, the way that Hazbin Hotel Season 2 builds them is genuinely unique as both of them believe their right to Vox’s plan, even though Vox is self-centric as hell. Yet, both of them are uniquely positioned in the narrative, especially with Valentino and his manipulation of Angel Dust as it gets more driven home, hard.

Of course, we can’t speak without mentioning Alastor and his own plans, which are a whole conundrum in Hazbin Hotel Season 2. It doesn’t necessarily impact the overarching narrative of Season 2, but the way that Alastor treats Charlie’s plan makes you really think he’s out for himself. Not to say that isn’t true, though, but Alastor just keeps being meticulous as ever.

That seems to be the thing with Hazbin Hotel Season 2: it’s expanding more on these characters in ways that were genuinely unexpected. In a way, the way that some of these characters are explored makes you really wonder how long Medrano and her team have been waiting to do this with this franchise for so long.

If you thought that Helluva Boss gave us a universal look on things happening between Heaven and Hell, then expect Season 2 to be more bolder in that regard.

Moreover, Hazbin Hotel Season 2’s track listing is truly amazing as most of the songs this seasons truly come out with a bang. Including the rock-heavy “Gravity”, which defied my own expectations, there are more songs out there that’ll really stick with you after. Specifically, there’s a few ones on Season 2 Episodes 5 and 7 that stand out.

In terms of how Season 2 tonally builds to Season 3, there are hints here and there about an inevitable arrival and encounter, but only expect those pieces to drop in the first two episodes. It might feel somewhat unsatisfactory, given Season 1’s conclusion with Lute and Lilith, but it makes Season 3 all the more promising.

Still, there’s enough colorful and explosive set pieces that make Season 1 feel a bit smaller in comparison. There’s a blend between nuanced moments of tension and grander, energetic action pieces and battles that will certainly satiate your hunger for more kills, blood, and everything in between. 

Overall, Hazbin Hotel Season 2 is a bombastic and electrifying encore with its extensive character dives, fantastic musical numbers, and explosive sequences despite how it divides its time. Medrano and her team have once again shown the potential of blending Broadway and untamed raunchiness together in a way that somehow feels very endearing.

With a Season 3 and 4 already on the horizon, I simply can’t wait for what the next chapter for Charlie and her friends holds.

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Hazbin Hotel Season 2 premieres on Wednesday, October 29, on Prime Video.

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