Milly Gaines
The Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy series created by Victor Fresco for Netflix. The show centres on a suburban couple, the Hammonds, whose lives are upended when Sheila, a realtor, becomes a zombie and starts craving human flesh. While some viewers have praised the show for its smart humour and consistent character development, others have criticised it for being too graphic and disgusting. One Washington Post article describes the show as actively nauseating, with the author taking issue with the show's explicit violence and gore. The show's marketing campaign also received backlash in Germany, with Netflix's promotional posters accused of glorifying violence. These responses to the show have sparked a debate about whether the Santa Clarita Diet is desensitising viewers to its graphic content.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Show Type | Horror Sitcom |
| Creator | Victor Fresco |
| Streaming Service | Netflix |
| Star Cast | Drew Barrymore, Timothy Olyphant |
| Plot | A couple of real estate agents, Joel and Sheila Hammond, face challenges when Sheila turns into a zombie and craves human flesh |
| Number of Seasons | 3 |
| Number of Episodes | 10 |
| Reception | Mixed reviews, with some praising the show's humour and character development, while others criticise the acting and find the content disgusting and disturbing |
| Advertising | Posters depicting human flesh were used in Germany, sparking criticism for glorifying violence |
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What You'll Learn
The show's marketing focused on cannibalism and gore
The marketing campaign for Santa Clarita Diet centred on the show's gore and cannibalism, with promotional content heavily featuring blood and viscera. The key art for the series, for instance, depicted a "blood-spattered" logo, with the show's title written in a dripping, red font, resembling blood. This imagery was consistent across various marketing materials, including posters, billboards, and online banners. The use of such graphic visuals immediately drew attention to the show's horror-comedy blend, emphasising the presence of cannibalism and gore as central elements.
Trailers and teaser clips released ahead of the show's premiere also leaned heavily into the gore. These videos often included quick cuts of violent scenes, showcasing blood, guts, and the act of cannibalism itself. One particular trailer featured a montage of characters consuming human flesh, with close-ups of bloody mouths and hands, emphasising the grotesque nature of the show's premise. The marketing campaign even extended to interactive experiences, with a "blood-soaked" pop-up diner installation in Australia, where participants could "feast like Sheila". These promotional strategies ensured that the show's association with cannibalism and gore was front and centre in the public eye.
The show's promotional strategy also utilised dark humour to draw attention to the gore. Many of the marketing materials included witty taglines and one-liners that poked fun at the gruesome content. For example, one poster featured a close-up of a bloody handprint with the tagline, "It's a crime not to try our new menu." This blend of humour and horror created a unique appeal, inviting viewers to embrace the show's twisted sense of comedy. By embracing the gore rather than shying away from it, the marketing campaign encouraged audiences to view the show's graphic content through a lens of dark humour.
Additionally, the show's marketing campaign capitalised on the shock factor of contrasting the gore with the otherwise mundane setting of suburban life. Promotional content often featured images of blood-spattered kitchens, backyards, and living rooms, emphasising the juxtaposition between everyday life and the grotesque nature of cannibalism. This contrast was further emphasised in promotional videos, which intercut scenes of violent cannibalism with shots of the seemingly normal suburban neighbourhood. By doing so, the marketing campaign played with the idea of hidden horrors beneath the surface of an ordinary town, creating a sense of intrigue and curiosity that drew viewers in.
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The show's treatment of cannibalism is desensitizing
The show's marketing campaign also sparked controversy in Germany, where Netflix promoted the show with posters depicting a human finger sliced up like a currywurst sausage. The German Advertising Council received over 50 complaints that the advertising was glorifying violence and inducing fear in children.
Some viewers have criticised the show for being too lightweight to support the dark subject matter, with one reviewer stating that the show "seems to be offering us a series of barf jokes, not a 'Hannibal'-style vivisection of the soul". The show's treatment of cannibalism has been described as cringey and bland, with another reviewer stating that they found the show to be "desensitizing the masses to cannibalism".
Overall, while the show's treatment of cannibalism is intended to be humorous and ironic, it has provoked a strong reaction from some viewers who find it disturbing and desensitizing.
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The show's humour is not for everyone
The show's marketing campaign also received a mixed response. Some viewers were intrigued by the show's trailer, while others were turned off by the emphasis on cannibalism. The advertising for the show in Germany sparked criticism, with Netflix promoting the show with posters depicting a human finger sliced up like a currywurst, a popular German fast food dish. The German Advertising Council received complaints that the advertising was glorifying violence and inducing fear, especially in children.
The show's content and marketing sparked debates about desensitisation and normalisation. One user on Reddit expressed concern that the show was desensitizing the masses to cannibalism, while another user on the same platform commented that the show seemed aimed at stupid people, low IQ types.
Overall, while some viewers appreciated the show's unique blend of humour and darkness, others found it off-putting or even disturbing. The show's content and marketing sparked discussions about the potential impact on viewers and the normalisation of violent or taboo topics.
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The show's actors received mixed reviews
One viewer stated that while they enjoyed the show, they "can't stand" Barrymore, whereas another said that Olyphant "kills it" in the series. Another commenter said that Barrymore is a "terrible actor" but that Olyphant "makes it work because he's just so good".
Some viewers also expressed their dislike for the show's dark humour and zombie genre. One user said that they "was turned off early on" because they "never liked zombie things". Another viewer mentioned that they "hates dark humour and is over the zombie genre as a whole".
Despite the mixed reviews for Barrymore's performance, the first season of the show received generally positive reviews overall.
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The show's portrayal of zombies is unrealistic
The portrayal of zombies in the Netflix horror-comedy series *Santa Clarita Diet* is notably unrealistic. The show centres on a suburban mom named Sheila, played by Drew Barrymore, who suddenly finds herself craving and consuming human flesh. While the show does play on many tropes of zombie fiction, it takes several liberties with the premise, deviating from the traditional portrayal of zombies in several ways.
Firstly, Sheila's mobility and coordination improve after becoming a zombie, making her more spritely and assertive. This is in contrast to the traditional portrayal of zombies as slow, shambling corpses with limited mobility and coordination. Additionally, Sheila's hunger goes beyond the classic brain-hungry stereotype, as she craves various human body parts, including intestines and feet.
Another unrealistic aspect of the show's portrayal of zombies is Sheila's retention of her emotions and human connections. Unlike the typical portrayal of zombies as devoid of consciousness and human emotion, Sheila continues to love her husband and daughter, and her zombie state even intensifies her emotions. She also retains a sense of socially acceptable behaviour and personal boundaries, which is not typically associated with zombies.
Furthermore, Sheila's speech and communication skills set her apart from the typical zombie. While zombies are often portrayed as only being able to muster incoherent groans or monosyllabic words, Sheila is well-spoken, quick-witted, and capable of social commentary. Her comedic timing and confidence, which improve after becoming a zombie, are also notable deviations from the traditional portrayal of zombies as mindless and soulless.
The show also stretches the timeline typically associated with zombie fiction. In most zombie stories, infection leads to death and immediate reanimation. In *Santa Clarita Diet*, however, the timeline is extended, with Sheila remaining largely herself even after becoming undead. While her body does start to deteriorate halfway through the season, this is a slower process than the rapid decay typically associated with zombies.
Overall, while *Santa Clarita Diet* does engage with some zombie tropes, its portrayal of zombies is notably unrealistic and deviates from many traditional aspects of the genre.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, some viewers believe that the show is trying to normalize cannibalism and make it more acceptable to the masses. The show's marketing also emphasized the cannibalism aspect, with one promotional poster in Germany depicting a human finger sliced up like a currywurst, which received complaints for glorifying violence.
The show uses dark humor and irony to make light of the cannibalism and zombie themes, which some viewers found off-putting. The juxtaposition of the gory scenes with the tidiness of the suburban setting and the characters' everyday lives may have contributed to this perception.
The impact of desensitization in the show can vary among viewers. Some may find it entertaining and a refreshing take on the zombie genre, while others may find it disturbing, disgusting, or off-putting. Ultimately, the show's attempt at desensitization may not be successful for all viewers, as it depends on individual sensitivities and preferences.
