Madeleine Hull
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy series created by Victor Fresco for Netflix. The series stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as Sheila and Joel Hammond, married real estate agents living in the suburbs of Santa Clarita, California. Their mundane lives take a dark turn when Sheila undergoes a metamorphosis and becomes a zombie with a craving for human flesh. The series blends elements of horror and comedy, with a focus on marriage and parenting dynamics, and has been described as a one-joke comedy by some reviewers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Horror, Comedy |
| Type of Comedy | One-joke comedy, Sitcom, Dark comedy |
| Creator | Victor Fresco |
| Stars | Drew Barrymore, Timothy Olyphant |
| Plot | A couple living a quiet life undergo a dramatic change when the wife becomes a zombie and starts craving human flesh |
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What You'll Learn
Santa Clarita Diet's genre: horror-comedy
The Netflix original series Santa Clarita Diet is a horror-comedy show created by Victor Fresco. It stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as Sheila and Joel Hammond, married realtors living in the suburbs of Santa Clarita, California, with their teenage daughter, Abby. Their mundane lives take a dark turn when Sheila undergoes a mysterious transformation, becoming undead and developing a craving for human flesh. As the family tries to adjust to Sheila's new condition, they must also deal with neighbours, cultural norms, and a potentially mythological mystery.
The show combines elements of horror and comedy, with a particular focus on the humour arising from Sheila's condition and its impact on her family and their everyday lives. For example, in one scene, Sheila and Joel struggle to settle on a murder victim so despicable that no one will miss them, with Joel asking, "Where are all the young, single Hitlers?". The show also includes gruesome and gory moments, such as Sheila projectile vomiting and consuming human flesh, adding to the horror-comedy tone.
Santa Clarita Diet has been described as a one-joke comedy by some reviewers, who felt that the premise of the show, centred on Sheila's condition, was the main source of humour. However, others have praised the show's blend of comedy and horror, with one reviewer calling it "easy-to-watch, funny and refreshing, with a decent amount of gore". The show has also been called genre-bending, highlighting its unique combination of horror and comedy elements.
The show's setting in the suburbs of Santa Clarita is intentional, as creator Victor Fresco wanted to depict the "`The Tedious Sameness of Suburban Life`" and the "forced friendliness" inherent in the profession of realtors. This contrast between the mundane setting and the outrageous events of the show adds to the comedic effect. The show also explores themes of marriage, parenting, and addiction, providing a satirical take on suburban life and family dynamics.
Overall, Santa Clarita Diet successfully blends horror and comedy elements to create a unique and entertaining show. By combining gruesome moments, satirical humour, and a distinctive setting, the show offers a fresh take on the horror-comedy genre.
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Sheila's transformation into a zombie
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy sitcom created by Victor Fresco for Netflix. It stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as Sheila and Joel Hammond, married real estate agents living in the suburbs of Santa Clarita, California.
The show follows Sheila's new life as an undead, empowered female zombie. Her condition brings about a radical change in her personality, making her more primal and impulsive. Despite her new undead state, Sheila continues to live her life as before, maintaining her friendships and career. She even becomes a motivational force for those around her, regularly throwing around the phrase "Live your best life".
Sheila's zombieism gives her a new attitude and a boost in her social and sex life, making her feel more alive than ever. She embraces her new lifestyle, and her family, though bewildered, seeks a cure for her condition while also dealing with the consequences, such as her craving for human flesh.
The show subverts traditional zombie tropes by portraying Sheila as a vibrant, renewed life force rather than a rotting corpse. It also explores the concept of narcissism through the undead, as stated by Fresco, who are portrayed as the ultimate narcissists, doing anything to get what they want without regard for others.
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Sheila craving human flesh
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy sitcom created by Victor Fresco for Netflix. The series stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as Sheila and Joel Hammond, married real estate agents living in the suburbs of Santa Clarita, California. Their mundane lives take a dark turn when Sheila dies and comes back to life as a zombie, craving human flesh.
As Sheila's condition progresses, she develops a strong craving for human flesh, which the show portrays as a source of dark comedy. In one instance, Sheila and Joel struggle to find a murder victim so despicable that no one will miss them, with Joel asking, "Where are all the young, single Hitlers?". The show also explores the impact of Sheila's new diet on her relationships, as she kills and eats people close to her, including her friend's husband, Dan Palmer.
Sheila's craving for human flesh is not just a plot device but also serves as a source of character development and exploration. As a zombie, Sheila undergoes a metamorphosis, and her personality becomes more primal and impulsive. This new craving leads her to act on her most basic instincts, and the show delves into the consequences of these actions. For example, when Sheila kills and eats Gary West, a realtor and the Hammonds' co-worker, the family keeps his severed head out of guilt.
The show also examines the impact of Sheila's condition on her family, particularly her husband Joel and their daughter Abby. They must navigate their new reality, dealing with neighbours and cultural norms while also trying to find a cure for Sheila's condition. The show portrays the family's struggle to adapt to Sheila's new diet and their efforts to keep her fed to prevent her from becoming feral.
While the show's comedic approach to human cannibalism has been praised as "easy-to-watch, funny and refreshing," it has also faced criticism. Some viewers have noted that the show lacks bravery in its creative choices, with sets that are "backlot-bland" and overly cute elements that undercut the horror aspects. Despite this, Santa Clarita Diet offers a unique blend of comedy and horror, providing a new take on the traditional zombie narrative.
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The show's comedic elements
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy sitcom that combines elements of horror and comedy. The show follows the lives of Joel and Sheila Hammond, married real estate agents living in the suburbs of Santa Clarita, California, with their teenage daughter, Abby. The seemingly ordinary couple's lives take an unexpected turn when Sheila undergoes a transformation, becoming a zombie with a craving for human flesh.
The dialogue between the characters is often witty and humorous, with a mix of dark humour and light-hearted banter. For example, when Sheila and Joel discuss potential murder victims, Joel asks, "Where are all the young, single Hitlers?" The show also embraces physical comedy, with scenes of Sheila projectile vomiting and the couple's awkward attempts to adapt to Sheila's new undead state.
The show's premise, a suburban family dealing with a zombie wife and mother, is inherently comical, and the show leans into the absurdity of the situation. The juxtaposition of the mundane, such as the couple's profession and their suburban surroundings, with the outrageous, like Sheila's new diet and behaviour, creates a comedic tone that is both dark and satirical. The show also incorporates elements of satire and social commentary, critiquing middle-class suburban life and the lengths people go to uphold a facade of normalcy.
Santa Clarita Diet's comedic style has been described as "a one-joke comedy" by some reviewers, with the joke being retold from different angles in each episode, each time with a darker and more gruesome punchline. Despite this critique, the show has been well-received by audiences, who find it easy to watch, funny, and refreshing, with a good balance of comedy and horror.
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The show's critical reception
Santa Clarita Diet received generally positive reviews from critics, who described it as a genre-bending comedy, a horror comedy, and a one-joke comedy. The show's premise centres on the typical, mundane lives of husband and wife real estate team Joel and Sheila Hammond, whose lives take a dark turn when Sheila undergoes a metamorphosis, becoming undead and craving human flesh.
Reviews praised the show for being easy-to-watch, funny and refreshing, with a decent amount of gore. Critics also enjoyed the performances of Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as the Hammonds, with one review noting that Olyphant "seems to enjoy playing something other than a skull-busting badass". Another review highlighted the performances of the supporting cast, including Liv Hewson as the Hammonds' daughter, Abby, and Skyler Gisondo as their neighbour, Eric Bemis.
However, some reviews criticised the show's creative choices, including the use of backlot sets and overly cute moments. One review noted that the show seemed "afraid of alienating its core audience" and lacked the courage of its convictions. The show's advertising campaign also sparked controversy in Germany, 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 over 50 complaints that the advertising was glorifying violence and inducing fear, especially in children.
Despite this, Santa Clarita Diet was well-received by audiences, with an average rating of 7.8 out of 10 on IMDb and a 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The show ran for a total of three seasons on Netflix from 2017 to 2019 before being cancelled.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Santa Clarita Diet is a comedy, but it also falls into the horror and sitcom genres.
Victor Fresco created the show for Netflix.
Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant star as Sheila and Joel Hammond, respectively.
The show is about a married couple, who are real estate agents and live in Santa Clarita, California. Their lives take a dark turn when Sheila dies and becomes a zombie, craving human flesh.
There were three seasons of the show, which premiered between 2017 and 2019.
