Brenda Khan
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy sitcom created by Victor Fresco for Netflix. The show follows suburban realtors Joel and Sheila Hammond, whose lives take a dark turn when Sheila becomes a zombie and starts craving human flesh. As they try to find a cure for her condition, they must also navigate their everyday lives, including dealing with neighbours and cultural norms. The show has received generally positive reviews, with many praising its dark humour, excellent cast, and engaging premise. However, the level of gore and horror might not be to everyone's taste, especially men who are not fans of the horror-comedy genre.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Horror Sitcom |
| Plot | A realtor who becomes a zombie and starts craving human flesh |
| Stars | Drew Barrymore, Timothy Olyphant |
| Number of Seasons | 3 |
| Reviews | Generally positive |
| Ratings | 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67/100 on Metacritic |
| Cancellation | Cancelled on a cliffhanger |
| Themes | Dark humor, narcissism, bigotry |
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What You'll Learn
The show's exploration of narcissism through the zombie angle
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy that premiered on Netflix in 2017. The show centres on suburban realtors Joel and Sheila Hammond, whose lives take a dark turn when Sheila becomes a zombie. The show's creator, Victor Fresco, has stated that the zombie angle allowed him to explore the concept of narcissism.
The show's exploration of narcissism is evident in Sheila's new undead personality, which is impulsive, primal and, as some viewers have pointed out, narcissistic. This is a stark contrast to her previous self, as, before becoming a zombie, Sheila is portrayed as a loving wife and mother. After her transformation, she becomes more assertive and confident, and her new-found strength goes unchecked. This shift in personality is indicative of a narcissistic character, as she becomes more focused on her own desires, such as her craving for human flesh, rather than the needs of those around her.
The show also explores the idea of zombies as the "ultimate narcissists" and consumers who consume without thinking, as they are driven by their insatiable hunger and will do anything to satisfy their cravings, regardless of the consequences for others. This interpretation of zombies as narcissists is a unique take on the genre, as it is more common for zombies to be portrayed as mindless and devoid of human emotion.
Santa Clarita Diet also plays with the idea of narcissism through its exploration of unconditional love and marriage. Despite the challenges presented by Sheila's new condition, Joel and Sheila's love for each other remains strong, and they work together as a team. This dynamic showcases the power of unconditional love and how it can survive even the most dramatic of changes. However, their love also leads them to commit murder, as they are willing to go to extreme lengths to satisfy Sheila's cravings.
Overall, the show's exploration of narcissism through the zombie angle adds a unique layer of depth to the story and provides a fascinating insight into the complexities of human behaviour and relationships.
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The dynamic between Sheila and Joel Hammond
Sheila and Joel's relationship is far from typical, yet they navigate the challenges of Sheila's new undead lifestyle together. While Sheila's transformation brings about a radical shift in her personality, making her more primal and impulsive, Joel remains supportive and dedicated to finding a cure for her condition. Even as Sheila starts craving and consuming human flesh, Joel stands by her side, helping her adapt to her new diet and even assisting in finding victims to satisfy her cravings. Their shared experiences bring them closer, strengthening their bond and showcasing their unwavering commitment to each other.
The couple's dynamic is characterised by their mutual support and willingness to help each other pursue their passions. Despite the craziness of their new reality, they ensure that they make time for their individual interests. Joel, for instance, continues to explore his love for fine woodworking and enjoys the occasional recreational pot-smoking session. Meanwhile, Sheila encourages Joel to learn about her undead lifestyle, enabling him to better understand her new needs and behaviours.
Sheila and Joel's relationship is also notable for its progressive approach to gender roles. They share equal responsibility for the family income and household duties, breaking free from traditional societal expectations. Their dynamic is a refreshing portrayal of a modern marriage, where both partners actively contribute to all aspects of their lives together.
The show's exploration of their relationship has received praise, with critics describing it as a "touching affirmation of marital love" and highlighting the "pitch-perfect chemistry" between the characters.
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The show's opposition to bigotry and prejudice
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror sitcom created by Victor Fresco for Netflix. The series centres on husband and wife real estate team Joel and Sheila Hammond, whose lives take a dark turn when Sheila becomes a zombie and starts craving human flesh.
The show has been praised for its "dark humour" and has been described as a "perfect life goes wrong story". It has also been commended for its excellent cast, frequent laughs, and engaging premise.
Santa Clarita Diet has been noted for its unusual forthrightness in addressing political issues. While it does use analogies, it also tackles real-life bigotry. The series follows N.K. Jemisin's rule of metaphor for stories about prejudice—it spells out its messages openly, instead of relying solely on analogies.
In Season 2, the Hammonds encounter Nazis, who make bigoted comments about Jews and people of colour. In Season 3, the show shifts its focus to men's rights activists. The season introduces a character who hates women, boasting about tormenting his ex-wife and mocking Sheila, not because she's a zombie, but because she's a woman. The show confronts misogyny and highlights the fantasy of tearing apart such bigots.
Santa Clarita Diet also questions the prejudices of its main characters, Joel and Sheila, while addressing issues like narcissism and forced friendliness.
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The show's dark humour
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy sitcom created by Victor Fresco for Netflix. The show stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as Sheila and Joel Hammond, a couple of suburban realtors whose lives take a dark turn when Sheila becomes a zombie.
The dark humour in Santa Clarita Diet extends beyond the gore and explores various themes, including narcissism, the nature of humanity, and prejudice. Creator Victor Fresco has stated that the zombie angle allowed him to delve into the concept of narcissism, portraying the undead as the "ultimate narcissists" who are driven by their immediate desires. The show also poses thought-provoking questions about what it means to be human, as the characters grapple with Sheila's altered state and her increasingly primal instincts.
One of the most notable aspects of the show's dark humour is its approach to tackling bigotry and prejudice. In seasons 2 and 3, the show takes a stand against bigotry by having the characters encounter Nazis and men's rights activists. The show doesn't shy away from addressing misogyny head-on, using the zombie metaphor to highlight the very real and familiar forms of prejudice that women face. Through its dark humour and over-the-top scenarios, Santa Clarita Diet delivers a powerful message about the importance of confronting hatred and prejudice directly.
Overall, the show's dark humour lies in its ability to find comedy in the macabre, blending horror and humour seamlessly. It invites viewers to laugh at the absurdity of the situations the characters find themselves in while also exploring deeper themes that reflect our own society.
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The show's take on the perfect life goes wrong trope
Santa Clarita Diet is a 2017 horror-comedy show that takes on the "perfect life goes wrong" trope. The show centres on Joel and Sheila Hammond, a husband-and-wife real estate team living in the LA suburb of Santa Clarita, California. They are, by all measures, a happy couple and solid realtors, selling houses and raising their 16-year-old daughter, Abby. However, their normal, mundane lives take a turn for the worse when Sheila undergoes a metamorphosis and becomes a zombie.
Sheila starts exhibiting symptoms such as vomiting and an insatiable craving for human flesh. Unlike traditional zombies, Sheila retains her emotions and continues to love her family. She also remains physically intact, with her skin looking dewy fresh, and surprisingly, she does not smell bad. These characteristics challenge the stereotypical portrayal of zombies in popular culture.
As the Hammonds try to help Sheila manage her new condition, they face various obstacles and have to deal with neighbours and cultural norms. They also seek a cure for her condition while navigating the consequences, such as Sheila's altered personality, which has become more primal and impulsive. The show explores the impact of Sheila's transformation on their relationships and their attempts to maintain a sense of normalcy in their lives.
The show's take on the "perfect life goes wrong" trope adds a layer of dark humour and absurdity to the story. It plays with the idea of a seemingly perfect suburban life suddenly being upended by a bizarre and grotesque twist. The contrast between the mundane realities of suburban life and the outrageous circumstances of Sheila's condition creates a unique blend of comedy and horror that has garnered positive reviews from critics and audiences alike.
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Frequently asked questions
Santa Clarita Diet has received generally positive reviews, with praise for its cast, humour, and engaging premise. The show has an approval rating of 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 67 out of 100 on Metacritic for its first season. The second and third seasons also received positive reviews, with approval ratings of 89% and 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, respectively. Many viewers have expressed disappointment that the show was cancelled after three seasons.
Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror-comedy sitcom created by Victor Fresco for Netflix. It centres on a husband-and-wife real estate team, Joel and Sheila Hammond, whose lives are turned upside down when Sheila becomes a zombie and starts craving human flesh. The show follows the family as they seek a cure for Sheila's condition while navigating neighbours, cultural norms, and a mysterious mythology.
Yes, Santa Clarita Diet contains graphic content and gore, including cannibalism and violence. While some viewers enjoyed the comedic gore, others have noted that it might not be to everyone's taste.
If you enjoyed Santa Clarita Diet, you might also like other horror-comedy shows such as What We Do in the Shadows, iZombie, and movies like Shaun of the Dead.
