Queer Ghost Hunting Show ‘Living For The Dead’ Gets Mixed Reviews

Hulu recently released a reality ghost hunting show called Living For The Dead which follows a group of queer ghost hunters as they travel around the country with the goal of helping people deal with both paranormal and personal hauntings.

The show, which is directed by actor Kristen Stuart, is resonating with some, but was also pointed out as being problematic in a few rather interesting ways.

A podcast called Outward, which is hosted by Christina Cauterucci, Jules Patterson, and Bryan Louder, did some comentary where they explain that the show isn’t very original. Cauterucci criticized the show for stealing elements from the show Queer Eye and adding a paranormal twist.

Cauterucci says: “I found the whole thing to be such a shallow imitation of Queer Eye, where they are trying to create a sort of, like, queer zingerey and queer effect of the show Queer Eye. …I think it’s actively harmful, what this show is doing to both the viewers and the people they’re interacting with.”

The Daily Beast interviewed the executive producers of the show. In an interview with Rob Eric and Renata Lombardo, they talk about how Stewart was obsessed when talking about the idea of the show. They relate to the cast as “queer Scooby-Doo.”

However, the podcast hosts believe that this show is broadcasting people’s real life trauma and pushing them into “a demon shaped box,” as Cauterucci.

While there is queer representation in the cast as a whole, the show leaves the podcast hosts feeling like it sends a message that queer people have a need to “heal others” because “We have been so wronged by society.”

While it is absolutely valid to call out if a show is unoriginal, since there is so much content these days, as well as for every individual to bow out of consuming any content they find triggering, it seems a bit harsh to call the show “actively harmful.” While it is not queer folks’ job to educate others about our identifies or help heal others’ life trauma because we ourselves were hurt, some of choose to. It seems these folks just choose to do it in a paranormal setting.

Photo courtesy of Hulu Press