Santa Clarita Diet is an American comedy horror television series created by Victor Fresco for Netflix, starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant. The single-camera series premiered on February 3, 2017, and ran for three seasons.
Premise
The series centers on Joel and Sheila Hammond, a married couple who work as real estate agents in the suburban town of Santa Clarita, California. Their normal, mundane lives take a dark turn when Sheila undergoes a metamorphosis and becomes undead, craving human flesh. The show follows their efforts to adjust to this new reality while keeping it a secret from their friends and neighbors.
Development and Production
Victor Fresco, known for writing off-kilter family comedies, developed the premise for Santa Clarita Diet from a desire to create a "family show with an interesting approach that we haven't seen before." The zombie element allowed Fresco to explore themes of narcissism and empowerment. According to Fresco, "the undead are the ultimate narcissists."
Fresco drew from his own experience growing up in San Fernando Valley for the setting. He wanted the family to be in a middle-class, working-class suburb, and he appreciated the organized and groomed nature of the Santa Clarita community, which he felt contrasted well with the chaos that ensues in the Hammonds' lives. He chose to make Sheila and Joel realtors because he liked the forced friendliness inherent in the real estate business.
Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant were Fresco's top choices for the roles of Sheila and Joel. Netflix heavily suggested Olyphant. Although Barrymore had never done television before, she loved the script and embraced the physicality of the role. Olyphant, known for his more dramatic roles, surprised Fresco with his comedic abilities. Fresco noted that Barrymore and Olyphant had great chemistry together, both on and off camera.
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Plot Overview
Season 1
The first season introduces the Hammonds as they grapple with Sheila's transformation into a zombie. Sheila's new condition brings about a change in her personality, making her more assertive and impulsive. To satisfy her cravings, Joel and Sheila must find a source of human flesh while avoiding detection.
Sheila and Joel consult with their nerdy neighbor Eric, who helps them understand Sheila's zombie state. They soon discover that Sheila is not really alive anymore, as her blood has been replaced with a black goo. Sheila ends up killing people in order to eat them, starting with Gary, a coworker who had tried to force himself sexually on her.
As the season progresses, the Hammonds encounter various obstacles, including suspicious neighbors, police officers, and other zombies. They also seek a cure for Sheila's condition, leading them to Dr. Cora Wolf, who has been working on a cure for the virus based on an ancient Serbian book.
In the season finale, Abby tests the unfinished cure on herself. Joel is arrested and institutionalized, and Sheila locks herself in the basement to prevent herself from harming others.
Season 2
In Season 2, Joel and Sheila continue their efforts to find a permanent cure for Sheila's condition while dealing with the consequences of their actions in the first season. They encounter new challenges, including a group of Serbian knights who are hunting zombies and a nosy neighbor who suspects their secret.
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Anne Garcia, a sheriff deputy, starts to date Dan's wife Lisa immediately after Dan's death. Eric also becomes close with Joel, as the pair of them tried to find a cure for Sheila's condition.
Sheila and Joel realize they never gave Gary's head the serum and have to deal with what to do with his mostly rotten head in their basement. The FBI are investigating the fracking site explosion.
Season 3
The third and final season sees the Hammonds facing even greater threats as the zombie virus spreads and more people become aware of Sheila's condition. Joel decides to become a Knight of Serbia to protect Sheila, which involves passing a series of strange tests. Sheila turns Jean undead without telling anyone else. The season ends on a cliffhanger, with Joel possibly becoming a zombie himself.
Cast and Characters
- Drew Barrymore as Sheila Hammond: A real estate agent who becomes a zombie.
- Timothy Olyphant as Joel Hammond: Sheila's husband and a fellow real estate agent.
- Liv Hewson as Abby Hammond: Joel and Sheila's teenage daughter.
- Skyler Gisondo as Eric Bemis: The Hammonds' neighbor and Abby's friend, who is knowledgeable about zombies.
- Richard T. Jones as Rickey Pioreck: A police officer and friend of Joel.
- Natalie Morales as Anne Garcia: A sheriff's deputy who becomes suspicious of the Hammonds.
- Thomas Lennon as Principal Novak: Abby's high school principal.
- Mary Elizabeth Ellis as Lisa Palmer: Dan's widow.
- Ricardo Chavira as Dan Palmer: Eric's stepfather, who is a police officer.
- Grace Zabriskie as Mrs. Bakavic: Principal Novak's Serbian grandmother.
- Portia de Rossi as Dr. Cora Wolf: A scientist working on a cure for the zombie virus.
- Patton Oswalt as Dr. Hasmedi: A virologist consulted by Joel and Sheila.
- Nathan Fillion (seasons 1-2) and Alan Tudyk (season 3) as Gary West: A realtor and the Hammonds' co-worker.
- DeObia Oparei as Loki Hayes (season 1): A convicted felon who becomes a zombie.
- Jonathan Slavin as Ron: An asylum inmate who learns about Sheila's secret.
Reception
Santa Clarita Diet received generally positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has an approval rating of 78% based on 73 reviews, with an average rating of 7.20/10. The second season has an approval rating of 89% based on 19 reviews, with an average rating of 7.85/10. The third season has an approval rating of 100% based on 18 reviews, with an average rating of 7.78/10.
Critics praised the show's dark humor, the performances of Barrymore and Olyphant, and its unique take on the zombie genre. Some criticism was directed at the show's gore and its occasionally uneven writing.
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Cancellation
Despite its positive reception, Netflix canceled Santa Clarita Diet after three seasons. The cancellation was met with disappointment from fans and critics alike.
Themes and Analysis
Santa Clarita Diet explores themes of marriage, family, identity, and mortality through a comedic and macabre lens. The show uses the zombie premise to examine the challenges and absurdities of suburban life. Sheila's transformation into a zombie can be seen as a metaphor for personal growth and empowerment, as she becomes more assertive and embraces her desires. However, the show also cautions against the dangers of narcissism and unchecked impulses.
The series also satirizes societal norms and expectations, particularly in relation to marriage and parenthood. The Hammonds' unconventional approach to dealing with Sheila's condition highlights the absurdity of trying to maintain a perfect facade in the face of extraordinary circumstances.
Controversy
In February 2017, advertising for the show sparked criticism in Germany, where Netflix promoted the show with posters depicting a human finger sliced up like a currywurst, a popular German fast food dish. After receiving more than 50 complaints that the advertising was glorifying violence and inducing fear, especially in children, the German Advertising Council forwarded the complaints to the company.