‘Crazyhead’ Is the Short-Lived Netflix Horror Comedy That Deserves a Second Look

‘Crazyhead’ is a British comedy horror series that premiered on E4 in the United Kingdom on 19 October 2016 and reached Netflix internationally on 16 December 2016. It comes from Howard Overman, the BAFTA award-winning creator of ‘Misfits’, and it ran for one season of six episodes.

For anyone searching for a Netflix horror series that treats exorcisms with a sense of humour, ‘Crazyhead’ is an easy recommendation. It also works as a starting point for finding similar shows, since several outlets have placed it next to other supernatural comedies worth your time.

Why This Netflix Horror Series Still Holds Up

The premise is simple and well defined. Netflix describes Amy as a bowling alley worker and Raquel as a nonconformist, two women who fight demons while dealing with their own inner struggles in their early twenties. The show keeps both halves of that description in play from the first episode.

In the opening episode, the two women are prone to hallucinations and come to accept their roles as seers, people who can detect the hellish true forms of others. The cast is led by Cara Theobold, Susan Wokoma and Riann Steele.

Critics responded well when it first aired. Cultbox noted that the show earned strong reviews on E4 for blending humour and horror, with Cara Theobold receiving particular praise. More recently, a Yorkshire Evening Post roundup of Netflix horror titles lists it as 100% Fresh.

There is only one season to watch. Wokoma confirmed on 17 July 2017 that the series had been cancelled, and Cultbox pointed out that the six episodes of the first series are all viewers will get. That brevity makes it an easy weekend watch.

A Comedy Horror Series Built on Friendship

The creator has been clear about what drives the show. In a Channel 4 release, Overman said the story is as much about their friendship as the horror genre elements, according to Channel 4. He described two slightly lost young women who find each other.

Reviewers noticed the same thing. CV Independent argued that the show’s foundation is the bond between Amy and Raquel rather than action and wisecracks, describing it as believable and hysterical.

That chemistry is a recurring point of praise. A Voices of Winchester piece highlighted the rapport between Wokoma and Theobold, and said the writers balance comedy and drama on a fine line.

The series is not for every viewer. Common Sense Media rates it 16 and up, noting that the humour is often crude and that the demon transformations, exorcisms and bloody endings may undercut the laughs for some teens. The same review also flags the way the show mixes mental illness with demonic possession.

Demon Hunters and the Buffy Comparison

The most common comparison point is a famous one. CV Independent wrote that few tributes to ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ have matched that series’ blend of horror and humour as well as ‘Crazyhead’ does.

The tone is also reflected in how the service categorises it. Netflix tags the show as absurd, scary, witty and supernatural, with dark comedy and demons among its descriptors.

The Review Geek noted that there is very little filler across the six episodes, calling the series crude, energetic and frequently hilarious, with a distinctly British sense of humour alongside its demon hunting action.

The production itself was a joint effort. It was made by Urban Myth Films for Channel 4 in association with Netflix, with filming taking place in Bristol.

Shows Like ‘Crazyhead’ Worth Watching Next

Viewers who finish the season and want more have options. The Review Geek lists ‘Crazyhead’ in a set of alternatives for fans of ‘Widow’s Bay’, alongside ‘Resident Alien’ and ‘Ash vs Evil Dead’. It describes ‘Resident Alien’ as a mix of murder mystery and science fiction with broad comedy, and ‘Ash vs Evil Dead’ as loud, disgusting and unapologetic across three seasons.

Another close match is ‘Stan Against Evil’. It debuted on Halloween night in 2016 and starred John C. McGinley as a former sheriff in a New Hampshire town built on the site of a mass witch burning. He teams up with the current sheriff, played by Janet Varney, to fight ghosts, demons and witches. Sportskeeda also lists ‘Crazyhead’ first among shows for fans of ‘Hysteria!’, with ‘Stan Against Evil’ appearing further down the same list.

‘Stan Against Evil’ found its audience quietly. JoBlo reported that it was overshadowed by ‘Ash vs Evil Dead’ yet became one of IFC’s most popular new original series. It ultimately ran for three seasons and 24 episodes before IFC cancelled it.

Both shows prove that a supernatural comedy can thrive on character, even when the network does not bring it back. If you have watched ‘Crazyhead’ and ‘Stan Against Evil’ back to back, which duo would you trust more with a demon problem, Amy and Raquel or Stan and Evie?