For campy ridiculousness and queer joy, it doesn’t get much better than preposterously-named Zsazsa Zaturnnah vs the Amazonistas of Planet X. Based on the Filipino sensation, this gem was a blast from start to finish, supercharged with a specific energy that I’ve only tasted from seasons of Drag Race Philippines. These characters, the super horny world presented within, and the bubbly, super colorful animation makes Zsazsa Zaturnnah an outrageously fun riot.
When hairstylist Ada (Phi Palmos) gets a hold of a mysterious rock that falls from a comet, his life gets completely upended. When the rock is ingested, Ada transforms into a full-blown woman, complete with a vagina and boobs. The superhero has super-strength and a heart of gold, and may just have a fighting chance for straight-presenting hunky muscled-up love interest, Dodong (Siglo Pecho). Ada’s lack of confidence makes him a perfect fit for the superhero. Ada’s demeanor could be attributed to her extremely homophobic and abusive father, at least in part. Ada’s connections in life are fleeting, but the one constant remains bestie Didi (Io Balanon). DiDi encourages Ada to embrace the nature of her powers, both for the greater good, and for personal gain.
Queen Femina (Joelle Yuvienco) of another planet and her artificially-created henchpeople take notice of the comet’s trajectory, and come to Earth in pursuit of it. They make their mission to take down all men, completely eradicating them from existence in honor of the female populous. This means Ada is a surprisingly funny anomaly, transforming into a woman, but in reality being a gay man. At its heart, Zsazsa Zaturnnah is about self-acceptance. Ada’s journey isn’t really about becoming a superhero, but about becoming comfortable in her own skin. The film tackles internalized shame and abusive relationships with surprising sincerity beneath the outrageous comedy. An emotional confrontation involving Ada’s late father stands out as one of the film’s strongest moments, reminding you that underneath the absurdity is a very human story.
Didi remains a strong friend throughout the story, and the small town they live in together bubbles with personality. Love interest Dodong always has a reason to lose his clothing, including when zombies attack, and ravenously rip off all his clothes. Ada’s relationship with Dodong develops naturally throughout the story. What begins as an innocent crush slowly becomes something much more meaningful, culminating in an ending that’s genuinely heartfelt amidst the campy chaos. There are so many hilarious visual gags, and the script is potent and ridiculous. Zsazsa Zaturnnah remains one of the better animated films I’ve seen all year.
The style of animation is wholly unique as well. It jumps from anime to hyper realism seamlessly, at times feeling a little Ren & Stimpy, and at others feeling specifically Asian in flavor. The creativity that went into the form is present in every single gorgeous frame. Flaws and all, this indie animation technique really sets the movie apart, not to mention the actual subject of the film perfectly accentuates the strangeness of its animated frames. The preposterous hijinks that go along with it are just a cherry on top.
Whether giant frogs destroying the town, zombie attacks, absurd superhero transformations, or over-the-top dialogue, the film constantly leans into its own silliness. The comedy lands because everyone commits completely to the bit. Zsazsa Zaturnnah feels like a live-action comic book brought to life. The whole thing has a handmade charm, and never fears embracing complete ridiculousness. Fans of campy cinema, drag aesthetics, and comic-book fantasy should have an absolute blast with this wild genre combo.
Zsazsa Zaturnnah vs. the Amazonistas of Planet X screened at 2026’s Fantasia International Film Festival.
