*Warning: This article talks about a really sensitive topic.
I’ve had many students and friends ask me why I haven’t gotten into Hazbin Hotel (2024) since I love independently funded animation. I like the idea that Hazbin Hotel exists. Corporate animation is DESTROYING creativity in animation and doesn’t respect it as a medium. However, just because I like animation doesn’t mean I will like anything creative and well-animated on principle.
I’ve avoided Hazbin Hotel because I figured it would have themes and content that would either upset me or go against what I believe. But I’ve never purposefully spoken about or against it actively.
I changed my mind after watching several of the music videos from the show yesterday. I like how the musical numbers are a hodge podge of different cultures and are visually relevant. Many musical numbers are just there in films for profit without adding anything relevant to the story. That is definitely not the case for Hazbin Hotel.
Today, I want to talk about “Poison”, sung by the porn star character Angel Dust. If you don’t watch the visuals as you listen to the song, its meaning and implications will go completely unnoticed. Its lyrics when coupled with the visuals tell a chilling story of abuse and manipulation.
Take a look at this song’s lyrics. I highlighted the lines that stood out to me the most.
I’m not above a love to cash in
Another lover underneath those flashin’ lights
Another one of those ruthless nights
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I shoulda guessed that this would happen
I shoulda known it when I looked in your red, hot eyes
Spewin’ all your red, hot lies
Yeah, yeah, yeahWhat’s the worst part of this hell?
I can only blame myself‘Cause I know you’re poison
You’re feedin’ me poison
Addicted to this feelin’, I can’t help but swallow
Up your poison
I made my choice and
Every night I’m livin’ like there’s no tomorrowOh-oh, oh-oh
Any way you want me, baby
That’s the way you got me, I’ll be yours
My story’s gonna end with me dead from your poisonI got so good at bein’ untrue
I got so good at tellin’ you what you wanna hear
I disassociate, disappear
Yeah, yeah, yeahSo far beyond difficult to resist another gulp
Yeah, I know it’s poison
You’re feedin’ me poison
I’m chokin’ from the taste and I can’t help but swallow
Up your poison
I made my choice and
Every night I’m wasted like there’s no tomorrowOh-oh, oh-oh
Any way you want me, baby
That’s the way you got me, I’ll be yours
My story’s gonna end with me dead from your poisonPoison, I’m drownin’ in poison
I’m fillin’ up my glass but it’s always hollow
Full of poison, I’m sick of the poison
Wish I had something to live for tomorrow-Lyrics from Hazbin Hotel’s “Poison”
I looked at many of the comments under this video on YouTube and found it interesting how many viewers identified with this song on a personal level. It struck me how many people worldwide have firsthand experience of being used and exploited sexually.
This is a tale that has repeated itself all throughout history. What’s hard today is how so many “experts” try and portray pornography and sex work as a natural part of our society. Some even say we should respect men and women who choose to do sex work.
What is missed in this argument are the millions of individuals forced into that line of work or taught subliminally since childhood that it’s normal through social media and entertainment. Through our media, we more often than not propagate abuse.
People who work in that industry have multiple problems, many onlookers don’t consider:
- They have a twisted view of love, often associating lust for love in all their relationships.
- Many are hooked on addictive drugs to keep them compliant and obedient.
- Most of them were forced into this work as CHILDREN trafficked and handpicked to meet the demands of pedophiles.
- Their self-esteem is tied completely with their bodies, and how well they can attract others physically.
- There is no respect for human life; they live in a completely selfish world with hardly anyone to teach them otherwise.
- People view them as OBJECTS rather than human beings.
Now, while I watched “the video “Poison” I was surprised how it didn’t glorify this lifestyle, but rather showed it for how evil it was. But as I looked up the story and tried to see what happened to Angel Dust, nothing seemed to change for him.
That’s what got me thinking, Hazbin Hotel doesn’t offer HEALING from this trauma. True, Charlie wants to help these souls be “saved”, but that doesn’t fix the heart of any of the characters’ issues. Angel Dust’s forever stuck in a life that TAKES, EXPLOITS and HURTS him. The solution would be to get him out so he can heal from his trauma. But such healing isn’t possible where he’s at.
So why is there even Hell?
I couldn’t listen to this song on repeat, no matter how “catchy” it is. I’m incredibly empathetic and it is so hard for me to feel the hopelessness and fear emanating from this song. I only watched this video TWICE and I feel like a part of me got sucked out.
Perhaps this video hit especially hard because I’ve noticed certain social media platforms like OnlyFans becoming more popular and child exploitation normalized incrementally as people try and “accept everyone’s truth”. The real truth is that there are now many more people being sucked into this world, thinking it will give them better self-esteem, needed income, or validation. All it is doing is spawning generations of individuals addicted to lust.
I have strong opinions on this subject, but I don’t want to dwell on it any longer. If you enjoy this show, you go for it! However, I can’t help but feel lost in seeing these characters eternally punished and hurt in that world.
Thanks for reading! Hope you have a great day.
From the Perspective of an Old Soul 