REVIEW: Totally Killers Is A Great Introduction To The Horror Comedy Genre
Just in time for Halloween, Amazon Prime is getting into the horror game with the upcoming flick, Totally Killer. From the mind of director, Nahnatchka Khan, and writers David Matalon, Sasha Perl-Raver, and Jen D’Angelo, this new horror comedy is an 80s nostalgia ride that is light on the horror and heavy on the laughs.
Totally Killer opens as many of our favorite slasher films do, with a death 35 years in the making. High Schooler Jamie Hughes (Kiernan Shipka) just wants to spend Halloween night at a concert with her friend. However, her mom, Pam (Julie Bowen) is against the idea. You see, Hughes’ little town of Vernon was struck by a serial killer, known as the Sweet 16 Killer, during Halloween thirty-five years ago. Like most horror classics, the killer has never been caught. Fearing for the safety of her daughter, Pam is adamant that Jamie stays home, but Jamie is determined to go. With rules set in place, Pam eventually allows for Jaimie to head off to the concert, but things go south for Pam when the Sweet Sixteen Killer returns for revenge. The teenager, left grief-stricken from the events, tries to carry on by attending her school’s local science fair, held at an abandoned fairground. But soon the killer catches up with her, and is determined to add her to their growing death list. Fighting back, Jamie finds herself in her friend’s timesheet pro-type and thrust back to Halloween 1987. With a chance to save those victims of the Sweet 16 Killer in her hands, Jamie will stop at nothing to put an end to the killer’s spree before it even begins.
Hardcore fans of slasher horrors will be left disappointed with this film. There is absolutely nothing creative or unique about these killings. If anything, each one is a friendly reminder of the slasher films that have come before them, and some of the ridiculousness that came with viewing them. Which is why the film works better as a comedy. Khan, and the writing team, take the time traveling aspect and use it to their advantage to call out some of the absurd tropes that seemed to be a running theme in those early slasher films, including the let’s hide from a serial killer in an isolated cabin. And it is not just the tropes being called out, but the 80s’ culture itself. The team take the time to show how vastly different the 80s are to today’s generation through Jamie’s sarcastic humor.
Shipka’s deadpan humor makes her a great lead for this film. It would be interesting to see her in a few more films like this as she does such a great job in this one. Olivia Holt steps in as a young version of Pam, and plays the character in the most perfect way. A great balance of a catty brat to those around her, but well-meaning to those closest. She and Shipka are a joy to watch on screen together. Charlie Gillespie, Liana Liberato, Stephi Chin-Salvo, Anna Diaz, Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson, Jeremy Monn-Djasgnar, Ella Choi, and Nathaniel Appiah round out the 80s’ cast. Each one brings something fun to the table, but Liberato is completely underused.
Totally Killer might not check the list on every horror fans list, but it is an entertaining ride. The movie is also a good steppingstone for those wanting to try the slasher genre without completing jumping into the world of Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees, though the easter eggs are there for those looking to fill their slasher needs.
Grade: B-