Totally Killer (2023) spoiler free review
Murder is so 1987. Totally Killer is a 2023 American black comedy slasher film directed by Nahnatchka Khan, written by David Matalon, Sasha Perl-Raver, and Jen D’Angelo, and produced by Blumhouse Television and Divide/Conquer. It premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 28, 2023, and was released on Amazon Prime Video on October 6, 2023.
The story follows Jamie who, after her mother’s friends are murdered by the Sweet 16 Killer on Halloween, travels back in time to 1987, where she pairs up with her mother to stop the young would-be-killer and return to her timeline before she is trapped in the past forever.
Film synopsis
The cast includes Kiernan Shipka as Jamie Hughes / Colette, Olivia Holt as teen Pam Miller, Julie Bowen as adult Pam Hughes (née Miller), Charlie Gillespie as teen Blake Hughes, Lochlyn Munro as adult Blake Hughes, Troy L. Johnson as a teen Lauren Creston, Kimberly Huie as adult Lauren Creston, Liana Liberato as Tiffany Clark, Kelcey Mawema as Amelia Creston, Stephi Chin-Salvo as Marisa Song, Anna Diaz as Heather Hernandez, Ella Choi as teen Kara Lim, Patti Kim as adult Kara Lim, Jeremy Monn-Djasgnar as teen Randy Finkle, Tommy Europe as adult Randy Finkle, Nathaniel Appiah as teen Doug Summers, Conrad Coates as adult Doug Summers, Nicholas Lloyd as teen Chris Dubusage, Jonathan Potts as adult Chris Dubusage, Randall Park as Sheriff Dennis Lim, Zach Gibson as teen Lurch, Brendan O’Brien as adult Lurch, and Andy Thompson as Mr. Parr.
My opinion
From left to right: Stephi Chin-Salvo as Marisa Song, Olivia Holt as teen Pam Miller, Liana Liberato as Tiffany Clark, Anna Diaz as Heather Hernandez, and Kiernan Shipka as Jamie Hughes / Colette. ©2023. Totally Killer. Produced by Blumhouse. All Rights Reserved.
On October of 1987 three girls are stabbed 16 times to death on the night of their 16th birthday by the Sweet Sixteen killer. 35 years later the killer is back to take his last victim, the remaining survivor of the group of friends; Pam Hughes (née Miller). Now is up to her teenage daughter Jaime, that accidentally traveled back to 1987, to stop the murders and save her mom from dying in the future.
Working as a mix of two classic films: Halloween (1978) and Back to the Future (1985), Totally Killer explores comedy and horror without reaching its full potential. The performances of the cast, led by Kiernan Shipka, save the film from sinking into a script that lacks the comedic charm of similar horror films like Freaky (2020) and Happy Death Day (2017). Even so, it’s impressive how the outcome and time travel make sense when it’s a topic that’s easy to mess up.
The costume design, makeup and hairstyles adhere to the fashion of the 80s, enhancing the setting of the time, contrasting with the presence and image of Jamie, a modern teenager. Julie Bowen is in charge of the opening scene providing an intense and bloody scene showing off her skills in the horror genre. The weak link in this film is the villain, which is an essential part of the slasher genre. In this one the reveal lacks a shock factor being a character, who was not only predictable, but the safe choice instead of taking risks and creating a nice plot twist. Totally Killer is a modern slasher to watch when you want to have a good time, and even with it flaws it is still enjoyable and entertaining.
Editor’s note: This piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist.