Written by: Ryan Dailey
Totally Killer, streaming on Amazon, is on a level of brilliance not seen since Happy Death Day. It is the perfect blend of Scream and Back to the Future. Nahnatchka Khan gives the horror nation a film packed with great one liners and time travel theories that actually make sense and even challenges the rules set forth by some of the most prominent time travel movies. Kiernan Shipka (Jamie) manages to deliver witty and engaging dialog as well as the heart wrenching material in a way that pulls the viewer in.
Writers David Matalon & Sasha Perl-Raver are able to write a script that is smart, funny and flows well, which is no easy feat, given the films’ tonal shifts.
Jaime is getting ready to go out with her friends on Halloween night in the present day. Jaime’s mother (Julie Bowen) is concerned for her daughter’s well being, as 35 years ago, she was the sole survivor from her group of friends being attacked by the Sweet Sixteen Killer. This is the catalyst for Jaime’s best friend creating the time machine and stopping the killer in 1987 to save her mother and her friends becomes Jaime’s mission when she is accidentally transported there.
What follows is pretty predictable to fans of 80’s time travel movies, but Totally Killer adds something different to the formula. Throughout the film, when Jaimie either purposefully or by accident changes something in 1987, the viewer gets a flash into present day, where the ramifications of her actions are shown in “real time.”
The film hides a more serious message under the jokes and colorful 80’s vibe. Underneath, Totally Killer is a story about how small towns are notorious for holding its denizens hostage, every character in the film have lived there their whole lives.
If those in the horror nation enjoyed Happy Death Day and 80’s films were 17 year olds can make functioning time machines, this film is for you. In a day and age of media walking on eggshells and pandering to the few, this film is not afraid to be an 80’s time travel movie that pokes light fun at modern woke culture.