2023 Movie
Dir. Nahnatchka Khan · United States of America · English, Spanish
A campy serial killer homage to the classic films of the 80’s
In the vein of classic 80s films, Totally Killer is an homage to the genres that got its heyday in the decade. This film happens to be a serial killer mystery, a time-travel sci-fi adventure, and a teen comedy all at once. With mentions of Back to the Future and Molly Ringwald, the new addition to the Prime Video’s current horror roster makes a throwback to when these genres were at its peak. But these throwbacks aren’t just for style – like how true crime rehashes old cases for content, the small town of Vernon still rehashes the serial murders for entertainment, as if stuck and unable to move on from its glory days. Admittedly, this film does the same sin. Plenty of the twists and turns can feel predictable to those familiar with 80s movies. But the multi-genre mix still feels like a fun ride, even when it contradicts the point it’s making.
When the infamous "Sweet Sixteen Killer" returns 35 years after his first murder spree to claim another victim, 17-year-old Jamie accidentally travels back in time to 1987, determined to stop the killer before he can start.
"A fish-out-of-water comedy filled with amusing one-liners combined with time-travel sci-fi that actually kinda makes sense."
— Christy Lemire
"In trying to break the tension with humor, too many horror movies undercut their emotional stakes by instead being glib, a pitfall “Totally Killer” mostly manages to avoid."
— Michael Nordine
When the Sweet Sixteen Killer strikes again in 2023, Jamie accidentally travels back in time to 1987 on the day the killings start.
With 2020’s obsession with nostalgia, newer films set in older times like to reference titles from decades past in order to get its point across. That being said, sometimes these references feel entirely too self-conscious, and backtrack so much on what it’s trying to be, to ensure they don’t recreate certain outdated and problematic tropes. Totally Killer doesn’t do that. The film seems to be confident in its own comedy, lightly stepping on what’s past to move on to the current present. It makes the film decidedly anti-nostalgia, as the Gen Z protagonist goes back to a time where she knows better (in both upcoming murders and casual underhanded jokes).
Not quite totally killer, but definitely fun enough.
WGA
1 nom
Isabella Endrinal is a curator at A Good Movie to Watch. She's now free from the corporate night shift. Previous articles have been published in outlets such as NANG Magazine. She's currently catching up on some classic films… if she isn't coping with the fact that the Haikyu anime will end soon.
Wow ????