Disclaimer: This piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The Blogging Banshee fully supports those on strike and wrote this review in accordance with the SAG-AFTRA guidelines. You can learn more about the strike and how to show your support by clicking the link provided above.

Fantastic Fest 2023 closed out with the world premiere screening of Totally Killer. This clever slasher was written by David Matalon (The Clearing), Sasha Perl-Raver (Let’s Get Married), and Jen D’Angelo (Hocus Pocus 2) with Nahnatchka Khan (Always Be My Maybe) as the director. 35 years after three teenage girls were killed in the small town of Vernon by the “Sweet Sixteen Killer,” 17-year-old Jamie finds herself face-to-face with the masked murderer. When a homemade time machine accidentally sends her back to 1987, Jamie attempts to stop the murders from ever happening to save herself and the ones she loves.

Totally Killer begins in 2023. After some fun murder dioramas to provide exposition into the events of 1987, the film introduces Jamie. The audience gets to know the outspoken teen, along with her family and friends, before the Sweet Sixteen Killer makes his dramatic reappearance. There are important underlying messages being told for both the 2023 and 1987 timelines. When it comes to the 2023 side of things, the biggest takeaway is rooted in the obsession people have with serial killers. The opening monologue, which gives the audience all the background they need on the previous murders, comes from a true crime podcast. This particular podcast focuses on the murders in Vernon, even going so far as to host tours that visit the locations of the murders. Because the film takes place around Halloween, audiences also see murder buffs dawning the killer’s mask as a costume. It’s done so in a comedic way, but it’s apparent the filmmakers were showcasing how deranged it is to dress up as a real-life murderer for a Halloween costume, as well as how traumatizing it can be for the survivors to see the killer get that level of fanfare.

In a time where many modern takes on 1980’s horror are dripping with nostalgia, Totally Killer immediately stands out for taking a different approach. The film clearly pays homage to 80’s slasher films, but it also pokes quite a bit of fun at this era. By experiencing 1987 through the eyes of a modern teenager, the filmmakers emphasize how different times were then. While many of these are exaggerated for comedic effect, the rampant sexism, racism, homophobia, substance abuse, and lack of basic security that Jamie confronts in the 80’s leads to some laugh-out-loud moments. As with the 2023 timeline, the 1987 timeline has an important message layered beneath the humor and the murder. This time, that message is about the impact of bullying and irresponsible antics. When looking at both timelines as a whole, the filmmakers also incorporate a story of learning from your mistakes and becoming a better person, allowing some grace for teens to grow into compassionate, responsible adults.

The visuals in Totally Killer, when combined with the plot, give the audience a taste of understated camp. Audiences will immediately get a laugh from the killer’s mask. There is nothing scary about it at all with it’s blonde hair, vacant eyes, Ken-doll smile, and single dangling earring, but it is certainly humorous and adds to the cheesiness. Even the outfit looks like nothing more than normal clothes for the time. The hair, makeup, and wardrobe help transport the audience to 1987. As for the gore, there might not be any kills that are too graphic, but the filmmakers were sure to use a lot of blood to soak each crime scene.

The entire cast gives stellar performances, even when they lean into being a caricature of an 80’s teen. Kiernan Shipka (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, The Silence) stars as Jamie. While Jamie is the most serious character in Totally Killer, Shipka injects plenty of humor with how her character reacts to the very different norms of the past. Even with the humor, Jamie is the emotional core of the film, and Shipka excels at balancing the laughs with the heart. Two actors play Jamie’s mother, Pam. First is Julie Bowen (Happy Gilmore, Modern Family) as adult Pam. While Bowen is great at embodying a typical suburban mom, where she really shines is in her physical battle with the killer, especially because she is one of the few people in horror to hold a knife the right way for self-defense. Olivia Holt (Cloak & Dagger, Cruel Summer) then plays teenage Pam. At first, Holt portrays teen Pam as a typical popular mean girl from every other 80’s high school movie, eventually making way for a much more kind, sincere Pam to come through. Other great performances come from Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson (Let’s Scare Julie), Kelcey Mawema (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before), and Jonathan Potts (The Strain).

Totally Killer is the anti-nostalgia 80’s slasher film we’ve been waiting for, filled with laughs, murder, and time-traveling hijinks. The entire writing team put together a clever whodunit with biting satire that still honors this era that gave birth to modern slashers. Khan did a great job bringing this story to life, balancing the camp and humor with the more serious themes. Horror fans are sure to enjoy the entertaining performances, the witty sense of humor, and the outrageous serial killer. Be sure to catch Totally Killer, available to steam through Amazon Prime on October 6th.

OVERALL RATING: 8/10