Review: Totally Killer
Yeah, so uh, the first thing you wanna do if you see the killer is run.
The year is 2023 and it appears we are now living in a world where the time-travel sub-genre of horror films is a thing. Following on from The Final Girls, Happy Death Day and Happy Death Day 2 U is Totally Killer, a new Prime Video release starring Kiernan Shipka.
Shipka plays Jamie, whose overbearing mother; Pam (Julie Bowen) wants her to stay in for Halloween and hand out sweets to the children, instead of going to a heavy metal concert with her best friend. But the real reason Pam is so protective of her daughter is because 35 years ago, her friends were murdered by the “Sweet Sixteen Killer.” Fearful of another attack, Pam and Jamie have taken martial arts classes, but Pam’s eagerness to see her daughter protected at all costs has caused a divide between them, leading Jamie to rebel. After a fateful incident, Jamie is transported back in time to 1987 (seriously, just roll with it) where she and her teenage mother must team up to stop the killings before they happen.
Totally Killer is a little bit of everything for everyone. It mixes science-fiction with horror, and a dash of humour as the very modern Jamie attempts to come to terms with the social norms and lax laws that ruled the 80s. There’s a mix of Back to the Future and Halloween, and a heavy amount of Scream that Totally Killer takes its influences from. Rather obviously it’s nowhere near as good as any of those genre classics, but it is fun in its own right and makes for a good Friday night in front of the TV.
There are some contrivances, and not every gag hits - which is the biggest shame because the 80s has so much to offer that is ripe for being made fun of. But it is sincerely acted by everyone, with Shipka adding a lot of warmth to her role, especially in her scenes with her teenage mother (Olivia Holt). At one hour 46 minutes, it’s a brisk watch and doesn’t require the use of many brain cells. The sci-fi element may not be for everyone, but it adds another layer of fun to the film if you’re willing to go with it, and even if not all the elements gel, it is still an entertaining mix that provides some gory thrills with a touch of heart at the end.
Totally Killer is available on Prime Video from 6 October.