Arrow within the Head opinions the Blumhouse time journey slasher horror comedy Completely Killer, starring Kiernan Shipka and Olivia Holt
PLOT: In 1987, a slasher generally known as the Candy Sixteen Killer claimed the lives of three 16-year-old women. When the killer returns in modern-day, a younger lady figures out a solution to journey again to ‘87… the place she hopes to cease the killing earlier than it ever started.
REVIEW: Working with director Christopher Landon, Blumhouse Productions has introduced us a couple of actually enjoyable slasher-with-a-twist horror comedies lately: the time loop slasher Blissful Demise Day (and its sequel) and the physique swap slasher Freaky. Landon wasn’t concerned with their new launch Completely Killer, however the film actually appears like a companion piece to these Landon tasks – and if you happen to loved Blissful Demise Day and Freaky, chances are high that you just’ll like Completely Killer as nicely.
The excessive idea gimmick on this one (which was directed by Nahnatchka Khan from a screenplay by David Matalon, Sasha Perl-Raver, and Jen D’Angelo) is time journey. The story begins on Halloween night time 2023 within the small city of Vernon, which continues to be haunted by the reminiscence of a string of unsolved murders that occurred in October of 1987. Three highschool women have been killed by a masked slasher generally known as the Candy Sixteen Killer. All the victims have been 16 years outdated – the primary was even killed throughout her sixteenth birthday celebration – and every of them have been stabbed sixteen instances. Whereas locals like Chris Dubasage (Jonathan Potts of Jason X) money in in town’s notoriety – Chris himself hosts a podcast in regards to the case and provides excursions of the homicide websites – others, like Pam Hughes (Julie Bowen) have been traumatized and dwell in concern that the killer goes to return. Pam’s moody teenage daughter Jamie (Kiernan Shipka) needs her mother would simply recover from what occurred again within the ‘80s. However when the killer returns, Jamie discovers that her mother was proper to be frightened.
Since we’re in a small city in 2023, we’re left to marvel for a short time how time journey goes to be labored into the story. The primary 13 minutes have a simple slasher vibe, with touches of humor and a dose of tragedy. Then Jamie goes to go to her pal Amelia (Kelcey Mawema) on the faculty science honest, the place Amelia appears to be tinkering with a photograph sales space… however Jamie drops the road, “When are you gonna inform individuals you’re constructing a time machine?” And that’s when issues get actually nuts, in a really entertaining method.
Whereas being attacked by the killer, Jamie prompts the time machine and is shipped to October 27, 1987. The day of the primary homicide. So, to vary the occasions of the long run, she units out to attempt to cease the killing earlier than it even begins. In fact, since this can be a slasher film and subsequently must have one thing of a physique rely, she’s not totally profitable. Nevertheless it’s enjoyable to observe her strive (and infrequently fail). She makes an attempt to make buddies with the victims – Liana Liberato as Tiffany Clark, Stephie Chin-Salvo as Marisa Track, and Anna Diaz as Heather Hernandez – and finds that the 16-year-old model of her mother Pam (Olivia Holt) is a part of the victims’ pal group. Actually, the 4 women are generally known as The Mollys as a result of each received their vogue sense from a distinct Molly Ringwald character.
Additionally on this pal group are Jeremy Monn-Djasgnar as annoying jock Randy (who goes on to turn out to be a coach), Ella Choi as oddball future sheriff Kara Lim (daughter of ‘87 sheriff Dennis Lim, performed by Randall Park), and Charlie Gillespie as Blake Hughes – who will finally turn out to be Jamie’s father (he’s performed in 2023 by Lochlyn Munro of Freddy vs. Jason). On the surface are the teenager Chris Dubasage (Nicholas Lloyd), a loner known as Lurch (Zach Gibson), the nerdy Doug Summers (Nathaniel Appiah), who will go on to be the college principal, and Amelia’s equally science-minded mom Lauren (Troy L. Johnson).
As a contemporary child, Jamie doesn’t slot in very nicely with the ‘87 children, which brings a superb quantity of humor into the movie. Additionally amusing is the truth that the ‘87 teenagers conduct themselves like they’re proper out of a typical ‘80s slasher. Whereas Jamie her does her finest to guard them and get them to make smart selections, it’s like they’re decided to do every part incorrect and put themselves in peril. Like once they resolve to get away from the hazards of being in Vernon… by going to an remoted cabin within the woods.
The character interactions are plenty of enjoyable to observe, and when the Candy Sixteen Killer strikes this slasher proves to be surprisingly intense and badass. They might be on the middle of a horror comedy, however they’re not messing round. There’s a palpable hazard when the killer is confronting our teenage heroes.
‘80s slashers rank extremely amongst my favourite sorts of flicks to observe, and this time journey slasher that goes again to the ‘80s was an entertaining and intelligent solution to revisit the glory days of slashers with a contemporary strategy. I had a good time watching Completely Killer, and I believe a lot of my fellow slasher followers will as nicely. This one lives as much as its title.
Completely Killer might be accessible to observe on Amazon‘s Prime Video streaming service as of October 6th.
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