Totally Killer – Film Review

The intriguing, suspenseful, and shockingly wholesome film Totally Killer, directed by Nahnatchka Khan and written by David Matalon, Sasha Perl-Raver, and Jen D’Angelo, seamlessly combines elements of the thriller, horror, and time-travel genres. The film, which is set in 1987, takes viewers on a time-traveling roller-coaster while telling a story of suspense, nostalgia, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and daughter.

At its core, Totally Killer revolves around a chilling premise: Jamie, played with exceptional depth by Kiernan Shipka, travels back in time to 1987 after seeing her mother’s friends die at the hands of the Sweet Sixteen Killer on Halloween night. She is forced to confront the murderer before he can start his reign of terror as a result of this risky endeavor, all the while trying to find her way back to her own timeline.

The film’s flawless casting is one of its best qualities. As Jamie, Kiernan Shipka gives a standout performance, expertly capturing the character’s resolve, vulnerability, and resiliency. Julie Bowen portrays Pam, Jamie’s mother as an adult, with a blend of strength and vulnerability, emotionally grounding the picture. Olivia Holt and Bowen’s seamless transformation into the teenage and adult Pam, respectively, gives their shared role an extra layer of authenticity and draws attention to the finer details of their performances.

Matalon, Perl-Raver, and D’Angelo’s screenplay deftly handles the complexities of time travel. The story is expertly woven, with minute details and plot turns that keep the audience on the edge of their seats. The dialogues add depth to the characters and their relationships because they are incisive, moving, and filled with unspoken tension.

Quite simply, it’s difficult to find another movie that explores the theme of time travel as masterfully as this one does. It shares a lot of similarities with Christopher Landon‘s Freaky, a film that is fundamentally a slasher but also brimming with positive energy. Yes, it’s very sporadic, but could there please be a crossover with Happy Death Day, this movie, and Freaky?

Nahnatchka Khan, the director, is deserving of praise for her brilliant conception and execution. She expertly captures the spirit of the 1980s, transporting the audience to a colorful era of neon signs, vintage clothing, and popular music. The film’s authenticity is a result of the meticulous attention to period-specific details, which evokes nostalgia in viewers who were alive at the time and offers younger audiences an engrossing window into the past.

Judd Overton‘s cinematography here is visually arresting. A visually stimulating experience is produced by the contrast between the neon-lit 1987 landscapes and the ominous, dimly lit scenes. The use of tense camera angles and creative visual effects enhances the overall impact of the film and heightens the audience’s sense of dread and anticipation.

Michael Andrews‘ original score also perfectly matches the action onscreen. The atmosphere is enhanced by the eerie melodies and heart-pounding beats, which cause the audience to feel a variety of emotions. The music acts as a potent narrative tool, elevating the film to new heights, from thrilling chase scenes to moving interior monologues.

In addition to being an exciting time-travel adventure, Totally Killer delves deeply into the themes of family, love, and the tenacity of the human spirit. The film investigates the lengths a mother and daughter would go to protect one another, even across the boundaries of time, through the touching relationship between Jamie and Pam. The narrative gains depth from this emotional core, which has a deep impact on viewers.

The film does have a few minor flaws, though. The pacing occasionally feels a little off, with fast-paced action scenes giving way to slower, more reflective ones. Even though these scenes aid in character development, the movie’s overall intensity might have been increased with better pacing.

Totally Killer is a testament to the strength of excellent storytelling and filmmaking. It is a standout entry in the time-travel subgenre thanks to its compelling story, excellent performances, meticulous attention to detail, wholesome undertones, and emotional resonance. The filmmakers’ talent and creativity are evident in the film’s capacity to take viewers to a different time period while solving an intriguing mystery. In addition, despite all the killings on screen, it’s an excellent film to watch if you want to be in a good mood. Make sure to check it out right away because it will undoubtedly be a sleeper hit.