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 to 1987, determined to stop the killer before he can start.
With unapologetic and frequent references to “Back to the Future,” sprinkled with bits of “Happy Death Day,” “Totally Killer” ushers audiences into the almost always interesting plot contrivance of time travel. In this case, the infamous Sweet Sixteen Killer goes on a triple homicide rampage in 1987, an event that lives on in a small town’s memory for 35 years – particularly with the help of a local podcaster, Chris Dubasage (Jonathan Potts). The story begins with the gruesome murders of three high school girls (Liana Liberato, Stephi Chin-Salvo, and Anna Diaz) five days apart around Halloween. The girls are part of the Molly Ringwald club, whose fourth member, Pam (Olivia Holt), is inexplicably spared. The Sweet Sixteen Killer – so named because he stabs each victim sixteen times – wears a plastic mask boasting a toothy smile and perfectly combed blonde hair. The mask has become something of a town icon, readily recognizable to residents and tourists alike.
The narrative opens on Halloween, October 2023, with a grownup Pam (Julie Bowen) playing the part of a protective mother who hasn’t forgotten the horrors of the past. Her daughter Jamie, played by an engaging Kiernan Shipka, has been armed with self-defense training since she was seven, along with mace, a rape alarm, and a lucky crystal. Chiming in with Pam is Jamie’s father, Blake (Lochlyn Munro). Pam wants Jamie to help hand out Halloween candy, but Jamie has plans with friends. As a compromise, Pam tells Jamie that her dad will drop her off and wait to drive her home to ensure she is okay.
Jamie meets up with her best friend Amelia (Kelcey Mawema) at a rundown amusement park – one of the many intentional references to “Back to the Future.” In an ancient photo booth, Amelia has been working on a time machine based on previous work done by her mother (Kimberly Huie).
Meanwhile, at home, Jamie’s mother, Pam, is gleefully dispensing candy when a trick-or-treater wearing the Sweet Sixteen Killer mask knocks on the door. At first, Pam thinks it’s a gag until the man tries to force his way into her home. Responding with a surprising array of self-defense moves and weapons – a remnant from the death of her friends years ago – Pam puts up a good fight. She nonetheless falls prey to the killer, which, of course, devastates Jamie and her father.
Jamie realizes that if the time machine actually works, she can go back to 1987, foil the murders, and change the future to one where her mother lives. Against all odds – after nearly being stabbed by the killer – Jamie emerges from the photo booth into a surreal, vibrantly colored amusement park bustling with patrons. Finding herself dumbstruck at the transformed surroundings – aided in no small measure by some fine cinematography – the adventure begins.
Needless to say – and as is right and proper – Jamie’s attempts to change the future of 2023 from her vantage point in 1987 does not go as planned. She meets the teenage version of Amelia’s mother, Lauren (Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson), and much the way Marty McFly persuades the younger Dr. Emmett Brown in 1955 that he is from the future, Jamie also makes a good case for herself. After Jamie convinces Lauren, they set out to stop the killer. The first order of affairs is to meet up with the Molly Ringwalds. In one of many surprises, Jamie learns that her mother has quite a potty mouth and is in one of those mean girls’ cliques. Jamie marvels at the teenage versions of her parents, the high school principal and staff, and local law enforcement, whom she had only previously encountered as adults. It’s just about enough to make her head explode.
“Totally Killer” makes good use of the cultural changes that have occurred since 1987. The blatant sexism that current society no longer tolerates provides more than a few laughs. In addition, Jamie learns that the general willingness to disclose personal information and levels of security were not as rigorous as they are now, again to humorous effect. In addition, when she offers the police a DNA sample of the killer’s blood on gauze in a plastic bag, the sheriff (Randall Park) has no idea what she’s talking about. He casually tosses evidence on the ground, contaminating the chain of custody, and proceeds about his business.
To say much more would spoil the fun. Directed by Nahnatchka Khan, the somewhat complicated plot is conveyed expertly to the screen through flashbacks to help audiences keep track of the long list of adult characters and their teen counterparts. “Totally Killer” successfully blends the slasher/thriller with the comic genre into a crowd-pleasing mix of laughs and suspense.
Available on Prime Video Friday, October 6th
