Totally Killer

Totally Killer from the famed production house Blumhouse steps onto the cinematic stage with a devilish blend of time travel, humour, and horror, sending shivers down your spine while simultaneously drawing out bursts of laughter.

Comedy-horror is a genre that is often tricky to nail, but with a cast that includes Kiernan Shipka, Julie Bowen, and Olivia Holt, you know you're in for a treat!

Ever wondered if a movie can make you jump from your seat and laugh out loud at the same time?

Well, let's find out as we get into our movie review of Totally Killer.

What Is Totally Killer About?

It has been 35 years since the small town of Vernon was terrorised by the Sweet 16 Killer. Three teenage girls, Tiffany Clark, Marisa Song, and Heather Hernandez, were murdered. Each girl was brutally stabbed 16 times, marking their 16th birthdays with blood and tragedy.

Fast forward to today, Jamie Hughes (Kiernan Shipka), a regular teenager, is gearing up for a concert on Halloween night with her best friend, Amelia (Kelcey Mawema).

But they don't know that the Sweet 16 Killer is back and Jamie's mother Pam (Julie Bowen) is his target, having escaped death all those years ago.

After tragedy strikes, Jamie confronts the infamous sweet sixteen killer, only managing to escape by hiding in Amelia's science fair project – a time machine.

In one brilliant flash, Jamie finds herself in 1987, and back in the very week the murder spree began. With the weight of history on her shoulders, she realises that changing the past might be the key to saving her mother's life.

But 1987 is a very different time to grow up, and soon Jamie finds herself in an unfamiliar and outrageous culture face to face with teen Pam Miller, her teen mom.

So can she change the future to save her mother, or will the masked maniac find his fourth victim?

Totally Killer Official Trailer

Is Totally Killer Worth Watching?

Let's start with the positives. The premise is sound. Even the characters reference Back to the Future, so we know that this isn't a film that takes itself too seriously.

Secondly, the cast is excellent, and Shipka really embraces the whole time travel sci-fi thing with enthusiasm and fun.

Thirdly, the comedy is top-notch, with a tonne of social commentary on how much times have changed since 1987. Though, at times, the writers may have overdone it a little.

And overall, Totally Killer is a perfectly acceptable movie if you want a few mild scares and a few laughs.

The problem is that it doesn't break any new ground, goes on a bit too long, and is as daft as a brush. As a horror comedy, it is neither scary nor funny enough, and the ending is so rushed that no time is given to the repercussions of changing a timeline and the past forever.

It's a real shame because Blumhouse has produced some iconic movies such as the new Exorcist film, Get Out, Us, The Black Phone, and Run Sweetheart Run.

If you expect that level of quality from Totally Killer, you'll be disappointed. If your expectations are lower, then give it a go on Prime Video.

Totally Killer Movie Cast

Directed by Nahnatchka Khan and written by David Matalon, Sasha Perl-Raver, and Jen D'Angelo, Totally Killer has an excellent cast of…

Kiernan Shipka as Jamie Hughes

Julie Bowen as Pam Hughes (née Miller), Jamie's overprotective mom

• Olivia Holt as teen Pam Miller

Lochlyn Munro as adult Blake Hughes, Jamie's father

• Charlie Gillespie as teen Blake Hughes

Kelcey Mawema as Amelia Creston, Jamie's best friend

Kimberly Huie as adult Lauren Creston, Amelia's mother

• Troy L. Johnson as a teen Lauren Creston, who Jamie teams up with when she's stuck in 1987

Liana Liberato as Tiffany Clark

Stephi Chin-Salvo as Marisa Song

Anna Diaz as Heather Hernandez

Randall Park as Sheriff Dennis Lim

Andy Thompson as Mr. Parr