Cast
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Kiernan Shipka
as Jamie Hughes
Olivia Holt
as Pam Miller (1987)
Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson
as Lauren Creston (1987)
Kelcey Mawema
as Amelia Creston
Jonathan Potts
as Chris Dubasage
Stephi Chin-Salvo
as Marisa Song (1987)
Anna Diaz
as Heather Hernandez (1987)
Liana Liberato
as Tiffany Clark (1987)
Charlie Gillespie
as Blake Hughes (1987)
Jeremy Monn-Djasgnar
as Randy Finkle (1987)
Ella Choi
as Kara Lim (1987)
Randall Park
as Dennis Lim (1987)
Nathaniel Appiah
as Doug Summers (1987)
Nicholas Lloyd
as Chris Dubasage (1987)
Zachary Gibson
as Damon "Lurch" (1987)
Crew
Director
- Nahnatchka Khan
Producer
- Jason Blum
- Greg Gilreath
- Adam Hendricks
- Nahnatchka Khan
Reviews
MovieGuys
Totally Killer, mixes a little 80's nostalgia, with a campy slasher flick.
Its not a bad formula and it mostly works, but only in a functional sense. That is, this film is competently done but the core cinematic elements that are supposed to help drive this film forward, are a little lacking in places.
The 80's nostalgia, one of the key ingredients, lacks flavour. That is to say, there is not a lot that speaks directly to the 1980's, save a dash of period specific music and a degree of political incorrectness, not seen in today's up tight society. I personally think they could have gone further and done a lot more, to really bring home that 80's atmosphere.
The slasher side of this flick, is actually handled a lot better and even manages to throw in a twist, I did not seeing coming. So well done there.
Acting is above average too and that also helps to elevate this flick a smidgen above its numerous slasher film peers.Sensibly too, whilst Totally Killer, can be graphic it dodges being gruesome, which is appropriate given its black comedy vibe.
In summary, inherently watchable if you like the lighter side of horror/slasher flicks but fails to conjure enough 80's nostalgia to really make it special.
Oct 12, 2023
Wuchak
**_Return of the ‘Sweet 16 Killer’ at a town in Washington_**
A 17 years-old teen in the Great Northwest (Kiernan Shipka) is intent on stopping a masked serial killer from 35 years earlier.
“Totally Killer” (2023) is a dynamic and amusing slasher mixed with a lot of 80s-isms. If I said more, it’d give away important plot details, which are better left discovered for yourself. Let’s just say it’s a meshing of 80’s slashers like “Sweet Sixteen” and “Halloween IV” with the fun tone of “Peggy Sue Got Married.” A plus is that it effectively adds human interest despite the campiness.
Kiernan works well as the attractive, sassy protagonist while Julie Bowen is on hand as her mother. Liana Liberato (Tiffany) and Olivia Holt (Pam) are also worth a mention.
The movie runs 1 hour, 46 minutes, was shot in Vancouver, British Columbia, including The Bridge Studios in linking Burnaby.
GRADE: B+
Oct 19, 2023
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Comedy/Science Fiction film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Totally Killer presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Nahnatchka Khan brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2023, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Totally Killer took approximately 23 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 105 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 155 minutes long.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The musical score contains over 66 unique compositions.
- The costume department created over 229 unique costume pieces for the production.
Historical Context
- In 2023, when this film is released:
- The COVID-19 pandemic transformed global health, economics, and social interaction.
- Streaming platforms had largely replaced traditional cinema and television models.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Totally Killer shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, which focuses more on action than character development, Totally Killer subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Camp Dread and Do You Like My Basement? explore similar territory, Totally Killer stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: September 28, 2023
- Runtime: 1h 45m
Where to Watch
