Totally Killer Review: A Fun But Shallow Ride
Part Back to the Future, part Scream, Totally Killer blends horror and sci-fi in a fun, fast-paced package that, while not destined to become a classic like the movies that inspire it, is nonetheless an entertaining hour and forty-five minutes.
The film — written by David Matalon, Sasha Perl-Raver, and Jen D’Angelo and directed by Nahnatchka Khan — follows Jamie. Jamie is a teen with a personal connection to an infamous string of murders in the 1980s.
After the killer resurfaces in 2023, Jamie eventually finds herself transported to 1987, days before the first murder, giving her a chance to change history.
There is a lot to like about Totally Killer. Perhaps most notable is how well it balances comedy and horror. That’s not an easy task. There are a few self-aware horror comedies out there (which are different from horror films with some comedic aspects).
It’s not uncommon for these movies to lean into the comedy more and not be very scary or to lurch from tone to tone so drastically that they lose cohesiveness.
Totally Killer does have a few awkward moments like that. It would also be misleading to say it’s a deeply scary movie. Still, by and large, the comedy and horror elements complement each other well. It pokes fun at some horror tropes while using others to create genuinely tense sequences that will make viewers squirm.
Another thing Totally Killer has going for it is a great performance from its lead, Kiernan Shipka.
To be sure, most of the cast is quite strong. Besides Shipka, Julie Bowen does a lot with surprisingly limited screen time. Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson, Olivia Holt, and Kelcey Mawema also deliver strong performances.
However, it is Shipka who pulls all the different pieces together and expertly moves between the tonal switches throughout the film. Much of what works about the film rests on Shipka’s skill and her ability to navigate those changes seamlessly.
Similarly, Shipka’s delivery elevates the humor and is what makes the film so entertaining. The numerous jokes that basically come down to “the 80s, am I right?” would have gotten old quickly in less skilled hands. But Shipka’s comic timing is perfect and keeps thing from feeling one-note.
For all that Totally Killer has going for it, it isn’t all it could be. One relatively minor quibble is that none of the “shocking twists” feel all that shocking. I say this is a minor quibble because, these days, it’s pretty hard to surprise savvy viewers.
Especially for a film like Totally Killer that is paying homage to such familiar genres. If it’s done well, figuring out the big reveal before it happens doesn’t necessarily take away from the experience of watching the movie.
For the most part, that is the case for Totally Killer. While it’s always fun when a mystery or a horror story can keep you guessing, I am only mildly disappointed that Totally Killer didn’t.
The real disappointment in watching Totally Killer is that it doesn’t deliver on the character arcs and relationships it sets up early in the story.
The main problem is that it doesn’t earn audience investment in any of the relationships or show character confronting their flaws to make their growth by the end of the film believable.
There are a few scenes that are emotionally impactful — primarily because of the nuance the actors bring to them — but it’s not enough to give the overall characters’ journeys any weight.
This is particularly disappointing because there is a lot of potential for what those arcs and relationships could be. Totally Killer has the potential to be more than just a fun diversion. It could have been excellent if there were more substance and focus on character.
Even though I wanted more from Totally Killer, there is still more good than bad. It is thoroughly entertaining and a fine way to decompress at home after a stressful day.
What did you think of Totally Killer? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Totally Killer is currently streaming on Prime Video.
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Sarah Fields
Sarah is an obsessive geek who likes to get into the weeds and over think things. She is passionate about Sci-Fi and comics and is a giant classic film nerd. Sarah cares deeply about media representation and the power of telling diverse stories. When she's not writing or watching her favorite shows she spends her days working in the non-profit world trying to make life a little better for those that need some extra help.