“OMG mom, you need to stop, okay? This has nothing to do with me. You know, I kinda sorta wish you guys would get over it.”

Story: In 1987, three girls were murdered by the “Sweet Sixteen Killer” – and in present day, high school junior Jamie Hughes is over it already. But then the killer reappears, and murders another of the ol’ class of ’87. When the killer tries to murder Jamie at the school’s science fair? She hides in her friend’s time machine…which picks this time to work. So, what up, 1987?

Scares: Surprisingly effective suspense for a horror comedy that’s heavy on the comedy.
Splat Factor: The killer stabs his victims 16 times. So there’s that.

Subgenre: Cozy Retro Horror Comedies
Year Released: 2023
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: Original, but there are lots of recognizable tropes you’ll enjoy.

Trick or Treat?: I’m a sucker for 80s throwback horror movies. I mean, that’s when I graduated high school, graduated college, got to see all those great classic slashers in theaters…so when Killer doled out it’s teaser awhile back? I was hoping for a good time. I was not disappointed. This new Blumhouse joint is a mashup of Back to the Future, Hot Tub Time Machine, and 80s slashers like Prom Night and Cutting Class. Nahnatchka Khan brings her comedy chops from projects like Fresh Off the Boat and Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23, blending it with an 80s aesthetic and just enough blood to keep things, well, slashy. Plus, this film stars one of my favorite young performers, Kiernan Shipka, as Final Girl/Fix-It Girl Jamie. Did y’all mean to make something that included almost everything I adore? Because you did, movie. YOU DID.

There’s lots of fish out of water. As a matter of fact, there’s a bit too much “Gen-Z are snowflakes” stuff that could have used a lighter hand. (“Unwanted touch!” “That’s so problematic.“) A teen who understands that she just time traveled 35 years backward would understand that things were different then, and while they might whisper that to themselves, saying it with their whole chest? C’mon. My nieces, nephew, and their friends aren’t that fucking stupid. These characters shouldn’t be either. I was mortified for them. So the film gets a bump down for that. But otherwise, Killer takes its characters, storyline, and plot, puts ’em into a time-machine trope blender. What comes out is lots of delicious new ideas that feel familiar enough to sink into comfortably, but are funky enough to keep your attention, making Killer one killer film for a night of fun.

And don’t forget to stay for the end credits scene; there’s a “where are they now, NOW?” bit before the titles really run, and it’s a hoot.

Oh! If you’re into 80s music? Check out this totally cool playlist from the creators of the film!

Score: 3.5 out of 5 pumpkins.