Review: Happy Death Day

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Slashers have, quite literally, been done to death. With the 90s overflowing with near identical takes on the subgenre and movies like Scream and more recently, The Final Girls, it seems there really was nowhere else for them to go. So, they've mostly disappeared - much to the disappointment of fans everywhere. But this year's Happy Death Day could very well lead to a resurgence of simple, yet effective humanoid killer film.

Following a sorority girl who is given the unique and outlandish opportunity to uncover her own killer by living the same day over and over, Happy Death Day is the Groundhog Day of slasher films. As the film progresses and the amount of suspects dwindles, her physical being takes a toll each relived day, eventually leading her to the hospital in a weakened state. Happy Death Day stars the particularly fantastic Jessica Rothe (La La Land), as Tree Gelbman. Other supporting cast includes the lovably plain Israel Broussard (The Bling Ring) as Tree's one-night-stand-turned-confidant, Carter, Ruby Modine (Shameless), as Tree's roommate, and Rachel Matthews as the Chanel Oberlin-esque sorority queen, Danielle.


Happy Death Day is first and foremost, pure entertainment. Thrilling, brashly funny and brimming with strong performances from young stars, the flaws of the film are easily overlooked. Rothe's ability to dart cold, dead stares at anyone she dislikes, Broussard's endearing nice guy and even the comic relief provided by Matthews, all make for a film that's delightfully sinister. It's horror comedy done right. There's small inflections of camp, some exciting fight scenes and a plot line that provides enough meat to stay interesting.


The single flaw in this film is in its logical. While mostly sound, some parts feel tossed in and hastily thrown together. For instance, the accrual of injuries, as suggested by internal wounds found on a life's trip to the hospital, never explain how she survived being burned alive in one evening. Additionally, the blind acceptance of the multiple chances to save herself is a huge expectation by the filmmakers, with little legitimacy. But, if other film's like the aforementioned Groundhog Day can get away with this logic, why shouldn't Happy Death Day?


Happy Death Day has a mass-appeal quality about it. Never venturing too far into the horror genre, its gimmicky base and near-perfect execution should give any viewer something to enjoy. The few plot holes are easily overcome, and Rothe deserves a lot of recognition as the film's compelling star. Happy Death Day feels fresh. Its presentation is a rare and special package that should leave audiences wanting more from the entire team. 7 out of 10.

Best in Show: Summer Horror (Pt. II of II)

5. Sleepaway Camp

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Sleepaway Camp is a weird, weird movie. It's a film that flashes with 80s flair; now practically laughable in effort and tact. Matching these factors with a twist ending that would now be considered off-putting; Sleepaway Camp has become the sort of cult flick destined for summer sleepovers and movie nights projected onto blankets under the stars. It's got the summer camp for children, featuring all of the fun summer activities your childhood could think of and by the film's end, you're sure to be drowned in the dated nostalgia this movie pours out.

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4. Jaws/The Shallows

Jaws is the movie that scared a generation out of the water. Jaws is perhaps one of the most iconic summer films ever. Given its ocean beach setting and plethora of prop pool toys, this movie provided audiences with a reason to be even more afraid of the ocean than they were. While Jaws is likely more deserving than fifth on this list, its cooler, New England-based location takes away from the truly summer mood capitalized on by later films like The Shallows. Otherwise, Jaws is still a worthwhile dive into the warmer months, even if those months seem more like April than July.

Speaking of The Shallows, this movie is undoubtedly deserving of a place on this list. Capturing beach warmth with all of the gleaming shine of summer, The Shallows exceeded expectations when it was released last summer. Despite similarities to the classic Jaws, The Shallows is able to stand on its on two fins by providing enough excitement and popcorn-munching fun to make it the summery movie audiences need to put them in the mood.

3. A Perfect Getaway 

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A Perfect Getaway seamlessly captured the essence of tropical warmth. Even at its wettest, the Hawaiian-based thrilled oozed with the feeling of summer adventure. A Perfect Getaway is the perfect getaway for those looking to escape the back-and-forth weather of the Northeast. It's got everything from sunshine and ocean kayaking to hazy jungle hikes, all culminated into a visually stunning and ultimately thrilling escape.

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2. Friday The 13th

Maybe even more iconic than Jaws, the pinnacle slasher, Friday the 13th, is easily one of the most recognizable summer films ever. It's the very basis of summer camp massacres and deserves to be recognized as such. This film and its hefty franchise are what many horror fans first think of when they think of summer, and for good reason. Between the warm weather clothing worn by the movie's victims to the old, rickety cabins on the camp's grounds, the setting of Friday the 13th is unforgettable. Camp Crystal Lake is near-summer perfection.

1. Cabin in the Woods 

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While a lot of people would argue that Friday the 13th is most deserving on a list of summer mood horror films, there is no denying the weight carried by Cabin in the Woods. Simultaneously scary, as it is funny, equally dark as it is light, this on-the-nose dissection of horror is so reminiscent of summer that I can feel sunburn growing now. Whereas movies like Evil Dead feature wet, gray forests, the woods surrounding this film are lush and warm, spotlighted by the moon and done so with such intent (by both the filmmakers and the scientists within the movie), that it's atmosphere is unparalleled. It features all of the warm summer feelings each of the list's other movies offer including lakes, summer fun and poorly dressed teens, but inevitably tosses it all in the air in exchange for a visually crisp and obviously well-A/Ced laboratory. The fact of the matter is, Cabin in the Woods is summer.

 

Best in Show: Summer Horror (Pt. I of II)

I don't know where you are but where I am, a heat wave has begun looming over my city. To honor these back sweat-inducing temperatures, this week's list is all about putting audiences in the summer mood. You know the feeling; warm and lazy, ready to lounge in a lake or by a pool and most certainly not prepared to be attacked by a killer or alien creatures. Certain horror movies definitely carry with it, a summery identity that can't be shaken. This list, will *spoiler* feature classic movies at summer camps and some modern, out-there choices (see number 10), so without further ado, here are the top 10 movies to put you in a summer mood:

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10. Thirst

Thirst is a completely selfish pick to kick off this list. In no way is the film an amazing movie. With flaws flying out of every aspect, Thirst is filled to the brim with mediocrity even if it does have its worthwhile aspects (as seen in my recent Overlook article). But, what Thirst did succeed in doing was putting me in a summer mood. Maybe it's the retro troubled-teens-at-camp storyline or the hot desert plateaus, or even the campy low-brow special effects, but Thirst made me feel like barbequing. It's got none of the glitz and glam of better horror movies and all of the overused horror tropes, but through-and-through it was effective in keeping me entertained and preparing me for a heat wave.

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9. The Final Girls

Like other summer camp films that inevitably made this list (come back tomorrow), The Final Girls features everything that makes the summer feel like summer. Shorts, lakes and the slasher tropes of ole, But, what makes The Final Girls worthy of being included on this list is its conveyance of warmth and its on-the-nose comedy that propels it. Every scene of this film is tinged with softer warm coloring and that, paired with some truly funny moments, make it feel like a summer welcoming parade.

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8. See No Evil

See No Evil makes this list for nearly identical reasons to Thirst. Entirely selfish in its choosing, See No Evil is reminiscent of those summer mornings where friends and I would wake up from nights of campfires and movie binges and watch whatever half-baked horror film was on Chiller Network. See No Evil is a relatively simplistic slasher and does offer some scarier parts as well as some pretty ridiculous scenarios. It never attempts to exceed expectations and is a truly easy watch. Scenes in the beginning where Kane's character visits a suburban neighborhood additionally apply the summery feeling this movie left me. So, say what you want, but anyone who had Chiller and watched it frequently on their off months, would recognize this film as deserving.

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7. Zombeavers

Zombeavers leans heavily on camp comedy more than horror, but it's placement on this list is nonetheless necessary. Like many summer horror films, Zombeavers takes place at a cabin on a lake filled with young adults unaware as to what's about to unravel before their eyes. It's the type of movie that is acknowledging bad, but done so with such intention that it's funny. It's a warm and light-hearted romp that'll be sure to win over genre-blend haters and horror fans alike, and similar to The Final Girls, its ability to capitalize on a feeling of warm is commendable.

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6. Wrong Turn

Maybe I'm simply in the mood to rewatch Wrong Turn, but the love for it on this blog recently is definitely becoming too blatant. There is just something so lovable about this horror movie, especially given that it was one of my first forays into the genre, Wrong Turn is like so many other horror films on this list; a group of friends go on vacation and meet trouble. Simple enough? It is, and the resulting film is a pretty easy watch. It's the type of movie that blatantly rips off other cannibal films but backs it with enough entertainment to be watchable. Wrong Turn gets a lot of flak, but for all its ridiculousness, it is pretty fun and sometimes even, scary.