Review: Happy Death Day

(imdb.com)

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

(imdb.com)

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.

(imdb.com)

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 

(imdb.com)

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.

(imdb.com)

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 

(imdb.com)

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: Horror's Creepy Kids (Part I of II)

Creepy kids are a staple of the horror genre. No matter what form they take, horror movies seem to always include at least one terrifyingly creepy child. Whether they're on the side of our protagonists like in Signs or are deeply villainous like most of the ones who made this list, children in horror feel necessary. Prior to completing this list I was trying to figure out how to limit myself from going off the rails. The final product includes a lot of ties and pairs to complement my indecision. I also removed children who were creepy but definitely not in opposition to the heroes of our stories. So, children - like the pair in Signs or Aidan from The Ring, are notably absent.



(pinterest.com)

10. Jason (Friday the 13th)

To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of the original Friday the 13th. It encompasses everything I love in a slasher film - its simplicity, setting and twist ending all should have left me satisfied, but the scares really could have been stronger. In fact, the only scare that really shook me was the one that made this list. Child-Jason, while only occupying a short scene, is perhaps one of the scariest moments in classic horror. It makes me fear for murky water, in the same way Jaws did and definitely deserves a spot on the scariest horror children.

(aminoapps.com)

9. Damien (The Omen)

The original Omen is a classic and for good reason. Despite rarely saying anything, the central character to the film is creepy beyond belief. Damien does little but accomplishes a lot and the deeply rooted anger in his eye's makes for the most unsettling movie. Damien's ability to strike fear in those around him is pretty terrific for the viewer, who inadvertently is also scared in the process. The Omen isn't the greatest movie out there (sorry, not sorry) but Damien is definitely one of the greatest kids in horror.

(theodysseyonline.com)

8. The Non-Children, Brahms (The Boy), Annabelle (The Conjuring) & Esther (Orphan)

Gosh, what have I done here? The answer is I combined all three of these because technically, they're not children - supernatural or otherwise, but their depiction is that of a child and the scares they provide are definitely noteworthy. Say what you want about The Boy but Brahms is absolutely terrifying. That dark, empty stare paired with surprisingly creepy rules to follow, all make for a character that sent chills down my spine. Then, there's Annabelle. Yeah, she's just a doll but she is a doll of a little girl and a truly iconic face of modern horror. The doll of Annabelle definitely helped push The Conjuring into the limelight and like Brahms, the shallow stares and the not-so-vacant atmosphere set by this character is bone tingling awesomeness. Lastly, Esther. Is there really anything more to say? Just watch any scene of Orphan and you'll instantly be afraid of her icy glare and ability to fake a smile. She could do equally well on some trashy reality show as she does killing those around her.

(tumblr.com)

7. The Children (Sinister)

While not a tie, this ranking gives way to a group of children that all really deserve a spot. Captured by Baghuul, the group of kids in Sinister is so disturbingly dark that it's hard not to love them. These kids get taken and then proceed to trick and murder their families, all while videotaping it. The true star of Sinister may be the ancient demon at the center, but it's his minions who truly shine as the horrifyingly youthful tyrants. The children of Sinister are all unique in their own way, but equally scary all the same.

(rebloggy.com)

6. The Masked Ones, Tomas (The Orphanage), Sam (Trick r' Treat) & Unnamed Girl (The Houses October Built)

How dare I combine three movies into one ranking, right? Well I did because the unsettling feeling created by each is very similar. There's something about a moving, expressionless face that is deeply troubling and for these movies, this aspect is all the more advantageous. In The Orphanage, the creepy dead child Tomas wears the most pieced together mask as he causes mischief. Then in the cult classic Trick r' Treat, another patchy mask is exhibited to truly unsettle audiences. Then there's my biased favorite: the unnamed girl in The Houses October Built. Not only does she get added bonus for having loose strands of hair attached to her mask, she also gets points for being truly terrifying. When she gets on the RV my heart was thumping out of my chest.