A slasher horror comedy with a sci-fi twist, Prime Video totally killer It may have been a tough multi-genre challenge for director Naanachika Khan.
But there’s a queer filmmaker and TV mogul behind it. young rock and just off the boathas come with a strategy for both laughter and horror. totally killertells the story of a 17-year-old Gen Zer who travels back in time to 1987 and faces off against the infamous “Sweet Sixteen Killer.”
“Part of my plan was to invite people into this world in any way possible,” Kahn says. In the movie, mad menKiernan Shipka plays Jamie, a teenager who is itching to go out with friends on Halloween night, against the wishes of his anxious mother, Pam (Julie Bowen). Pam was her daughter’s age when the Sweet Sixteen Killer terrorized the town.
“There’s a little bit of that mother-daughter tension that’s typical of the teenage years,” Khan says. “So when the first battle sequence happens, that’s what really starts our story and surprises us,” says Kahn. “You know, ‘Oh my god, we’re trying to do that here. That’s not part of the comedy. We’re not checking swings with this slasher killer thing. ”And it was also very important to make it satisfying on both levels. ”
Of course, there’s also the time travel element. An accident with his friend’s time machine sends Jamie back to his 80’s high school with his mother. His teenage years are played by Olivia Holt. The two work together to stop the Sweet Sixteen Killer murder before it happens.
The screenplay by David Matalon, Sasha Pearl-Laver, and Jen D’Angelo incorporates elements of ’80s teen movies. Fast times at Ridgemont High School Gaze gag. And Jamie’s usual shorthand for explaining his old-fashioned predicament to 80s infidels is simply to ask, “Have you seen it?” back to the future — almost everyone has seen it.
As Kahn recalls, the filmmakers “always asked themselves, “If any of us went back to 1987, we wouldn’t have that blackboard moment. I’m not a scientist.” Time I can’t explain in detail how travel happens, but I can say, “Have you seen it?” back to the future? ”
The film focuses on pop culture as a touchstone throughout. “I really just enjoyed all the ’80s teenager tropes that you used to see in John Hughes movies and movies.” heathers And that whole world,” Khan said, adding: totally killer It not only references the culture of the ’80s, but also makes an incisive comment on what has changed.
“It’s funny because when you look back through the lens of 2023 and Jamie was able to do that with this movie, you realize, oh, a lot of that stuff isn’t going to be played anymore. [or] That’s not true at all, in that you can’t actually say that or act like that. For me, that was a fun element to bring to this piece. ”
totally killer is available to stream on Prime Video. Visit www.amazon.com.