Connect with us

News

TADFF Review: ‘You Might Be the Killer’ Finds Killer Comedy in the Shape of a Slasher

Published

on

You Might Be the Killer Brett Simmons Fran Kranz

You Might Be the Killer is a deeply satisfying meta-horror comedy love letter to the slasher subgenre.

The film was inspired by a brilliant, spot-on twitter thread between writers Chuck Wendig and Sam Sykes (click here to read it in full) that quickly went viral. In the thread, Sam reaches out to Chuck to seek advice when his new position as a summer camp counselor puts him in a bit of an odd spot. There’s a serial killer on the loose, and counselors are dropping like hacked-and-slashed flies. Through their conversation, Chuck guides Sam to the unsettling realization that he might actually be the one responsible.

via TADFF

Director Brett Simmons (Husk, Animal) – who also wrote the script with Covis Berzoyne and Thomas Vitale – succeeds in creating a film with his own voice and energy, while honoring the spirit of the source material. The script maintains Sykes and Wendig’s chemistry and comedic voices while fleshing out an 80-tweet long conversation into 90 minutes of film.

Some of the dialogue comes directly from the thread, but it never comes off as disingenuous thanks to pitch-perfect performances from Fran Kranz (The Cabin in the Woods) and Alyson Hannigan (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

It’s not hard to understand the moral complexities of the position that both Sam and Chuck find themselves in. Sam is struggling to find some kind of win-win resolution as Chuck balances feelings of concern and – due to her vast knowledge of and passion for the subject – reluctant enthusiasm. Which, honestly, kind of makes sense. As a horror fan, if you got a call asking for advice on a stereotypical subgenre situation, wouldn’t you feel just a little bit excited?

You would. Don’t lie.

via TADFF

If you’re at all familiar with Kran and Hannigan’s prior work, you’ll know that they’re both gifted actors with strong emotional range and natural comedic timing. It’s incredible that they were never acting in the same room together – they didn’t even read lines off-camera – because the flow and chemistry of their conversation is absolutely seamless.

The casting of Hannigan as Chuck is inspired. She shows a natural understanding of the emotional content of the script and walks that fine line with such charm and confidence that you one hundred percent would want to call her for advice on literally any topic. She’s the perfect straight man, and we feel safe with her there as a voice of reason. And Hannigan is so comfortable sliding into research mode that you half expect to see the rest of Buffy’s Scooby Gang poring over ancient tomes in the background.

via TADFF

Although You Might Be the Killer embraces the meta-horror comedy subgenre, it doesn’t entirely dismiss the ethics of the slasher situation. The stakes are still very high, and Kranz’s performance as Sam leans in to that moral crisis.

Kranz is able to channel a manic energy that – with just subtle changes in performance – can be hilarious and slapstick one moment, and frantic and distressed the next. He is so earnestly likable that it’s easy to connect with him and root for his character. Kranz carries the viewer through a range of emotional levels that give depth and emphasis to the outrageous slasher setting.

via TADFF

You Might Be the Killer flips the script on classic horror tropes while paying homage in a truly loving way. Simmons shows his passion for the genre with the inclusion of visual references, dialogue, and set/prop designs that act as a clear nod to horror favorites and genre stereotypes.

These details are part of what makes You Might Be the Killer such a deliciously fun film for any horror fan. But, as much as we love our slashers, there can be some problematic elements.

The final girl character is traditionally a young, sexually unavailable, morally superior survivor, and she is rarely a woman of color. In You Might Be the Killer, one particular conversation in the third act slyly addresses this stereotype with a subtle insinuation that’s threaded through the dialogue.

via IMDb

You Might Be the Killer climbs inside the slasher subgenre to explore its tropes from a different perspective. It’s a cheeky and super meta experience that may be lost on anyone without at least a passing familiarity of the horror genre. That said, the clichés are so broad that they’re hard to miss.

The film really finds strength with the right viewing experience. I had the opportunity to see it on a big screen as part of the Toronto After Dark Film Festival, and it’s certainly the type of movie that is best seen with a group of excited genre fans.

You Might Be the Killer is an effective, satisfying meta-horror comedy in the vein of The Cabin in the Woods, but on a more intimate scale that will feel deeply personal for any 80s slasher fan. Brett Simmons graciously shares his love for the horror genre and – in the process – shows that he is a name to watch for.

 

For more on You Might Be the Killer, click here to read my interview with Brett Simmons and Fran Kranz! You can check out the trailer and poster below.

via TADFF

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Movies

‘The Strangers’ Invaded Coachella in Instagramable PR Stunt

Published

on

Renny Harlin’s reboot of The Strangers isn’t coming out until May 17, but those murderous home invaders are making a pit stop at Coachella first.

In the latest Instagramable PR stunt, the studio behind the film decided to have the trio of masked intruders crash Coachella, a music festival that takes place for two weekends in Southern California.

The Strangers

This type of publicity began when Paramount did the same thing with their horror movie Smile in 2022. Their version had seemingly ordinary people in populated places look directly into a camera with an evil grin.

The Strangers

Harlin’s reboot is actually a trilogy with a more expansive world than that of the original.

“When setting out to remake The Strangers, we felt there was a bigger story to be told, which could be as powerful, chilling, and terrifying as the original and could really expand that world,” said producer Courtney Solomon. “Shooting this story as a trilogy allows us to create a hyperreal and terrifying character study. We’re fortunate to be joining forces with Madelaine Petsch, an amazing talent whose character is the driving force of this story.”

The Strangers

The movie follows a young couple (Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez) who “after their car breaks down in an eerie small town, are forced to spend the night in a remote cabin. Panic ensues as they are terrorized by three masked strangers who strike with no mercy and seemingly no motive in The Strangers: Chapter 1 the chilling first entry of this upcoming horror feature film series.”

The Strangers

The Strangers: Chapter 1 opens in theaters on May 17.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Continue Reading

Movies

‘Alien’ Returning to Theaters For a Limited Time

Published

on

It’s been 45 years since Ridley Scott’s Alien hit theaters and in celebration of that milestone, it is headed back to the big screen for a limited time. And what better day to do that than Alien Day on April 26?

It also works as a primer for the upcoming Fede Alvarez sequel Alien: Romulus opening on August 16. A special feature in which both Alvarez and Scott discuss the original sci-fi classic will be shown as a part of your theater admission. Take a look at the preview of that conversation below.

Fede Alvarez and Ridley Scott

Back in 1979, the original trailer for Alien was kind of terrifying. Imagine sitting in front of a CRT TV (Cathode Ray Tube) at night and suddenly Jerry Goldsmith’s haunting score begins to play as a giant chicken egg starts to crack with beams of light bursting through the shell and the word “Alien” slowly forms in slanted all caps across the screen. To a twelve-year-old, it was a scary pre-bedtime experience, especially Goldsmith’s screaming electronic musical flourishes playing over scenes of the actual movie. Let the “Is it horror or sci-fi?” debate begin.

Alien became a pop culture phenomenon, complete with kid’s toys, a graphic novel, and an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. It also inspired dioramas in wax museums and even a frightening setpiece at Walt Disney World in the now-defunct Great Movie Ride attraction.

Great Movie Ride

The film stars Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, and John Hurt. It tells the tale of a futuristic crew of blue-collar workers suddenly awakened out of stasis to investigate an undecipherable distress signal coming from a nearby moon. They investigate the source of the signal and discover it’s a warning and not a cry for help. Unbeknownst to the crew, they have brought a giant space creature back on board which they find out in one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history.

It is said that Alvarez’s sequel will pay homage to the original film’s storytelling and set design.

Alien Romulus
Alien (1979)

The Alien theatrical re-release will take place on April 26. Pre-order your tickets and find out where Alien will screen at a theater near you.

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Continue Reading

News

Home Depot’s 12-Foot Skeleton Returns with a New Friend, Plus New Life-Size Prop from Spirit Halloween

Published

on

Halloween is the greatest holiday of them all. However, every great holiday needs amazing props to go with it. Luckily for you, there are two new amazing props that have been released, which are sure to impress your neighbors and frighten any neighborhood children who are unfortunate enough to wander past your yard.

The first entry is the return of the Home Depot 12-foot skeleton prop. Home Depot has outdone themselves in the past. But this year the company is bringing bigger and better things to their Halloween prop lineup.

Home Depot Skeleton Prop

This year, the company unveiled its new and improved Skelly. But what is a giant skeleton without a loyal friend? Home Depot has also announced that they will release a five-foot tall skeleton dog prop to eternally keep Skelly company as he haunts your yard this spooky season.

This bony pooch will be five feet tall and seven feet long. The prop will also feature a posable mouth and LCD eyes with eight variable settings. Lance Allen, Home Depot’s merchant of decorative Holliday gear, had the following to say about this year’s lineup.

“This year we increased our realism within the animatronics category, created some impressive, licensed characters and even brought back some fan favorites. Overall, we are most proud of the quality and value we are able to bring to our customers with these pieces so they can continue to grow their collections.”

Home Depot Prop

But what if giant skeletons just aren’t your thing? Well, Spirit Halloween has you covered with their giant life size Terror Dog replica. This massive prop has been ripped out of your nightmares to appear frighteningly on your lawn.

This prop weighs in at almost fifty pounds and features glowing red eyes that are sure to keep your yard safe from any toilet paper throwing hooligans. This iconic Ghostbusters nightmare is a must have for any fan of 80s horror. Or, anyone who loves all things spooky.

Terror Dog Prop
Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'

Continue Reading