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Happy Death Day is one of the best blends of comedy and horror to hit the silver screen

ArtsTop Arts

This film refuses to be defined by any single genre and is sure to surprise you

Peak Web
Peak Web
2 min.
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(Image courtesy of Universal Pictures)

By: Jennifer Russell

If you’re looking for a movie that combines comedy and horror, Happy Death Day is perfect for you. I went into Happy Death Day without knowing anything about the movie except that it is a time loop movie, and it ended up being one of the best films I’ve seen this year! (Far better than Blade Runner 2049, which dragged on for longer than necessary).

     As mentioned, Happy Death Day is a time loop movie and the main character, Tree Gelbman, tries time and time again to prevent her own murder. Part way through the movie she discovers there is a limit on how many times the day will repeat, thus increasing the sense of urgency. Her murder becomes more brutal each time the day resets, and the impact from the murders carry over to the next repeated day.

     Although this is a slasher movie, it (intentionally) acts like more of a comedy than horror film. The only scary moments are the murders; the rest of the plot, and characters aim to make this movie a comedy. Tree starts as a typical self-obsessed sorority girl. Her day constantly resets with her waking up after what she believes is a one-night stand with a nerdy college boy, Carter Davis. Tree originally responds with disgust and wants nothing to do with this boy, who she sees as beneath her. But as her day continuously resets, she teams up with Carter in her attempts to defeat her killer. In order to keep this review spoiler-free, I’ll just say that Tree’s confidence increases as she realizes she can do basically anything because nobody will remember the last version of the day, and she takes full advantage of the opportunity!

     This movie vaguely resembles Scream Queens in that it is a sorority-slasher movie that combines comedy and horror. Beyond the two main genres, which are aimed to entertain, this movie also presents a powerful message about family, stability, and girl power. Although primarily comedic, the movie becomes sentimental as Tree handles some family issues she had ignored. If you’re not into the sentiments, don’t worry — the movie quickly returns to comedy and even references Groundhog Day, a clear inspiration for the film (proving the writer, Scott Lobdell, doesn’t miss any opportunities for jokes).

All I can say is go watch this movie — it will be an hour and a half well spent.

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Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

Contact us:
[email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society 1965-2024