Totally Killer gets clever by mixing slasher horror and time travel. A horror comedy can be hard to nail, but Totally Killer, directed by Nahnatchka Khan from a screenplay by David Matalon, Sasha Perl-Raver, and Jen D’Angelo, is fun and engaging. While it’s trying to do too much in terms of its plot, and doesn’t fully live up to its potential in terms of its slasher moments, the film has a great cast, and there are enough heartfelt moments and intrigue to keep the momentum going.

Jamie Hughes (Kiernan Shipka) doesn’t have a great relationship with her mother, Pam (Julie Bowen), who she sees as overbearing. But Pam just wants her daughter to be safe after witnessing the murder of her three friends in 1987 by the Sweet 16 Killer, who was never caught. Now that Jamie herself is 16, Pam worries — and rightfully so, as she is murdered on Halloween by the killer, who has reappeared after 35 years. Jamie is heartbroken, but when she’s targeted by the Sweet 16 Killer, she ends up being transported to 1987 via her best friend’s (Kelcey Mawema) time machine. There, she must stop the killer to save her mom and get back in time, or risk being stuck in the past forever.

Totally Killer is clearly influenced by the 1980s, but unlike other films set in the decade, the horror film balances nostalgia with a few criticisms. The film juxtaposes Jamie’s Gen Z sensibilities with the 1987 teens’ behavior, and it creates a sense of balance that doesn’t allow for a rose-colored-only perspective. The film doesn’t take itself too seriously, but the story’s lightheartedness is grounded by Shipka’s balanced and heartfelt performance. She’s able to swing between her character’s frustration, fear, resolve, and the film’s comedic moments seamlessly. Shipka plays Jamie with determination, bringing a tremendous amount of heart to a role that could have been lesser in someone else’s hands.

The film’s references are great. Totally Killer is clearly influenced by Back to the Future and Scream, and though it’s not as strong as either movie on its own, it has a lot of fun with the sci-fi and slasher elements. There are some genuinely funny moments — an early scene featuring Jonathan Potts’ true crime podcasting character calling out someone’s comment because she thinks a serial killer would have at least killed six people instead of three is chuckle-worthy — and the supporting cast gels well with one another.

The mystery surrounding the killer’s identity loses some of its momentum after a while, if only because Totally Killer has a lot going on, and multiple characters to serve, but that doesn’t make it any less appealing. Khan’s film knows exactly what it’s trying to be and that allows it the space to play around a bit with its premise, delivering a kooky — if not necessarily spooky — and endearing final product. Will the film be memorable a week or two after you’ve seen it? Probably not, and that’s okay. It’s entertaining and charming the entire way through, and that’s enough to recommend it.

Totally Killer has its flaws, but it also has a distinct flair and charm. The film’s comedy is self-aware and witty, even if not all the comedic elements work, and there’s a love of the 80s that isn’t overshadowed by attempts to emulate it without question. It also keeps its time travel rules basic, so that we’re not sitting there trying to figure it all out. Bolstered by a great cast that really gets into their roles, Totally Killer is the perfect watch this Halloween season.

Totally Killer is now streaming on Prime Video. The film screened at 2023’s Fantastic Fest. It is 106 minutes long and rated R for bloody violence, language, sexual material, and teen drug/alcohol use.