The movie’s only real flaw is the inconsistent logic surrounding what is remembered or carried over from one time loop to the next.
After a night of partying, Tree Gelbman (Jessica Rothe) wakes up hungover on her birthday in Carter Davis’ (Israel Broussard) dorm room. Clearly embarrassed and agitated, she takes the walk of shame back to her sorority house hoping to put the previous night behind her. How could she possibly have ended up sleeping with a nerd like Carter? As the day goes on, we’re introduced to her sorority sisters, including her roommate, Lori (Ruby Modine,) and sorority president, Danielle (Rachel Matthews.)
Tree has a contentious relationship with Lori, who tries to make peace with the offering of a single birthday cupcake. Tree, being something of a bitch, blows out the candle and throws it in the trash before rushing off to class. We also learn that Tree is the kind of girl who would have a relationship with one of her professors. On her way to a campus party, Tree is murdered by someone in a babyface mask and coveralls. Immediately afterward, she wakes up in Carter’s dorm room again. You see, Happy Death Day is a comedic horror take on the Groundhog Day concept. Tree is forced to relive the day of her death until she can discover the identity of her killer.
If you’ve seen that 1993 film, where Bill Murray plays a weatherman trapped in a time loop, you’ll be able to predict at least some of what happens in Happy Death Day. Thankfully, the film, which was written by Scott Lobdell and directed by Christopher Landon, puts a unique spin on the formula that keeps it somewhat fresh. While marketed as a horror movie, Happy Death Day actually plays out more like a mystery movie with slasher-lite elements. Refreshingly, the usual horror tropes don’t apply. As you might guess, Carter plays a role in Tree’s attempt to determine her murderer. Because he’s the lone nice guy in the movie, he also becomes the love interest.
Jessica Rothe excels at playing the bratty Tree, who’s eventual transformation into a less-irritating version of herself, is actually believable. There is chemistry between her character and that of Broussard’s Carter, so their relationship works well. Had Tree been played by a lesser actress, or one with less charisma than Rothe, this might have been a much harder movie to sit-through.
The movie’s only real flaw is the somewhat inconsistent logic surrounding what is remembered or carried over from one time loop to the next. But, if you can set those potential plot holes aside, Happy Death Day is a PG-13 horror/comedy that does little to offend fans of either genre. If you’re looking for some mindless entertainment for a Halloween movie party and want to appeal to a wider audience, this one is worth a look.
3.5 out of 5.0 stars
