Review: What makes 'Happy Death Day' a good Halloween treat

And guess what? It works!

Despite unfavorable comments from those who saw the trailer and the simplistic title, this dark-comedy movie from Blumhouse Production—the brainchild behind the "Paranormal Activity" franchise­—is solidly entertaining from beginning to end. 

During the private preview held last Friday the 13th at Columbia Pictures’ Manila headquarters, we were able to unravel all the good reasons why this movie is perfect for a Halloween date night. 

Meet the fat face masked killer

One thing you need to know before heading to the cinemas: "Happy Death Day" is paraded with‘"hoe-tastic’" sorority mean girls, jocks, and that annoying serial killer who obviously has one goal in life—kill Tree Gelbman (played by Jessica Rothe from "La La Land"). 

The whole “serial killing” theme is both overrated and outrageous. Seriously, a hot sorority girl who gets butchered over and over is not the most original thing in Hollywood. Nonetheless, the comedic elements of this movie perfectly blended together, making it a fresh entry into the horror-thriller genre. With Halloween fast-approaching, we predict that "Happy Death Day’s" very own villain will become iconic. That massive grinning, gaping-eyed, fat-cheeked, one-toothed baby mask is definitely going to give Pennywise a run for his money. If you are going to make this your Halloween costume, do not forget the blood-stained butcher’s knife to complete the whole look. 

The storyline is quite simple, really: on the day of her birthday, Tree wakes up with a terrible hangover and a hideous smudged eyeliner, and found herself in the dorm room of a socially awkward but undeniably attractive college guy named Carter (Israel Broussard from "The Bling Ring").

Apparently, Tree is an expert when it comes to finding herself inside a room of some random guy she met in a frat party. Frantically navigating her way out of the dorm room, Tree went through some major events that day: getting stopped by a nerd girl, a lawn sprinkler had a couple running away, a frat boy getting knocked out, bumping into an old flame, having the usual morning chat with the hilariously nasty sorority president (Rachel Mathews), a surprise birthday cupcake from her roommate (Ruby Modine), changing up and heading to her class, and finally going to another frat party that night before getting murdered. Everything was in a very strange loop—with some days varying in certain ways. There were times when she would meet up with the professor she was secretly hooking up with; sometimes she would confess everything to Carter and devising a master plan to outsmart and uncover who her killer is. But the day always ends the same: She gets brutally murdered by the college mascot—a weird hooded figure wearing a one-toothed baby-faced mask.

Who is the killer?

The thought of a “mean bitch sorority girl” getting slaughtered in various ways can be strangely satisfying but that is not the main focus. The story gets twisted in so many levels with Tree trying to figure out who is behind the killing and why she is going through an obnoxious and repetitive death. 

While the mystery thickens as the movie picks up, one could agree that "Happy Death Day" is a far cry from being dragging; the unexpected turn of events have kept us glued to the screen all throughout.

In one of Tree’s elaborate schemes to expose the perpetrator, she was led to believe that everyone close to her had personal vendetta against her. Thanks to Tree’s history as a mean girl, there is an Agatha Christie-esque list of candidates (leading her to an all out witch hunt).

Rothe's 'Queen B' portrayal is gold

Prior to this, Jessica had appeared in several movies such as "Lily & Kat," "The Preppie Connection," and the Emmy award-winning musical "La La Land," where she played as Emma Stone’s roommate.

At the start, Rothe’s character was typecast as a sorority girl who does not care about anyone but herself. But reliving the same day over and over has taught her character to value life and the people she cares the most.

Also, Rothe’s character feels original despite being labeled as a typical “mean girl." Her antics are genuinely hilarious, especially the creative and unexpected ways of dying where she really outshone all the other characters. At the end of the movie, watchers can feel more connection with Tree. In fact, we are just like her: mean and straightforward but sometimes, courageous and willing to sacrifice her life for someone that matters to her. 

The unconventional romance

The first time Tree laid eyes on Carter was not the most romantic moment everyone had hoped for, but the on-screen chemistry between them is too real to ignore. Honestly, it is so unusual for a suspense-thriller film to be fickle-minded—switching from horror to romance, but this is exactly what watchers can hold on to it until the end.

In addition, the romantic flare between Rothe and Broussard gives the movie a very relatable form of sweetness to suit a wide audience. The "jump-out-of-your-seat-moments" would not really rival films like "Insidious" or "Annabelle," but the movie has its own flavor and intensity to qualify in the horror genre.

As a "same-day-over" themed-movie, it prompts us to answer an important question: What if you had to relive your own murder, over and over?

For Tree, it is about realizing what it truly means to be alive and not to take for granted the people she cares for. If there is one thing that can be learned from Tree, that s that you do crazy and sometimes stupid things in the name of love.

"Happy Death Day" offers a poignant and often hilarious moments that will truly leave you at the edge of your seat. It opens in major cinemas on October 18.