YOU MIGHT BE THE KILLER (2018)

 

(Director: Brett Simmons. Screenplay by Thomas V. Pitale, Brett Simmons, and Covis Berzyone, based on Sam Sykes and Chuck Wendig’s idea.)

Review

Unable to reach the local police, a panicked, killer-stalked camp counselor, Sam (Fran Kranz, THE CABIN IN THE WOODS, 2011) in the middle of nowhere calls his slasher flick-savvy best friend while she’s working at a multimedia-video store. Sam and his friend, Chuck (Alyson Hannigan, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, 1997-2003), try to figure out who the killer is, their motive(s), and how Sam can survive his terrible night even as he remembers disturbing details leading up to his current situation.

Said to be inspired by a conversation between Sam Sykes and author Chuck Wendig (who served as producers for the film), this TV-MA, dark-humored, and occasionally bloody (e.g., a quick shot of a slit throat) movie features deftly executed twist and turns, knowing-wink references to horror genre flicks, effective suspense and laugh-out-loud silliness in equal measure, and top-notch acting not only from its leads but its supporting cast.

Among its cast: Keith David (THE THING, 1982) as the voice of Sheriff James; Bryan Price (THE MONKEY’S PAW, 2013); Patrick R. Walker (SCREAM: THE TV SERIES, 2016); and Carol Jean Wells (JUG FACE, 2013).

Fans of slasher flicks, bloody comedy, a certain 1983 Stephen King novel, a certain 1988 William Lustig film, lively horror scores (this one created by Andrew Morgan Smith, JEEPER CREEPERS III, 2017), and other terror works might enjoy this fun, well-written and well-shot horror comedy that’s a high-mark work within its hybrid genre.