HAPPY DEATH DAY (2017) Movie Reaction! | First Time Watch! | Jessica Rothe | Israel Broussard
YouTube · YKCP2iTTJQc
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖The 'Groundhog Day' premise made the slasher genre more palatable for a non-horror fan host.
- ❖Hosts initially suspected the professor or his wife as the killer, due to Tree's affair.
- ❖The idea of Tree's mom being connected to the time loop or killer was a host theory that didn't materialize.
- ❖Jessica Rothe's portrayal of Tree's character arc, from selfish to empathetic, was a standout feature.
- ❖The final reveal of Lori, the roommate, as the killer, using a poisoned cupcake, was deemed very clever.
Insights
1Effective Misdirection in Slasher Genre
The hosts noted how 'Happy Death Day' excelled at misdirection, presenting multiple plausible suspects (like the professor, his wife, or other disgruntled individuals) to divert attention from the actual killer. This kept them engaged in guessing throughout the film.
Michael and Ali spent significant time theorizing about various characters, including the professor and the stalker, before the reveal of Lori.
2Jessica Rothe's Versatile Performance
The hosts highly praised Jessica Rothe's ability to portray Tree's transformation throughout the film. She effectively transitioned from a 'cliche first death in a horror movie' character to a 'final girl' who learns and grows from her repeated experiences.
Ali stated, 'She was every iteration of a horror movie girl. First death to final girl. I think that's really really clever.'
3Thematic Depth of Grief and Personal Growth
A host theory suggested a deeper, supernatural connection between Tree's time loop and her unresolved grief over her mother's death. While this wasn't the film's actual twist, it highlighted the emotional undercurrents that could have added another layer to the narrative.
Michael speculated, 'Part of me really wanted the extra supernatural layer of it having to do with her mom and her mom's the killer because she's like fleeing from the grief.'
4The 'Groundhog Day' Trope and Character Development
The film's use of the 'Groundhog Day' trope was appreciated for allowing Tree to develop from a self-centered individual into a more empathetic person. The hosts observed her attempts to be a 'good person' and how those efforts initially failed to break the loop, but ultimately contributed to her growth.
The hosts discussed Tree's attempts to be a 'good person' and how 'it didn't work' to end the loop, but still led to her positive changes.
Notable Moments
Michael Boost expresses his enjoyment of 'Happy Death Day' despite his general aversion to horror movies, categorizing it as a 'fun slasher scary' film that was 'easier to handle.'
This sets the tone for the reaction, indicating the film's accessibility and appeal beyond traditional horror audiences, aligning with its horror-comedy blend.
The hosts make early predictions about the killer, initially suspecting the professor due to Tree's affair, and later his wife, based on a brief, suspicious glance.
This demonstrates the film's effective use of red herrings and character interactions to build suspense and mislead the audience, a point the hosts later commend.
Ali Reagan proposes a theory that the time loop might be connected to Tree's grief over her deceased mother, suggesting that resolving this grief could break the cycle.
This highlights a potential thematic depth that the film could have explored, showcasing the hosts' engagement with the narrative beyond just the slasher elements.
The hosts react with surprise and appreciation to the reveal that Tree's roommate, Lori, is the killer, having poisoned a cupcake and freed the serial killer to frame him.
This moment validates the film's clever plotting and misdirection, as the hosts acknowledge how unexpected and well-executed the twist was.
Quotes
"This is like fun slasher scary that's a little bit easier to handle. So, I appreciate you all looking out for my blood pressure."
"I feel like that's too much of a metaphor for this."
"She was every iteration of a horror movie girl. First death to final girl. I think that's really really clever."
"The thing I really love about it, though, is it's it does a really good job of misdirecting."
"You're killing me over a guy. You're crazy. You're crazy."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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