Happy Death Day (2017)

Directed by Christopher Landon. Starring Jessica Rothe, Israel Broussard, Ruby Modine, Charles Aitken, Rachel Matthews, Phi Vu, Caleb Spillyards, Rob Mello, Cariella Smith. [PG-13]

College student and sorority sister Tree Gelbman (Rothe) is stalked and slaughtered by a mysterious killer wearing a cherubic mask…only to wake up to relive the day—and get butchered—all over again (and again and again). If she hopes to end the grisly cycle, she’s going to need to figure out who wants her dead and stop them. As a slasher film and a mystery, pretty tame and unexemplary stuff, but writer Scott Lobdell and director Landon apply a heavy dose of black humor, wry sarcasm, satire, and tongue-in-cheek goofiness to the proceedings—it’s not a scary flick, but it is funny. As the anti-“final girl,” dynamic Rothe starts out playing a rather selfish and obnoxious character, but she quickly becomes a raucous delight—who knew that getting murdered a dozen times would bring out the best in a person? When the script loses much of its verve and spontaneity in the last half-hour, it’s Rothe that holds it all together. A disposable but tasty treat, much like the birthday cupcake Tree keeps pitching. Followed by a sequel.

66/100