The 2017 dark comedy slasher Happy Death Day is a fun take on the classic Groundhog Day trope, with the main character reliving the same day over and over again. The Blumhouse film was a success on release, making over $125.5 million worldwide on a $4.8 million budget and prompting the sequel, Happy Death Day 2U.
While the film was light-hearted in its approach to time-loop plot lines, it managed to keep the audience guessing throughout until it revealed the killer’s identity. Let’s examine the film’s plot, characters, and the killer’s identity.
Happy Death Day Storyline
Happy Death Day stars Jessica Rothe as Tree Gelbman, a college student at Bayfield University with a complex life. She’s dealing with her mother’s death, a complicated bond with her father, an affair with her professor, and a relationship with her boyfriend, Carter (Israel Broussard). She’s rough around the edges, a little bit selfish, and not the nicest person to those around her.
The movie starts with Tree waking up on her birthday in Carter’s dorm room. Upset and bitter with the world, she ignores everyone’s attempts to show her kindness and goes about her day. But her day takes a twist when she’s murdered by a figure dressed in a distinctive Bayfield Baby mask, which is the school’s mascot. Tree wakes up back in Carter’s dorm room the next morning, alive and well. It becomes clear that she has to go through the same day again, leaving her with no option but to try to avoid the killer and discover their identity.
Even with her best efforts, the killer finds a way to end her life in different ways, from drowning to stabbing. This starts to take a toll on her physical state, as she is left with damage from the previous day each morning. Though she is unsuccessful for several days, Tress experiences a lot of personal growth throughout her journey. By the end, she learns to appreciate the people around her and becomes a likable protagonist.
Who Is the Killer in Happy Death Day?
One of the greatest parts of Happy Death Day is the twist of learning the identity of the Bayfield Baby killer. Much of the movie is spent believing that the escaped convict, John Tombs, is the killer. Tombs is a serial killer who took six young women’s lives at an undisclosed point and is now in police custody. When he enters the hospital for surgery, he is essentially framed by the real killer, who drugs him and dresses him up in the killer’s costume, complete with the baby face mask.
At the film’s end, it’s revealed that Tree’s roommate, Lori (Ruby Modine), is the killer. Tree is able to figure this out by looking back on the repeated day, realizing Lori’s cupcake she offers every morning is poisoned. However, Tree only eats the cupcake on one of the days, which is why Lori has to use her leverage as a hospital employee to frame Tombs for the crime.
Lori’s motive is classic: jealousy. This is clear when it’s revealed that Lori is also having an affair with their professor, causing her to go into a fit of rage and take out her anger on Tree. Much of the movie portrays Lori as a supportive friend, making the twist even more shocking when it’s revealed she is the killer. Tree is able to push Lori out of a window and end her reign of terror, bringing the movie to a satisfying conclusion.
Happy Death Day 2U: The Sequel That Brought Back the Bayfield Baby Killer
A sequel to the movie was released in 2019, entitled Happy Death Day 2U. This installment brings back Tree and some of the original characters, though this take on the story is a more complicated one. The movie deals with the concept of parallel universes, as it is revealed that a device created by a student named Ryan (Phi Vu) is responsible for the time loop.
The Bayfield Baby killer returns in the sequel, but with a twist. This time around, it is revealed that the professor from the first movie, Dr. Butler, is attempting to eliminate any evidence of his affair with Lori, with his wife Stephanie, by his side. Similar to Happy Death Day, there are numerous twists, turns, and reveals that play with the audience’s expectations. The self-aware tone and inventive plot lines make this a fun and worthwhile sequel that keeps the charm of the original alive.
Happy Death Day is an inventive take on a classic slasher trope that presents a fun and thrilling ride. The movie succeeds with its creative take on the time loop concept, along with the memorable characters and surprising twist ending. Tree is an underrated final girl in horror, with a character arc that proves meaningful and satisfying. Fans of Scream and movies like Freaky will find a lot to enjoy with this one, making it a great entry into the millennium slasher genre.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
