31 Days of Halloween: Kill Me Again

2025, Keith Jardine (action actor's feature debut) -- Amazon

OK, tempted to do this in the format of a Loopty Loo, but that would just be unfair to Kent. But indeedy do, this is a horror-thriller time loop movie, but without the comedic light nature of Happy Death Day. Essentially, a psychopath walks into a diner, and then cannot get out. 

The movie begins with a distinct amount of style in colour and music and lighting. I like when mood, vibes, tone are very apparent. The Midnight Mangler, or Charlie (Brendan Fehr, The Night Shift), drives into the diner parking lot in his shitty pickup, and upon entering, takes stock of the people in this all-night place, obviously in the wee hours already. Two rednecks at the counter arguing over shit. A couple who look out of place, having a quiet heart to heart, some random guy sitting in the far back corner eating fries. Two off shift nurses finishing off their pie. A single waitress who is obviously on her last nerve, and does not react well to Charlie's ham fisted attempts at human interaction. He's an ass and she's just not in the mood. Eventually, her shift ends, and he follows her out, coaxing her into his truck with a gun. And then he stabs her.

This whole scene was incredibly uncomfortable. I was wondering what I got myself into. Is this movie going to revel in our psycho? I know he's the main character but shit, this scene seems to be really getting off on his abuse. But, he stabs her and... poof, he's back walking through the door.

Insert the usual commentary about time loop movies and the second iteration. Charlie is confused and assuming people are fucking with him. But still, what makes him feel better? Killing someone. He kills one of the nurses, tries to leave and ... poof. Without getting too detailed, this goes on (and on) for a while. Kill someone, fuck with someone, try to leave, poof. The movie even does the loopty middle bit where the character tosses any caution to the wind, shouting, "I AM A GOD !!" and kills with abandon.

But gradually the movie comes to dislike Charlie, and like, a lot. Sure, there is a wee bit of sympathy as he begins to unravel. A minute smidgen. But then there is the joy in watching him get his ass handed to him by the burly Russian fry cook (massive gun mook #34) over and over and over again. Eventually killing gets boring for even Charlie and he starts trying to figure out what is going on, and how to get out. He does the typical fourth-wall breaking idea of commenting with silent guy-eating-fries that time loop movies usually have the person come to a realization, and get out. But none of it works.

The tones and colours of the movie change, as Charlie degrades. He starts showing it on his face and the lighting in the diner changes. Eventually this all heads to ... well, spoilers.

I am not going to reveal the ending, but it jumped from what I thought was going to be a horror-specific metaphysical tell (Charlie's in Hell; I know, cliche but appropriate) to something entirely different, almost an entirely different movie. It wasn't satisfying, despite them trying to write in a "gotcha Charlie!" hook at the very end.

Still, a chilling, disturbing example of the Loopty Loop movie genre.