“Totally Killer” is a fun little slasher film with a twist – a mash-up of two genres that manages to draw inspiration from previous films while creating its own unique presence.

It may not always work as a horror film (truth be told it’s more comedic than frightening), but it has a lot of fun with its time-shifting storyline. It’s a unique hook that works as well as films like “Happy Death Day” and “Freaky.”

In “Killer,” Jamie Hughes (Kiernan Shipka) is a modern day teen living in the town of Vernon – best known for an event back in 1987 when a serial killer known as the Sweet 16 Killer murdered three girls – Tiffany Clark, Marisa Song and Heather Hernandez – on their 16th birthdays.

The killer returns and kills Jamie’s mom Pam (Julie Bowen), who was friends with the three girls murdered in 1987 – and sets out to do the same to Jamie, but Jamie manages to escape in a time machine built by her friend Amelia (Kelcey Mawema).

The time machine sends Jamie back to 1987, right before the murders begin. Jamie sees this as a chance to warn everyone before they happen and perhaps save everyone’s lives while revealing the killer’s identity.

What she discovers is the ’80s are nothing like present day.

The strength of “Totally Killer” comes from Jamie’s attempt to adapt to an era where politically correct was a long way from being a reality. Shipka is really good at playing off the shock of what it was like to be a teen in the ’80s – showing more responsibility than her teenage parents.

David Matalon, Sasha Perl-Raver and Jen D’Angelo’s screenplay pays homage to “Back to the Future” here – directly referencing the iconic film throughout.

Director Nahnatchka Khan also plays off the time travel element well. One of the fun things is allowing the audience to see both time periods at the same time with Jamie’s action in 1987 directly effecting the present.

The comedic elements are so good it helps to prop up the slasher part of the film, which is arguably the weakest part of “Totally Killer.” The mystery feels a little flat when it reaches its final destination, with any suspense throughout tempered at best.

Still “Totally Killer” has enough working for it to make it a fun addition to the Halloween rotation. If you aren’t in the mood to go to the theaters and see the latest “Exorcist” or “Saw,” this will definitely satisfy your spooky itch.

Starring: Kiernan Shipka, Olivia Holt

Directed by: Nahnatchka Khan

Rating: R for bloody violence, language, sexual material and teen drug/alcohol use

Playing at: Available for streaming on Amazon Prime

Grade: B-