Two college besties sit in the dark watching a slasher film. The doorbell rings setting off all manner of horror and hilarity in the film, “A Killer Secret”, from filmmaker, Bettina Bresnan playing now on Alter’s YouTube Channel. Written by Bresnan and Julian Burzynski, the comedy, the scares, and the smart dialogue combine for an edge-of-your-seat, laugh-out-loud wild ride.
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The Plot
Huddling in the dark, the light from the television screen illuminates two friends as they watch an 80s-style slasher. The pair are in an animated discussion about their abilities to survive a Michael Myers situation similar to what is playing out on screen. Sassy dialogue, back and forth, during the movie peppered with witty observations sets the comedic tone to follow.
The pair’s interaction quickly establishes their somewhat vapid approach to life which works in the film’s favor when death comes knocking. During their discussion of why they would die first in a life or death situation, the doorbell unexpectedly rings. It’s past midnight. Then a cell phone rings. The caller ID display reads UNKNOWN. When one of them answers the call, static fills the line and the voice appears to say, “I’m going to kill you.”
This intrusion into their otherwise cozy evening triggers a chaotic dash for their survival.
They head to the front door and press the intercom to inform the stranger outside that today is inconvenient for them to die. A random hand struggles to access the door lock through the doggie door for entry. The pair finally end up hiding in the dark in a bathtub. This panicked moment takes on a deathbed confessional vibe with the pair sharing revelations that grow increasingly more salacious. As the cell phone rings again, the biggest secret is revealed.
What Lies Underneath
The secret reveal in the closing moments is the catalyst that shifts the film from a satirical 80’s throwback into a present-day contemporary setting. With the switch comes a more muted atmosphere. Gone is the upbeat frenzied energy. The friends’ banter is stiff and cautious. The previous panic gives way to a calm realization that they have done some unkind, and sometimes bizarre, things to each other over the years. And the biggest secret of all lingers between them. And the viewer.
On the surface, “A Killer Secret” pokes at the slasher and final girl tropes, guided by its 80’s inspired costuming and dialogue. The tropes exist to portray an idealized, performative version of womanhood, and by extension, victimhood. The friends’ façades were stripped away under duress to expose their questionable bad behavior. The need to clear the air of horrible wrongs was palpable. In a way, things got authentic when they thought the end was nigh. The friends shared their truest selves at the end of the film as opposed to the performative version at the beginning.
What Makes It Killer
The comic timing between Bettina Bresnan and Julian Burzynski is magic. “A Killer Secret” dials up the crazy in its five-minute run time and the viewer is better for it.
“A Killer Secret” is pure, unabashed fun. And that’s what makes it so damn good!
Watch it below.
Director: Bettina Bresnan
Co-Writer: Julian Burzynski
Cast:
