A film enthusiast analyzes the movie "Happy Death Day" and identifies six ways the protagonist, Tree, could have beaten the killer, Lori, with fewer deaths.
The enthusiast establishes six rules based on the movie's plot: (1) Tree starts each day in her dorm room, (2) the killer can find Tree wherever she goes, (3) the killer will start coming after Tree at some point in the evening, (4) Tree does not know who the killer is, (5) the day will reset the same way after each death, and (6) Tree has a limited number of loops before she dies for real.
The enthusiast proposes two categories of solutions: non-lethal and lethal. Non-lethal solutions include committing a crime to get arrested and stay in jail, asking the police for help, and hiring a private investigator. Lethal solutions involve using a weapon to kill the killer, such as those found at a Home Depot, like a hammer, axe, or machete. The enthusiast also suggests that Tree could buy a gun from Walmart, as Louisiana has loose gun laws, or purchase one privately from Armslist, a website that allows private gun sales without background checks.
Ultimately, the enthusiast concludes that these solutions would have allowed Tree to beat the killer with fewer deaths, and invites viewers to share their thoughts on the proposed solutions.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. "Happy Death Day" was the breakout success of the 2017 Halloween film season.
2. The film made $150 million at the box office on a $5 million production budget.
3. The film is about a Bayfield University student named Tree who gets murdered and wakes up to relive the same day.
4. The killer, Lori, is Tree's roommate.
5. The film was shot at Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana.
6. Bayfield University is assumed to be situated in New Orleans.
7. The killer doesn't have magical powers, but seems to be able to find Tree wherever she goes.
8. The killer starts coming after Tree at around 9:30 p.m.
9. Tree does not know who the killer is at the start.
10. After each death, the day resets exactly the same way.
11. Tree has a limited number of loops before she dies for real.
12. Tree dies on screen 10 times and survives.
13. The killer, Lori, is armed with a knife.
14. Louisiana has some of the loosest gun laws in the country.
15. In Louisiana, you don't need a permit to purchase a gun, register the firearm, or have an owner's license.
16. There are no assault weapon restrictions and no magazine capacity restrictions in Louisiana.
17. A background check is required to buy a gun in Louisiana, but it only takes a few minutes.
18. Tree could buy a gun from her local Walmart and practice with it before the killer shows up.
19. Armslist.com is a website where people can buy and sell guns privately without background checks.
20. Up to 54% of sellers on Armslist.com would be willing to sell to someone who probably couldn't pass a background check.