The Deeper Meaning of Happy Death Day

I made this video essay after watching Happy Death Day (2017) and Happy Death Day 2U (2019), directed by Christopher Landon and starring Jessica Rothe, Israel Broussard, Rachel Matthews, Phi Vu and more. In this video, I explore the deeper themes of these two films; symbolism, the entanglement of birth and death, the cyclical time loop nature of life under the sun, whether there's hope for growth (hence, 'Tree' Gelbman's name), the multiverse and more.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:40 The Time Loop
05:54 The Arc
13:07 The Scientific Fluke
20:02 Scream Connections
20:50 Outro
Check out 'Cinemagogue - Director's Cut' by James Harleman...
cinemagogue.com/2023/10/23/cin...
Popcorn Theology Podcast...
popcorntheology.com/
REFERENCES
- Happy Death Day (2017)
- Happy Death Day 2U (2019)
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Copyright Disclaimer: under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, allowance is made for 'exceptions to copyright' such as...
- Criticism, review, quotation and news reporting
- Caricature, parody or pastiche
I believe that the use of content in this video/thumbnail is fair use. If any content owners would like to dispute this, I will be glad to immediately remove the content in question. I do not wish to infringe on anyone's content ownership.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Hi everyone! Want to go even deeper with these conversations? I'd love to invite you to my brand new online Discord community. You can join right now for free by clicking this link: discord.com/invite/s99tWKJgu7

[@Lord-Jashin]

I think one thing you missed that makes the second movie hit a little harder on the premise it set out for. The first movie reshapes her into a better version of herself, but the second movie puts her in situations that actively challenge her growth and forces her to make difficult decisions that test whether it was superficial or real change

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Thanks for your comment! Great point. And that's why it's a worthwhile sequel, it's not just a rehash of the lessons she's already learned.

[@kimberlyward350]

The last time I got to visit my father in hospice during Covid lockdown, he had me pick a movie on tv. I came across this movie and being a horror buff I was intrigued- my dad said to me "you're just like your mother" and chuckled. To me I knew it was actually a loving compliment. He passed shortly after and I never forgot the movie and the moment. I was grieving and I searched endlessly to figure out the name of it and when I did I was shocked. I cried. A lot. And now I have it on dvd and I revisit the moment as a good one and to be in the face of the brutal truth of life and death.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Thanks for sharing that Kimberly. So sorry for your loss. Amazing how films can speak into our personal lives like that.

[@laraprisma6381]

I also watched this film with my father, he is still alive today(I'm sorry if this offends anyone, it wasn't my intention) but I had a lot of fun with him that day. We also saw the second film and I couldn't stop laughing at the humor in these films!

[@DeathnoteBB]

Have you seen the sequel? It even has the death of a parent as a major plot point

[@watashinoweakness]

​@@DeathnoteBB YOU CAN'T JUST HYPE IT UP LIKE THAT

[@Andrew-Ryan]

@@laraprisma6381”he’s still alive” what a sick humble brag.

[@creeper5051]

"Happy Death Day" is a damn good film. One of Blumhouse's best releases.

[@kaitlynboss3497]

I’m sure a lot of people were mad that it seemed like the second movie erased the progress she made with her grief, but in reality dealing with the loss of a loved one is a messy process. You can fall back into previous stages or jump ahead and skip stages only to go through them later. Mourning is not a straight line by any means and it’s completely realistic that she “lost some progress”.

[@windowsVD]

I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone actually complain about the second film “erasing” Tree’s progress with grief. The only complaint that I heard about was that some people didn’t buy her decision to return to her original dimension and be with Carter instead of staying in this alternate dimension where her mom is alive.

[@ZerpFor]

@@windowsVD That's dumb ngl, doing that just shows that she's moved on from her mom and letting the past go to have a better future

[@Likeomgitznich]

Happy death day is honestly a masterpiece. It balances the right amount of fun and seriousness. The casts chemistry is great. Love it

[@miyouu]

My favourite scene in cinema! "You are gay!"

[@studioarentain3960]

Great video! IMO, Happy Death Day is one of the best meta slasher films since the original Scream, and I really wish the series had continued down the path that the first film set rather than the comedic tone the sequel had.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thanks so much! Yes, the sequel definitely leans into the comedy a lot more than the horror.

[@9razzler9]

i actually love both original and sequel. i didnt expect to like it but it actually is clever in its own way. it's not as serious but it works

[@chexfan2000]

i always liked happy death day a lot. It felt like being a time loop sort of liberated the story from the general mean-spirited vibe slashers have by necessity and allowed for a really gleefully over-the-top indulgence in fun chase scenes.

[@tentofstupidity4954]

The whole movie reminds me of Momento Mori. This is a famous Latin saying meaning remember you will die. Only by accepting death is Tree ever able to better herself, overcoming death in the process. It also goes to show that nothing will change until you change. Tree is never able to find her killer until she improves her character. By accepting the seeming goodwill of her roommate’s cupcake, she is able to finally change her fate.

[@the_petty_crocker]

I always enjoyed this movie, but it wasn't until watching again after my mother died that I really appreciated what it was saying. Some might dismiss its message as simplistic, but the most impacting lessons are usually quite simple. Tree might have been compelled by circumstance, but she chose to become a better, stronger, and more compassionate person. I think she's what hallmarks Scream for me - because you're right, HDD isn't self-referential - but Tree is almost as awesome as Sidney Prescott. I'd be really interested in your take on another of Chris Landon's horror-comedies, Freaky. Thanks for a great video!

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Thanks so much for sharing that. I'd love to check out Freaky!

[@GAT957]

I will alow

[@pendoe1]

It seems like this movie is an extremely condensed version of the premise of The Good Place. If you're given an (in)finite number of times to redo your life with no repercussions, you could grow as a person, especially if you have people you care about and who care about you with you. I guess that's also the premise of Groundhog's Day, but The Good Place spells it out as the thesis of the show. It emphasizes the importance of connections and how they can make us better people.

[@LetsDriveSomewhere]

Thank you so much for tying my favorite TV show to my favorite movies!

[@xsomili5501]

I went into the cinema expecting a typical horror movie. Instead I came out feeling... Refreshed and.. wistful. I ended up loving Tree a LOT, and the journey she goes through. I dont remember if it was the first or second death day movie but, Tree seeinf her mother alive again made me cry😭 I have both my parents but i still felt what she felt. The sorrow mixed with happiness, to finally see her mother again, even though, that isnt really _her_ mother..

[@xsomili5501]

_BOTH_ the first and second movie were entertaining yet thoughtful. Love them so much

[@OneNvrKnoz]

A completely underrated set of movies that I wish got more recognition for just how good they are

[@Raviolling]

Dude in first grade I saw this trailer and the next day I told everyone about it and we sang happy birthday but birth was swapped with death. The teachers had to make us stop lol

[@wakabayashigenzo]

How do you only have 2k subscribers?! This video was so insightful and very well done. Looking forward to watch more from you!

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thank you! Very kind!

[@caseymckenna7111]

I watched Happy Death Day completely by accident one day and I was completely blown away. I assumed it was gonna be generic slasher stuff and I’m a lifelong horror fan, so I’ve seen that kinda thing done so many times that it takes a lot to make that particular flavor feel worth it to me. But this series really managed to do something fun, interesting and emotionally effective enough to do just that. I’d take a third with the same team any day.

[@Nightman221k]

Tree is one of my very favorite horror heroines. She grows into a better person and has a really fun sense of humor. Jessica Rothe is fun in the role.

[@xsomili5501]

16:32 tree's mother's words here hit me so hard..

[@stadthaus.7266]

I have to stop you at 13:14 `cause I haven´t seen the 2nd. jet. But I agree with youre analysis and I like you´re voice and style. Last Vid was nice as well.

[@xsomili5501]

You should watch the 2nd one soon. It is just as great, further challenging her growth

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Sure thing! Thanks so much!

[@CipherCutie]

For what it matters, I don't see Multiverse stories as making things insignificant, quite the opposite. The universe is vast, infinite, and unknowable, yes. But you matter. Every little choice you make, matters. What you do here, what comments you leave on a random youtube video, could change things in ways you can't foresee. It's not hopelessness, but Hope itself. What you did, what do, what you will do, they all shape the world around us. After all, if there are infinite realities out there, the only thing that matters is that your are in this one, with these people, and there is no other exactly like it.

[@treshaunrogers]

This was a neat video that inspired me to watch the movies, but one thing that stuck out to me was the understanding of samsara/karmic consequences as a "punishment." From the way I was taught, samsara is something generally to escape from, but its not because it is a punishing thing. It's taken to be a fact that existence entails suffering of some kind because it's not possible to satisfy all desires, but karma is just the consequences of your actions across the cycle. Just like how it is inaccurate to say you were punished with pain from touching a hot stovetop as a kid, pain is just the natural consequence of touching hot things. It operates under a different moral framework, so while it makes enough sense to say she's possibly being punished for her misbehavior, in "actuality" she's experience the natural consequences of her behavior. To escape samara is in some way to escape the bindings of your desires; in my own perspective, it's likely because a lack of desire and a lack of disappointment goes both ways. Whether you recognize existence as "one" or "null," "you'll" likely wouldn't perceive suffering as suffering by that point

[@itsanu1420]

Yes exactly^^^^^^ it’s not a punishment. If anything I keep seeing this theme of growing and learning through those experiences in Hindu thought. You had to pass through a terrible birth because of your past actions so you can grow and get to a better birth or escape it.

[@Garfy_boy]

Oh my gosh. When I was like 7 or 8, I saw an ad for this movie and I was completely in shock and traumatized. For 2 or 3 months I stopped using KZbin. Luckily I am much older and more mature now and I think this is a quite interesting film. :)

[@GlowHeavy1021]

Just found your channel and hands down one of my new favorites. Lovely job!

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thanks so much! Very kind.

[@Whatever-xs9pe]

I FUCKING LOVE THIS MOVIE, glad there’s a video about it now

[@torak_34]

I adore these movies, thank you for the video.

[@avewits7258]

How ik yu was British before i pressed the vid not tryna clown yu, yall just always got me on these deep introspective dives and i love it❤

[@psychsephone9832]

I saw this movie with my mom on the day I had to put my kitten down (he had FIP). Weird choice for a distraction I know but I'd been wanting to see it for a while. Then the sequel came out and my mom passed away a couple years later and...yeah I still love both movies, I think they're incredibly underrated, but the sequel especially is so hard to watch without crying

[@CinnaSwirls]

"There's no way this is intentional," I think to myself until approximately 8 minutes in. A single quote from the director:

[@Squishy876]

Gotta say though, the idea that she'd go back to the universe where her mom is dead for a guy she essentially just met really bothered me. Like there's really no way that makes sense, especially since she could still find and date him but whatever. Good analysis regardless

[@xsomili5501]

For real. Everyone would choose the mother universe. Unless you truly have already moved on

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Thanks so much for your comment! That's a good point. Perhaps part of it is her coming to terms with the fact that it's not truly her reality. So can this woman truly be considered her mother? Again, this for me is one of the issues with the whole multiverse thing.

[@tyraoqvist350]

I think Carter serves more as symbolism in that moment. Like she's going back to her universe because she realised that while she didn’t have her mom anymore, she has a new supportsystem around her that's worth protecting. She's got her dad, and now she's also got Carter who's first and foremost been her friend through these movies, they've built something together that's worth nurturing. I think that's what she goes back for.

[@torak_34]

Ultimately it's Tree deciding to be (mostly) selfless and go back to the reality that was meant for her. It's character growth.

[@daphnezoewoods7774]

Tree was going to stay but two things happens that changes her mind. 1. When she and her mother were talking her mom kept referring things that in this universe they did together but in hers she didn’t, so she really didn’t know who she was talking to and felt like staying here with her mom would be living a lie. 2. Carter dies that day in the hospital trying to save Lori, so if tree stayed here she couldn’t even date him later. Tree goes back with these to things in mind. She loves her mom, but Carter helped her and even dies multiple times drying to save her and others. She goes back to be with someone who truly cares

[@hahathatisfunnybro]

I love the premade garageband loops in the transitions 😭😭

[@oofacethemilkshake806]

I thought this was a channle with at least 10k subscribers. This is some good content.

[@gamervet4760]

15:24 Man, you look at that like it's soul crushing. Ya know, back in the 90s, the multiverse was actually cool in comic books. There were established rules, and they didn't pull any stunts for shock value. Not until the mid-2000s anyway. The problem now is that we keep visiting the same idea for a multiverse. So we've seen it over and over and over.

[@sebay4654]

Yeah they almost always do it in the same way if not a slight but meaningless tweak

[@Elizzabeth2]

Say what you will about Blumhouse, I really enjoyed Happy Death Day. One of the only slashers I really enjoy as she doesn't die, just loops.

[@soupscreech]

I got to meet Phi Vu on a cruise a couple weeks ago, didn’t realize who he was at the time though 😅

[@angelicamagana8656]

He looks a lot like MatPat in my opinion.

[@nomu5873]

true

[@BeaAdelineManlangit]

It's just a theory,a film theory!

[@elreturner1227]

For anyone wondering the graph is x^2+sin x

[@gamervet4760]

These movies were great. There was some girl power stuff in it, but they didn't make her an unstoppable force. Instead, she was like a rubber band. Bouncing back each time. I liked the overall mystery, and the sequel had more comedy in it, which actually helped set it apart from the first one.

[@shaghayeghtehrani6285]

What a remarkable insight to a movie i considered a waste of time. Thank you so much for going so deep and thorough with this video. I subscribed immediately.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thank you so much! Welcome to the channel!

[@talkingonyoutube623]

Loved the video, Happy death day is such a great movie and your analysis was so amazing, especially bc most people just think this is a dumb funny movie

[@Belitmedia]

WONDERFUL JOB!

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Thank you!

[@SarcasticPossum]

I'd like to see it as DBD cosmetics or as a chapter.

[@JustRhysky]

I agree. A half-chapter with her as the survivor would be great!

[@xsomili5501]

Yes! And Babyface as the killer. I would download DBD again for this

[@Jop9099]

​@@xsomili5501what do you think the power would be?

[@skraxaxxaxa484]

Great video

[@sieungirls]

I watched this movie a couple of years ago and it terrified me. I also share a birthday with my mum, and it’s pretty close to the MC’s birthday. I though that this was a sign that the same thing is going to happen to me and I was trying to “avoid it”, now I laugh about 11 years old me sticking with my mom 24/7 so that we either survive together or die together.

[@xsomili5501]

17:53 Teresa's actress did a TERRIFIC job here. Moved me to tears

[@HaleThePanda]

I'm spooked, I have the same birthday (death day) as the protagonist 😂

[@nomu5873]

i always thought this movie was like a joke horror movie, but i guess it really is deeper than that.

[@Think.1.]

I remember all the ads of this movie on tv

[@Aflacist]

Most horror movies are deeper than people think

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Agreed!

[@yehonathan]

Really great essay, man. Subs now.

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thank you so much!

[@nocursewm2938]

I absolutely loved these movies. They are genuinely good movies. Not just movies that worked for. I hope if they do make the 3rd they keep up the level they’ve been working at. Not caving to what a marketing group says they want. That’s was makes the 3rd in a series frequently disappointing.

[@silvie626]

I remember seeing a trailer for this when I was 7 because I was going to the theatre to watch the my little pony movie. It scared the shit out of me lmao

[@Hi-jw7oq]

You should check out "before i fall"

[@azlansarwary9085]

You’re so underrated

[@nmoney6655]

I noticed that I got weaker after a stroke and seizures landed me in a coma for 3 months and I was able to even wrestle my brothers to the ground before I went into the coma after I can barely beat my 4-year nephew who is currently on my arm and leaning on me

[@pleaseno7555]

I actually have a super complex background related to this movie that’s very interesting but I’ll never tell u

[@hannajeggings9619]

Loved this movie sm

[@ChaosRaych]

Fun Fact: Some studies show you're actually more likely to die on your birthday 🎂☠️ Great video! I'd never really given this movie much thought, but I quite enjoy your analysis. Looking forward to checking out more of your channel

[@PERIX_QR]

Why do I always get this video recommend to me past 3 am? Hell naw I ain't watching it before sleep

[@SmallOneEyedKing]

I love this movie

[@skywalkerjohn8965]

The thing i love about this film is that it's not unlimited, you will die eventually so you can't do the same thing over and over again.

[@gamervet4760]

1:08 Oh, I just stick to the cigarette metaphor.

[@Ana-yh8ek]

Happy death day is my favorite movie, and eclesiastes is my favorite book on the bible, THIS VIDEO WAS MADE ESPECIALLY FOR ME (or so I like to think lol)

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Amazing! Welcome.

[@jerry_blueberry]

If a 3rd does come out, I'm interested as to what they'll call it.

[@penguinspy3478]

Happy death day: three wishes (like the birthday candle from the first movie)

[@torak_34]

Director Christopher Landon said the current title is "Happy Death Day To Us"

[@FloofPuppy]

I wish we would get more Comedy Horror movies like this one~

[@susdawgproductions6673]

You look kinda like MatPat

[@lunamoonintheverse]

STOP THATS WHAT I WAS THINKING

[@jakedebruin2246]

I feel like happy death day 1 & 2 is one of the 6 or so blumhouse movies.

[@Atmatan_Kabbaher]

So. Alchemy is the secret to immortality. You have to die before you can really live. Self awareness. Metaphysical gold, and all that. A tale as old as time.

[@notfire1]

any relation?

[@angelisephil173]

can you do final destination ??

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Good suggestion! I'll add it to the list

[@SillyMogger]

This video is so well made , U deserve way more subscribers

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ah thank you!

[@blackoutsingingsessions8411]

Never did i think , somebody would think about this , and help me too , to think this way . I am glad i came across this video .

[@Atmatan_Kabbaher]

Just a random, entirely unrelated side fact with absolutely no hidden or ulterior motive behind sharing it: The Phyrexians, a machine-species from another plane of existence, recently breached the walls of the multiverse within Magic: the Gatherings lore. The exact point this story happened irl, something which was set up for decades worth of books and card sets, coincides precisely to when ai like chatgpt exploded in popularity. Since then, every crossover you can imagine from multiple other multiversal fictions have bridged into the world of Magic, and vice versa. The walls are coming down, whether anyone likes it or not. Our fiction is just the testing ground for reality to get its iterations accurate.

[@salt8044]

3:25 haha that’s my birthday wait…

[@gll1947]

Love the content! People will flock in droves soon my friend

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Aw thanks so much!

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

I swear, my one prediction did not happen. I predicted that the reason she could not guess who her killer was because a new one cane in each day. I figured she had to guess the killer for that day or encounter everyone as a group to stop her loop.

[@dietrichrache1975]

Love this movie, had to click. Hope its worth it.

[@AlekzanderTamayo-ln8bf]

These movies are like Amnesia:A Machine For Pigs, in the other stats, it's bad, but in story and morals, it's a masterpiece.

[@Keekee1253]

I watching this the day after my birthday

[@nomu5873]

happy late bday to you!

[@Keekee1253]

@@nomu5873 thank you

[@embershen364]

18 september is also my birthday 🤣

[@louannbehold]

Not an MKL Jr quote to support a film theory.

[@ajax201000]

they never do anything with the accumulation of damage from multiple deaths, it's abandoned as soon as it's introduced.

[@alcidedragon]

Its more a idea that she can't just do it as much as she want

[@ajax201000]

@@alcidedragon which ends up being inconsequential and logically makes no sense

[@alcidedragon]

@@ajax201000 No ? Why ?

[@ajax201000]

@@alcidedragon why does it make no sense? Because time is veing reset, everything except Tree's memories reset so why would any damage remain? The cause of the damage literally never happened once time was reset.

[@alcidedragon]

@@ajax201000 If you consider that her body is reset why do she have her memory back then ?

[@theepicloafofbread]

movie makers: we saw groundhog day and decided we could make something similar this guy: DEEP LORE ngl tho this is cool

[@sebay4654]

My problem with the second movie is the multiverse (Because the Way Hollywood Handles it is really Stale to Me and Uninteresting)(my setting stats the multiverse is real but it isn't infinite and that crossing universes is literally 2nd year magic and so Theirs Complex Multiversal Conflicts (note that every Universe doesnt branch off from one True Universe but instead the Universal Constant slightly Deviates (Alpha) so the atoms ofeach universe are the same but their positions are ever so slightly off dominoing into Different worlds within the same Multiverse (also multiverse is a misnomer here because kf the fact of their being multiple grouped together based on Clusters of Divergence and along with that Multiversal collaboration leads to people whom would Never be born without being able to cross Universe's,

[@permeus2nd]

1:00 speak for yourself I intend to Live Forever😅 I also call the Bdays happy suviving another year day.

[@bannedfreespeech]

This and the babysitter series need a tgird fikm

[@gamervet4760]

10:46 I just gotta say, I don't like your upside down chart. Arcs go up and down. Not down then up, that's a dip.

[@jjcooldog05]

Joe bartolozzi from a different universe

[@lawrencecummings8534]

My KZbin algo is riddled with Brits explaining American stories to me and how much deeper they are than expected and I want to complain but I can’t… because if I do, a lad from Glastonbury will explain why having a problem with this is deeper than expected. Then a mate from Brisbane will explain it’s simple but elegant and that’s why it’s neat.

[@bdn4306]

You look like Kai Havertz😂😂 good video though

[@ominous_light]

You kinda resemble tree's bf

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Hahahaha!

[@DanDCool]

16:30 mom conveniently says something extremely relevant without knowing anything ofc movie cliche

[@Richest4Real]

Turn you life to Jesus and you will be saved bless all who watching 🙏

[@brendonli5220]

yap yap yap

[@zomfallen7099]

.

[@amircool2529]

*I like what i saw, this video wasnt a waste of time like others*

[@Temari0403]

lol “subscribe if you wanna stay in the loop” (⌒▽⌒)

[@ThorogoodFilms]

Ha! I didn't even notice that

[@Temari0403]

@@ThorogoodFilms I honestly thought you did it on purpose XD

[@siddmic]

Run Lola Run did it first, just saying.