Some film sequels are like copycat killers. The inspiration is clear, but is it there in its own right, or is it merely an imitation of the original? Writer-director Jeff Knite’s The Omicron Killer is the sequel to The Covid Killer. While the focus is on the blood, the movie, by turns, pokes fun at the media, beer advertising, cult worship, and buddy cop features. The flick manages to be fun shlock, primarily through dialogue and watching various situations from other titles pop up with nudity and gruesome gore.
The picture begins like a gritty police drama with a moment of the COVID-19 killer terrorizing New York City. Dramatically, a police officer masquerading as an old homemaker tricks the killer into her home. Turning around with gun drawn, the killer gets what he deserves. Soon after the news of the murder’s death is released, the copycat killer is introduced. The Omicron Killer (the physically imposing Paugh Shadow) is dressed in a torn-up t-shirt and ripped jeans, sports an unkempt beard held together by a surgical mask, and brandishes a crowbar. He impales the detective who killed his idol, the COVID-19 Killer.
Walking away victorious, the Omicron Killer is attacked and wounded by muggers. While in the hospital, the copycat is mothered oddly by Nurse Nancy (Bai Ling). She strokes his brow and beard, saying she will care for him. It’s not enough to soothe the savage beast who breaks out and begins killing everyone in the radius of his crowbar. The Omicron Killer’s brutality bathes the city in blood.
“…impales the detective who killed his idol, the COVID-19 Killer.”
The Omicron Killer becomes a series of gore, nudity, and the copycat killer plunging his crowbar into bodies from all sides. The dialogue is rather fun. Granted, it is mostly bad jokes and toilet humor punctuated by female nudity in-between bouts with the crowbar. The gruesome horror and the comedy work well together.
The film pays homage to several beloved or cult-favorite horror movies from the past. A psychotic clown reminiscent of the Terrifier series is a major secondary killer. Alien monsters similar to those in Killer Klowns from Outer Space show up. Knite even tosses in a satanic cult, led by Edi Schaefer (Felicity Rose), hoping to resurrect the real Covid Killer through a bloody ritual. Voorhees appears on a street sign.
Lynn Lowery as Captain Louise Callahan is over the top in spots. She delivers her lines with proper authority and the right comedic timing. Rose, best known for Sleepaway Camp, delivers a monologue to the hilt of a blade and is still creepy. She’s clearly relishing the moment and having fun. An exchange between two undercover policemen about an arrest, cuffs, and peanut butter made me sit up.
The Omicron Killer does its best with a low budget and some flashy editing to keep the pace going. The carnage is punctuated by odd characters doing strange things in pursuit of the murderer. The practical effects shine, with folks getting bashed with a crowbar, struck in the throat, or lifted off the ground screaming. This is great-tasting popcorn horror as long as you don’t mind jokes about bowel movements.
"…great-tasting popcorn horror..."
