Director Christopher Landon has confirmed that Happy Death Day and Freaky exist in the same universe, which means a crossover movie is practically inevitable – here’s how they could make it work. While they don’t necessarily share the same storyline, they do have a very similar makeup. Both Happy Death Day and Freaky reinvent the formulaic nature of slasher flicks with the addition of comedic themes, sci-fi elements, and unique storylines that could make a seamless crossover.
Happy Death Day stars Jessica Rothe as Tree, a young woman who is forced to live out a Groundhog Day scenario where she must relive the day of her death until she successfully defeats her killer. Having died several times, it was believed that her story arc was completed by the end of the original movie, but she returned for Happy Death Day 2U where Landon took the opportunity to explain the time-loop. While the third installment has yet to receive the green light, it is possible that Tree could return for Happy Death Day 3 with Freaky’s Millie (Kathryn Newton) as her co-star.
Freaky was inspired by a classic children’s story that also influenced the iconic Lindsey Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis teen drama, Freaky Friday. When Millie trades lives with a nefarious serial killer (Vince Vaughn), she must locate the knife that caused their body-swap before 24-hours is up or else she will remain in his body forever. The conclusion of Freaky subtly hints at a sequel by leaving the dagger in her possession. She is left to guard it, but if it lands in the hands of the wrong person, Millie and her group of friends will likely have to be the people to stop them, as they are the only few who know of its true power.
While Landon has not revealed how he could make a crossover movie work, there are several options that have been left open by Happy Death Day and Freaky. The main source of it being the time-loop that Tree is locked into. While she is fully aware of how it operates following Happy Death Day 2U, it is still possible that she slips right back into it. Except this time, it could take her to a parallel universe where the Blissfield killer is her new enemy. This would allow Tree to undergo the body-swap and force Millie to live out the same day over in the hopes of saving Tree. It wouldn’t necessarily bring back the cast from the original Happy Death Day movies, but it would include those from Freaky.
Whether Happy Death Day crosses over with Freaky or vice-versa, one of them has to play the dominant role in the narrative. If it completely crossed over with every element they both contain, it would complicate the relationships between every single character, not just Tree and Millie. If Freaky crosses over with Happy Death Day, it’s likely that the dagger has powers that could transport Millie to an alternate universe where Tree is stuck in her birthday time-loop. This could expand on the mythology of the knife, leading to even more sequels and even an explanatory prequel. This scenario would need to be supported by an introductory scene where Millie stabs the Blissfield killer, and her body is transported into Tree’s universe. Either way, it’s entirely possible to make a crossover movie as long as Landon secures which storyline will be the dominant one.
If the director attempted to merge them both where Millie lands in Tree’s position and Tree lands in Millie’s, it would be far too complex to be a singular crossover movie. And, even if it were, it could lead to a confusing plot that doesn’t serve the purpose of furthering either movie’s overarching plotlines. Crossover movies aren’t necessarily rare, but slasher crossover movies, such as Freddy vs. Jason, haven’t been resounding successes. As Christopher Landon has reinvented the slasher sub-genre, it’s possible that his crossover of Happy Death Day and Freaky could result in one of the best horror crossover movies to date.
