What Is Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth About?
The premise of Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth in 307 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the sleepy, oddly named town of Bulimia Falls, a relentless masked figure stalks the night with a twisted sense of style, turning ordinary streets into a playground for horror clichés. The film savors the familiar chill of a slasher while constantly winking at every genre‑defining rule, promising a blend of fright and farce that feels both nostalgic and wildly inventive. The atmosphere crackles with an uneasy mix of genuine tension and absurd comedy, setting the stage for a night that refuses to play by any straight‑man’s script.
Enter Hagitha Utslay, a flamboyant TV host whose thirst for a sensational story pushes her straight into the heart of the chaos. Armed with a camera and a pop‑up book about the killings, she treats the terror as prime‑time entertainment, turning every scream into a headline. Alongside her is Doughy, a newly dismissed mall security guard whose over‑confident attempts at protecting the town’s teenagers add a clumsy, well‑meaning counterpoint to the unfolding dread, creating a comic foil to the looming menace.
The teenage core of the tale centers on Dawson Deery, the nervous newcomer who instantly finds himself tangled in a tight‑knit circle of friends. Martina balances flirtation and mystery, while Boner lurches between bravado and insecurity. Slab carries an unmistakable swagger, and Barbara offers a grounded, if slightly sardonic, perspective. Their high‑school lives—full of whispered secrets, tentative romances, and the ever‑present pressure to fit in—serve as the perfect canvas for the film’s satirical take on classic teen‑slasher dynamics.
All of this unfolds under a self‑aware lens that constantly references iconic horror moments, turning each scare into a punchline and each punchline into a reminder of the genre’s roots. The tone stays unapologetically irreverent, promising a night where the line between victim and spectacle blurs, and where the town’s youthful optimism is tested by an ever‑present, theatrically murderous shadow.
What Happens in Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth?
The complete story of Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth, from the first scene to the last, in 790 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
In a house, Screw, a teenage girl, is stalked by a figure known as The Killer. During the chase she accidentally runs into a bug zapper and is electrocuted. The killer, disappointed that he wasn’t the one to kill her, lights a cigarette, and the heat of the moment melts his Jason Voorhees-style mask, revealing a face that resembles a Scream mask.
The next day, Dawson Deery starts at Bulimia Falls High School and quickly joins a tight-knit crew consisting of Boner, Slab, Barbara, and Martina. Dawson feels an attraction to Martina, though he isn’t sure if her feelings are romantic or not. As they process Screw’s death, they cling to the belief that school life keeps danger at bay, even as chaos begins to loom outside their classroom walls. An anthrax bomb is being assembled elsewhere, and the killer has already set his sights on more victims and even hints at a plot against the president.
At the same time, they cross paths with EmpTV News reporter Hagitha Utslay, a thrill-seeking journalist who is covering the string of murders and who has even authored a best-selling pop-up book about the case. Hagitha quickly points the finger at Dawson, adding to the tension and suspicion swirling around the new student. The group also meets Barbara’s brother, Doughy, an inept security guard who recently lost his job patrolling a mall and is convinced Screw’s death was nothing more than a prank. Amid the chatter, Hagitha’s cameraman is murdered, a sign that the danger is escalating far beyond a prank.
As the day unfolds, more students fall victim to the killer. Each member of the friend circle receives a letter from the killer, one that seems to know a private secret from their past. The letters force the group to confront memories of a time when they were drunk-driving and hit a deer, then dumped the animal into the sea. Those recollections spark confessions: Martina hasn’t actually laxated her grandmother; Boner’s inadvertent actions led to his brother’s death in prison; Slab smoked his uncle’s ashes; Barbara once removed the “do not remove” tag from a mattress. The tone remains darkly comic, yet the tension grows as the secrets surface.
Meanwhile, Hagitha and Doughy flirt, distracting themselves from the mounting danger. Dawson receives another letter; it’s revealed that he himself was the one who was run over by the others while wearing a deer costume, forced by a hillbilly to don the outfit and pretend to be part of the prank. The hillbilly’s own death—an explosion caused by him farting in a fireplace—adds another bizarre twist to the already tangled night.
Deciding to ride out the threat, the friends plan to spend the night at a secluded house, heading to Slab’s after school. Throughout the late afternoon and evening, each member faces an attack but somehow escapes unharmed. The killer confronts Principal Interest, but the showdown ends with the principal electrocuting himself in a bathtub, removing a potential obstacle from the killer’s path.
That night, the party at Slab’s becomes the center of the suspense. Boner takes an unconscious girl upstairs in a misguided attempt to lose his virginity, yet the killer strikes before anything meaningful can happen. Martina lays out the parody-movie playbook in a humorous aside, while Barbara is chased outside by the killer and nearly ends up meeting a tragic end due to an allergic reaction to bee stings. Martina and Dawson grow closer as the night wears on, and Slab is revealed to have abused steroids, a revelation that ends with his head exploding in a grisly, over-the-top moment.
The chase intensifies as Martina and Dawson are pursued by the killer, while Hagitha and Doughy—preoccupied with strip poker—do not intervene to help. In a climactic turn, Martina, Dawson, and Doughy confront the killer just as Hagitha and Doughy arrive on the scene. The killer is unmasked as Hardy, Doughy’s “evil twin cousin,” whom Doughy intends to let go free. Hagitha, however, shoots Hardy, ending the immediate threat and leaving Doughy to deal with the fallout. Boner survives the night, having taken an entire bottle of Viagra which keeps his heart pumping after the earlier heart attack, a bizarre twist that underscores the film’s offbeat tone. As the trio departs, they receive a final call from the killer, but Dawson refuses to engage and walks away, with the killer following in pursuit.
After the credits roll, a post-credits tag titled “Where The Hell Are They Now?” reveals glimpses of what happens to Dawson and Martina, Slab, Barbara, Nurse Kervorkian, Mr. Buchanan, Resusci-Annie, Boner and his doctor (who is transgender), Mr. Hasselhof, Hagitha, Doughy, the Killer, and the movie crew, and suggests that the high school has a new, improved killer.
Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Screw Frombehind's death at home” to “End credits tag hints at a new killer”. 13 events name a place, across 7 locations.
- 1
Screw Frombehind's death at home
The Killer attacks Screw Frombehind in her house. She is electrocuted when she crashes into a bug zapper. The killer's mask appears to melt into a Scream-like disguise as he revels in the kill.
When:Night Where:Screw's house
- 2
Dawson attends Bulimia Falls High
The next day, Dawson Deery enrolls at Bulimia Falls High School and meets a new group of friends: Boner, Slab, Barbara, and Martina. He wonders if Martina might be a lesbian, and they discuss Screw's death, trying to feel safe at school. Meanwhile, the surrounding chaos foreshadows danger beyond the classroom.
When:Morning Where:Bulimia Falls High School
- 3
Hagitha Utslay and Doughy arrive; cameraman killed
At the school, they encounter Hagitha Utslay, a flashy reporter who accuses Dawson of being the killer. Barbara's brother Doughy, a bumbling security guard, dismisses Screw's death as a prank. The tension escalates when Hagitha's cameraman is murdered, signaling the danger surrounding them.
When:Day Where:Bulimia Falls High School
- 4
Killer sends letters and secrets revealed
As the day continues, the killer's plan expands beyond the school: an anthrax bomb is being built and an assassination attempt on the president is hinted elsewhere. The killer also sends letters to each group member revealing secrets from their past. The revelations confront them with guilt tied to a deer-driving incident and other misdeeds, deepening the sense that danger lurks everywhere.
When:Day Where:Bulimia Falls High School
- 5
Dawson's deer backstory and hillbilly death
Dawson receives a letter admitting he was the deer knocked down by the others, wearing a forced costume and salt lick. The hillbilly who coerced him dies in an explosion caused by farting in a fireplace. The bizarre backstory ties into the killer's obsession with exposing secrets.
When:Day Where:Hillbilly's place
- 6
Group decides to stay the night at Slab's house
With danger escalating, the group decides to spend the night in a secluded house and plans to head to Slab's after school. They travel there as the day edges toward evening, hoping to outlast the killer. The plan shifts the tension from school corridors to a remote residence.
When:Evening Where:Slab's house
- 7
Principal Interest confrontation; bathtub incident
Inside Slab's house, the danger continues as the killer corners the friends. In a bizarre turn, Principal Interest confronts the killer and electrocutes himself in a bathtub, ending that encounter unexpectedly. The house becomes a battlefield where fear overrides reason.
When:Night Where:Slab's house (bathroom)
- 8
Boner's party misfortune
Later that night, Boner brings a girl to a bedroom, attempting to lose his virginity, but the killer interrupts. Boner suffers a heart attack during the confrontation. The surrounding chaos leaves the remaining friends scrambling to survive.
When:Night Where:Slab's house
- 9
Barbara's bee sting scare and Slab's explosion
Barbara is chased outside by the killer but is saved when an allergic reaction to bee stings complicates the chase. Meanwhile, Slab's steroid abuse triggers a dramatic head explosion, shocking the partygoers. The body count and shock value escalate further.
When:Night Where:Slab's house
- 10
Chase and flirtation amid chaos
Martina and Dawson flee from the killer, while Hagitha and Doughy flirt and play strip poker nearby instead of helping. The chase continues as the night wears on and tensions reach a peak.
When:Night Where:Slab's house
Show the other 3 events of Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth Hide the last 3 events
- 11
The killer is defeated; Hardy revealed
Martina, Dawson, and Doughy eventually confront and defeat the killer. The killer is revealed as Hardy, Doughy's 'evil twin cousin,' and Hagitha accidentally shoots him. The trio breathes a sigh of relief as the danger appears to subside.
When:Night Where:Slab's house
- 12
Boner survives and killer calls again
Outside Slab's house, Boner is found alive thanks to taking an entire bottle of Viagra, which keeps his blood pumping after his heart attack. A final call from the killer arrives, but Dawson hangs up and decides to follow the others to safety. The immediate danger subsides for now, but the threat lingers.
When:Night Where:Outside Slab's house
- 13
End credits tag hints at a new killer
After the credits, a 'Where The Hell Are They Now?' tag reveals the fates of several characters and hints at a new killer reshaping the school’s future.
When:Post-credits Where:End credits
Who Are the Main Characters in Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth?
11 characters, among them Screw Frombehind (Aimee Graham), Dawson Deery and Slab (Simon Rex): who each one is and the part they play in the story. 10 of them link to the actor’s page.
- SF
Screw Frombehind (Aimee Graham)
Played by Aimee Graham
A teen whose assault at home triggers the film's horrific chain of events. Her accidental electrocution by a bug zapper marks the killer's disturbing presence and sets the tone for the campus-wide fear that follows.
- 💀 Victim
- DD
Dawson Deery
The new student who joins the core friend group, forming a cautious bond with Barbara, Martina, Boner and Slab. He carries a mysterious past involving a deer-costume prank and a past incident that led to him being run over, which complicates his standing with the others.
- 🧩 Outsider
-
Slab (Simon Rex)
Played by Simon Rex
A loud, steroid-using member of the group whose erratic behavior culminates in a shocking accident: his head explodes at a party. He embodies reckless bravado that accelerates the film's chaotic humor.
- 💥 Explosion
-
Barbara (Julie Benz)
Played by Julie Benz
Part of the core group who navigates the murders and the escalating paranoia. She survives the day after an allergic reaction to bee stings interrupts the killer's plan.
- 🩺 Survivor
- M(
Martina (Majandra Delfino)
Played by Majandra Delfino
A confident, flirtatious member who engages with Dawson and uses social dynamics to navigate danger. She is a central presence amid the group's investigations and escapes.
- 💃 Drama
- B(
Boner (Danny Strong)
Played by Danny Strong
The group clown who pursues sexual adventures, then suffers a heart attack during the killer's assault. He survives by virtue of an absurd twist involving a bottle of Viagra that keeps his blood pumping.
- 🩺 Survivor
-
Doughy (Tom Arnold)
Played by Tom Arnold
The inept mall security guard who flirts with Hagitha. He underplays the danger, and his cousin's killer is revealed later as Hardy.
- 🤝 Ally
- HU
Hagitha Utslay (Tiffani Thiessen)
Played by Tiffani Thiessen
A sensationalist reporter who covers the murders and manipulates the group's actions. She shoots the killer, revealing herstrokes of accidental heroism and chases away the criminals.
- 📰 News
- TK
The Killer (Chris Palermo)
Played by Chris Palermo
An elusive murderer targeting students, later revealed to be Hardy, Doughy's evil-twin cousin. The reveal shifts the group from suspect to bystander in the killer's escalating spree.
- 🔪 Slasher
- P
Principal
Played by Coolio
The school principal who confronts the killer and ends up electrocuting himself in a bathtub, symbolizing the chaos encroaching onto school grounds.
- 🏫 Authority
-
Nurse Kervorkian (Shirley Jones)
Played by Shirley Jones
A recurring hospital figure who interacts with the students and adds to the chaotic environment of the campus murders.
- 🏥 Caretaker
Where and When Is Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth Set?
Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth is set in Bulimia Falls High School and Slab's House. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Bulimia Falls High School, Slab's House
The story unfolds primarily at Bulimia Falls High School, a setting of teen social dynamics and escalating danger. The late-night gathering at Slab's house becomes a focal point for the final confrontations. The juxtaposition of ordinary high school life with outrageous murders creates a satirical, chaotic backdrop.
- 🏫 High School
- 🔎 Mystery
- 😂 Comedy
What Are the Themes of Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth?
4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Parody, Secrets and Media Satire.
-
01
Parody
Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth is a spoof of classic slasher movies, using deliberately over-the-top setups and running gags. The killer's escalating spree is treated with tongue-in-cheek bravado rather than genuine fear. The film critiques genre conventions by turning familiar slasher tropes into absurd scenarios. The quick shifts between teen comedy and murder mystery create a chaotic, self-aware tone.
-
02
Secrets
The killer exploits secrets from the group's past, forcing each member to confront embarrassing or criminal acts they committed. Letters reveal concealed truths about drunk-driving, cover-ups, and personal guilt, heightening paranoia. The revelation of these secrets rewrites how the characters are perceived by their peers and themselves. The paranoia fuels the murders and the characters' attempts to protect one another.
-
03
Media Satire
Hagitha Utslay represents sensationalist media covering the murders, blurring lines between reporting and entertainment. Her pop-up book about the killings and pursuit of ratings mirror real-world media sensationalism. The film mocks how news cycles carve out celebrity reputations from tragedy. The sensationalist coverage influences the teens' behavior and the investigation's direction.
-
04
Chaos & Trust
A tight-knit friend group is pushed to trust or betray one another as dangerous events unfold. Misunderstandings and hidden histories complicate loyalty, while the party at Slab's house becomes a crucible for survival. The characters' attempts to protect themselves uncover how quickly trust dissolves under pressure. In the end, cooperation among the survivors overrides individual impulses.
What Kind of Film Is Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth?
Light in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Mixed
A rapid-fire, absurdly violent parody of teen slasher films that delivers non-stop slapstick gags, meta-commentary, and cartoonish chaos with a consistently light and silly tone.
- absurd
- campy
- slapstick
- irreverent
- zany
- silly
- slasher parody
- teen comedy
- meta humor
- absurd violence
Content notes: slasher violence, animal death.
Quiz
How well do you remember Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth? Test yourself on the story.
Where to Watch Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth
Stream it on MovieSphere+ and Plex, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Fandango At Home. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
