First Appearance: Happy Death Day (2017)
Played By: Various actors behind the mask, primarily Ruby Modine and Rachel Matthews
Kill Count: Varies due to time loop — estimated 15–30+ on-screen kills (across timelines)
Happy Death Day (2017)
The Babyface Killer made their debut in 2017’s Happy Death Day, a slasher with a twist of Groundhog Day. The story follows college student Tree Gelbman, who is murdered on her birthday — only to wake up and relive the same day over and over. Each loop ends with her brutal death at the hands of a masked killer wearing a cherubic baby mask — the mascot of the fictional Bayfield University.
What makes this killer different is the narrative device: the killer doesn’t just strike once — they do it repeatedly across timelines. The slasher attacks are sharp and sudden, ranging from stabbings to bludgeonings, and Tree’s journey becomes a mix of slasher survival and character growth.
The final act reveals that Lori Spengler, Tree’s jealous roommate, is the original Babyface Killer, driven by envy and betrayal. The mask, with its unsettling mix of innocence and menace, became instantly iconic, modernizing the masked slasher for a new generation.
Happy Death Day 2U (2019)
In the sci-fi-heavy sequel, Tree is once again trapped in a time loop — but this time in a parallel dimension. The Babyface Killer returns, but the mystery unravels further: the killer changes identity, the stakes become more personal, and the mythology of the mask deepens.
The new timeline’s Babyface Killer is Gregory Butler, a college professor, and later, his wife Stephanie takes on the persona too. While the sequel leans more into science fiction, the Babyface persona remains lethal — slashing, stabbing, and chasing through darkened labs and hospital wings.
Happy Death Day 2U expands the lore and turns the Babyface Killer into more of a symbol than a single individual — an evolving mask passed between murderers.
Merch, Mask & Popularity
The Babyface mask, designed specifically for the film by Tony Gardner (who also worked on Scream), became a horror pop culture staple. It was marketed during Halloween seasons and appeared in countless fan recreations. With its odd, cherub-like smile and smooth round features, it taps into a unique uncanny valley that sets it apart from more aggressive designs like Ghostface or Jason.
Despite the comedic tone of the films, the Babyface Killer’s kills are vicious and smartly staged — keeping it firmly rooted in horror.
League Placement
The Babyface Killer earns a place in the First Class Tier. With two films of increasingly complex mythology, a distinctive mask, and a high body count across multiverses, this killer manages to balance horror, mystery, and dark humour.