From the opening sequence, in which a man is dispatched in a comedically violent manner by way of a cricket bat, directors Stacey Edmonds & Doug Turner firmly establish the tone of the film. It is in no way meant to be taken seriously, and, while structured in the traditional slasher horror format, manages to provide an ample amount of laughs through an incredibly effective use of what I will call 'horror misdirection'.

What I mean by 'horror misdirection' is that the film approaches its subject matter as though it were a horror film, yet plays for laughs instead. Sequences that could just as well be played for shocks, unfold with the intention of simply amusing the audience. This is established through any means possible, from hilariously cringe-inducing violence, to some completely bizarre situations our characters get themselves into, and even a little bit of slapstick thrown in for good measure.

I don't want to give the impression that this film is a straight up comedy, however, as it could have played it as a straight horror film as well. Everything required to make a good slasher movie is on display, yet Edmonds & Turner seem to understand their material well enough to combine the two genres very effectively, crafting the most enjoyable slasher-comedy I've seen in a long time. They turn the conventions of the slasher film against themselves and laugh, with us, at the sheer ridiculousness of the events that are transpiring.

Perhaps the most successful aspect of I Know How Many Runs... is its use of sheer excess in respect to the violence, nudity, and even general technique. The violence is very over the top, primarily thanks to the killer's unconventional use use of traditional cricket gear – bats, balls, protective cups, etc... Not unlike Freddy Krueger's self-constructed glove, the killer creates his own weapons, and deals death in some very painful looking ways. The filmmakers also play with some of the characteristics of the slasher film antagonist, particularly a potential victim's sheer inability to evade their stalker, despite their moving much, much faster. These sequences are once again played for laughs, and again are very effective. The film has one sequence of nudity that is so gratuitous in its execution that it almost seems out of place... Almost. It may have been drastically inappropriate in another film, yet within the context of Runs... it is right at home, and one can't fault the film for its placement.

I am of the belief that horror and comedy are the two most difficult genres to craft effectively. They require a genuine ability from the filmmakers to create a unique reaction from their audience. I am aware that comedy is a broad element that affects people differently, but when someone laughs at something that happens onscreen, it is authentic, not unlike white knuckle squirming on the edge of our seats. A crafty filmmaker can induce tears from even the strongest audience, with little or no emotional involvement (Armageddon, anyone?). It is for this reason that I believe comedy and horror to be the most similar filmic genres, and thus the most compatible under a capable director's supervision. Stacey Edmonds and Doug Turner understand this, and understand what makes both genres effective. It is this understanding that makes I Know How Many Runs You Scored Last Summer so enjoyable.