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Directed by David Gordon Green and starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Antti Matichak, Halloween ends Closes out the modern trilogy with a twist on the long-running franchise.
When audiences first saw it in 1978 Halloween And Michael Myers in all his glory, I bet he wasn’t thinking that this movie would still be adapted into a series 44 years later. During that time, we get to watch the journey of Jamie Lee Curtis’ Laurie Strode as she experiences the trauma of that terrifying Halloween night that changes her life forever. And while this series of horror movies took many odd twists and turns (and went completely off the rails more than once), Michael Myers has solidified himself as one of the most formidable and classic killers in horror movie history. Halloween ends David Gordon Green isn’t the only one wrapping up the trilogy he launched in 2018 HalloweenThis brings the story that began back in the original 1978 film to an effective closure. Or do?
Set four years after the brutal events Halloween KillsThe film begins with Laurie Strode, who is now living peacefully with her granddaughter Alison (Auntie Matichak). Despite her daughter being unexpectedly killed by Michael Myers in the last film, Laurie is determined not to let the trauma of her past rule her life and make her live in fear like in the previous films. Although Laurie and Allison try to move on, the townspeople of Haddonfield certainly haven’t forgotten and are beginning to turn against each other. When Laurie sees a young man named Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell) who is being bullied for his dark past, she decides to help him and introduces him to her granddaughter.
Allison is immediately intrigued by Corey and the two begin hanging out and realize they may have more in common than they initially thought. But, as Corey is haunted by his past and repeatedly reminded of what he’s done (as you’ll find out in the film’s opening scene), you begin to feel that his motives aren’t so pure. When Corey stumbles upon a very broken and vulnerable Michael Myers in a sewer tunnel, he sees an opportunity to learn from this legend and use his legacy to exact revenge on the town that pushed him aside. As Corey forms this uneasy alliance with Michael, Laurie Strode has the familiar and unsettling feeling that Corey is headed down an unforgivable path.
While the film advertises the final fight between Laurie and Michael to longtime fans, it focuses more on the idea of trauma and how it affects people, even entire towns, in ways that are more violent than others. The concept of a tragic character like Cory is just as sad as what many people in today’s society are going through. He technically did something terrible, an accident, but it’s impossible for those involved to think of him as someone who ruined their lives. As Corey tries and fails to live as normal a life as possible, his unresolved pain and anger become more akin to Michael Myers’ offspring. I honestly didn’t expect this film to tackle such a serious issue while still managing to deliver the familiar Michael Myers kills that fans have come to expect.
The fight between Laurie and Michael is shorter than expected. It’s an emotional and brutal fight between these longtime foes that ends in a predictable, but somewhat satisfying way. However, throughout this trilogy of new films, Michael Myers has been portrayed as a borderline Terminator, a little too much to acknowledge this final confrontation. In a way, the filmmakers want you to think that the Laurie vs. Michael battle is what the movie is about, but it’s really about the damaging, lasting effects of deep trauma and how hard it is to let go of the past. Jamie Lee Curtis gives another great performance as Laurie Strode, making the character’s journey into the 2018 film and beyond an authentically enjoyable one.
The Halloween The franchise is divisive among horror fans. While some of the films are silly and odd, each of them is unique and memorable for returning viewers and newcomers alike. I still believe that the 2018 movie is the best of this new trilogy, Halloween ends Brings something unexpected and fulfilling to the table after last year’s boring mediocre film. Michael Myers’ story may be over now, but his impact on the horror film genre and pop culture in general will live on forever.
Halloween ends Now playing in theaters and available to stream on Peacock’s paid tiers. Watch the official trailer here.
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