“Halloween Ends”You can find it here.
And while the critical response has been remarkably indifferent (currently holding a cool 45 on Metacritic), it is looking like another box office juggernaut as well as a streaming powerhouse (it’s debuting simultaneously on Peacock). Plus, it’s Halloween and there’s a new “Halloween” movie – one that promises a conclusion to the trilogy that started in 2018 and, to a larger degree, the saga that began with John Carpenter’s original masterpiece in 1978. At this point, you’ve kind of got to watch it.
This time around, we have jumped ahead four years since the blood-soaked events of 2021’s “Halloween Kills”This actually happened in 2018, for those who are paying attention. Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is living in a new home with her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) and trying to move on from her life, even though she’s still living in Haddonfield (was retiring in Palm Springs not an option?). Laurie is currently working on her memoirs, and spending time with her granddaughter, Allyson (Andi Matichak). “Kills” takes place. And wouldn’t you know it, on Halloween, Michael crawls his way back – both literally and psychologically – beginning a new reign of terror on the small midwestern town. It gets bloody, spoiler alert.
But how can you do that? “Halloween Ends,”End? Keep reading to find out more.
Warning: Major spoiler alert “Halloween Ends.” Do not read if you haven’t seen it (or are a complete sicko that is comfortable with having the movie totally ruined for you)!
The big question is: Does evil really die tonight?
The mantra repeated incessantly was the subject of much discussion. “Halloween Kills:” evil dies tonight. As Michael’s bloody murder spree whips the town of Haddonfield into a frenzy, the town becomes consumed with its own hatred – embarking on a misplaced quest to bring Michael down. (Obviously, it doesn’t work.) However, it does work. “Halloween Ends”Now, is evil going to die tonight? Is Michael Myers really able to eat it? Yes, it is.
Maybe a bigger question: does Laurie Strode survive?
The lead up to “Halloween Kills,”Laurie Strode is often cited as the final (and first) girl. Carol J. Clover, an academic, coined the phrase in 1992’s book. “Men, Women, and Chain Saws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film.” It refers to the final survivor of most horror movies – usually a female – who makes it out alive thanks to her pluck and her inherent virtuousness, oftentimes abstaining from the bad behavior that gets her friends in trouble (and murdered). Laurie Strode. She has survived time and again. (Even though the new) “Halloween” trilogy ignores the events and mythology of the previous sequels, she has died once before, in 2002’s regrettable “Halloween: Resurrection.”) Does she kick the bucket in “Halloween Ends?” Thankfully, no!
How does Michael Myers die?
(Deep breath) Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell), a kid with a troubled past also connected to Halloween night who is now Allyson’s boyfriend, spends much of “Halloween Ends”He struggles with his darkness and gives in to it all the time. He becomes Michael’s protégé of sorts, committing a series of killings that could easily be pinned on the homicidal maniac. Toward the end of the movie, he comes for Allyson’s mom. He’s going to do what Michael never could and take down Laurie Strode. She incapacitates him and instead of living with his failure, he kills himself … seemingly in an effort to frame Laurie for his death (in Allyson’s eyes?) A side note: While “Halloween Ends” is very good – it feels almost instantly underrated – it doesn’t make the most sense. Anyway, Corey isn’t the only one in Laurie’s house as, wouldn’t you know it, The Shape attacks too. A confrontation was teased in the very first marketing materials. “Halloween Ends,”Laurie holds Michael down on the kitchen islands, effectively crucifying him. She then slashes his wrists and neck, as he’s done to countless canoodling teenagers since 1978. Evil is finally defeated.
Is the town able to resolve its problems?
Actually, yes. With the deputy sheriff’s (Will Patton) blessing, Laurie and Allyson tie Michael to the top of their car and drive his body to the local junkyard. They are followed closely by their town, which includes a woman from “Halloween Kills”He was not dead as he was believed, but he was terribly scarred. Instead of the bloodlust-fueled mob “Halloween Kills,”This is a solemn procession. It is a march for the dead. Laurie climbs up a massive machine that chews up metal as they reach the junkyard. (This machine was shown earlier in the movie; it’s Chekhov’s giant machine that is used to chew up metal.) He is thrown into the machine, and the machine splits in perfect, gooey fashion. This is an amazing moment, and it’s a great end to the recent trilogy. Also, unlike Laurie’s trap in 2018’s “Halloween”Or the attack on him at his end “Halloween Kills,” this definitively ends Michael Myers’ story. Goodnight, sweet prince.
Could there be more franchisees?
Curtis and David Gordon Green, co-writer/director, both stated that they have no plans to continue with the franchise. “Halloween Ends,”The movie leaves the door open 3 inches (to quote another popular franchise). Allyson leaves town. Despite the fact that her family has been brutally murdered, she still has the opportunity to start again. The franchise is no different. It’s easy to imagine additional installments that follow Allyson as she attempts to get over the past, while being confronted with the very same horror that has defined so much of her life. But hey, that’s just us. (We can have a treatment ready by Monday.
Any other questions?
It’s not much. Only that! “Halloween” saga has finally ended … for now. It was a scream!
