This new trilogy of Halloween films has proven to be some of the more interesting installments in the veritable horror franchise, breaking new ground and exploring themes of trauma and fear in very grounded ways. These themes continue in new and interesting ways in the concluding chapter, Halloween Ends. Already proving to be a divisive film, I was actually surprised by how much I actually liked it. This is going to be a tricky one to review without getting into some spoilers, so if you don't want to be spoiled at all consider this your warning.
On Halloween Night 2019, Corey Cunningham (played by Rohan Campbell) is babysitting a young boy, Jeremy (played by Jaxon Goldberg). When the boy dies in a tragic accident, Corey is branded a pariah by the town of Haddonfield. Three years later, Corey is living under a cloud of guilt and barely getting by working at his uncle's auto shop and junk yard. One day, he crosses paths with Laurie Strode (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) while being hassled by some local punks. She takes him to the hospital to get a cut he endured treated, introducing him to her granddaughter Allyson (played by Andi Matichak) in the process. Corey and Allyson hit it off, beginning a tentative relationship. When Corey is again jumped by the same bullies, this time beat up and pushed off a bridge, Corey finds himself face to face with Michael Myers (played by James Jude Courtney), who has been living for the four years in the sewers of Haddonfield, defeated but not dead. Michael seems to recognize something in the young man, the evil that has been part of him for so long spreads to Corey as well unleashing a new wave of terror on Haddonfield.
The film was once again directed by David Gordon Green, from a script he co-wrote with Paul Brad Logan, Chris Bernier, and Danny McBride. The film takes some large departures from the previous Halloween films and in many ways is all better for it. This film is far more interested in the impact and after effects a rampage like Michael had over the course of the last two movies can have on a community. The way that sort of evil had a ripple effect over the entire community. It delves into how a community in need of a new boogeyman after Michael's disappearance winds up creating one. Alongside this is a theme of moving on and healing from trauma, especially with Laurie and Allyson's characters. It's a bold choice that will understandably divide audiences, with some expecting yet another slaughterhouse while others are intrigued to be getting something new. The film signals this to fans right from the beginning, adopting the same font and color to the opening credits as seen in Halloween III: Season of the Witch, the last entry in the series to break free from the established formula. However, unlike that film, Michael Myers does appear in this one but much more of a broken down old man, which makes sense given all the damage he received over the past two films. Along with this, the film still manages to work in nods not only to the previous Halloween films, but other John Carpenter films as well, especially some pretty overt nods to his film Christine, with the character Corey. Still, not all the elements of the film pay off as well as I would have hoped, especially Corey's descent into darkness feeling too abrupt. The final showdown between Laurie and Michael might also leave some disappointed, but considering we already had the big, epic fight in Halloween H20, this one offers something a little different.
The cast is led by Jamie Lee Curtis, who we find in a very different place than we left her four years prior. She has been working through her trauma by writing a book about her experiences and trying to live a more open life alongside her granddaughter. Curtis goes all in too, no doubt thrilled to be able to bring new dimensions to the character, crafting a Laurie who has finally allowed herself to start healing. Andi Matichak has a similar arc as Allyson, who likewise is trying to move on with her life after the death of her parents at the hands of Michael Myers. She sees an opportunity for that with Corey. Matichak handles the role as well, someone who is trying to figure out what their future should be and perhaps feeling a bit stuck and bit lost, which would explain why she goes all in with Corey so fast. Rohan Campbell does well as Corey, creating a sympathetic performance that makes his character's descent all the more tragic. Will Patton once again turns up at Frank Hawkins as he and Laurie continue their flirtatious relationship from the past two movies, which is very endearing as both seem almost hesitant to take it further than that. Kyle Richards also turns up several times in the film as Lindsey Wallace, who goes back to the first film with Jamie Lee Curtis and it's great to see another legacy character in the film. I loved that they had a more well established friendship this time around, especially since they didn't share any screen time in the previous film. James Jude Courtney once again proves to be an intimidating figure as Michael Myers, while adding new dimensions to the character. This time around, Michael has been hiding away, healing up from the events of the previous films. He's moving slower, stumbling a bit, like not everything healed correctly (not much for medical care in the sewers of Haddonfield after all). Despite that, he still shows Michael is one to be feared and is lethal as ever, even if it's maybe a little more of a fair fight this time.
Still, Halloween Ends definitely lives up to it's title. The filmmakers took a big swing with this one making some bold narrative choices that may not quite be a home run but is still a refreshing change of pace after 12 movies that followed a very familiar pattern. This one feels very much like a concluding chapter. The final shots of the movie echo the ending of the original film, minus the mask breathing. Things are at peace, as they should be, as the survivors are finally free to move on. I doubt the Halloween series is truly at an end, as these things never do, but it sure will be interesting to see what form it takes next.
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