This Halloween Kills review contains minor spoilers.
2018’s Halloween was hailed as a return to form for a series blighted by endless and confusing sequels. While it didn’t do anything particularly groundbreaking, it didn’t need to. It rebuilt the menacing mystique of Michael Myers for a new generation while honouring what made the original so special. Halloween Kills is an inessential sequel – but it only delivers more of exactly what fans of the series will want. Brutal kills, homage to the series’ lore, and edge-of-your-seat tension.
Halloween Kills Review: Plot
So, there really isn’t much about the plot of Halloween Kills that will surprise you. Although it’s blatantly obvious, the immortal Michael Myers is *SPOILER ALERT* back from the dead. That’s right, Laurie Strode’s (Jamie Lee Curtis) attempt to lock him in her basement and set it on fire at the end of Halloween didn’t work – to the surprise of nobody.
Halloween Kills picks up right where the previous movie left off. A single day has passed and Michael Myers has reemerged and begins another brutal killing spree in his attempt to bring chaos to Haddonfield. Laurie, after being attacked by Myers, is in the hospital, as is Deputy Frank Hawkins (Will Patton). It does feel a little convenient, like a good excuse to keep Laurie out of Myer’s path to save it for the eventual third (final?) film. But, seeing her more vulnerable than in the previous movie is a nice contrast. It also allows the newer characters (principally Laurie’s granddaughter, Allyson) to get more up-close and personal with Michael, which is great for building the future of the series.
With Myers once again on a killing spree, the town is worked up into a frenzy and led by survivor Tommy Doyle (Anthony Michael Hall) to hunt him down and kill him. Allyson (Andi Matichak), much to her mother’s (Judy Greer) disapproval, joins the hunt with her ex-boyfriend, Cameron (Dylan Arnold). The town-wide hunt subplot adds some consequence to Michael’s actions even if it suffers from the typical dimwittedness often seen in slasher films.
The ending suffers from some questionable character decisions that are entirely convenient but unsurprising. After all, we already know a sequel, Halloween Ends, is coming next year.
Kills over scares
I’m just going to say it – the kills in Halloween Kills are bloody brilliant. Violent, gory, and creative. Basically everything slasher fans want to see. The gore might be a bit much for some, but then why would you go and see a Halloween movie if you don’t want to see gore? All in all, it’s a violent and pretty disturbing triumph on the kills front. And let’s face it, that’s one of the only things these movies have to do well to send the audience home happy.
The kills, however, do come at the expense of scares. Now, I don’t believe that slasher films need to be out-and-out scary like more traditional horror. In fact, the simmering tension and shock factor is more important. But, Halloween Kills is basically never scary. So, if you’re going in wanting to be frightened, manage your expectations.
Self-awareness and humour
Halloween Kills knows what it is. Its creators clearly love the franchise and are having fun making it. The reintroduction of characters and survivors from the past and the flashbacks to 1978 prove that. And, thankfully, it makes it all the more fun to watch. It doesn’t feel like a cheap cash-in on an established franchise. It’s much more like a love letter.
David Gordon Green (owing to his comedy background) also injects a good dose of humour into the movie. For example, I really enjoyed the Big John/Little John characters and thought they made for excellent comedic relief.
Halloween Kills Review: Verdict
Halloween Kills is exactly what you’d expect it to be. It’s a fun, gory, tension-filled slasher flick that will leave most fans satisfied. It doesn’t really do anything new or particularly original, and that does hold it back somewhat. Similarly, the conclusion isn’t really a conclusion at all and will probably leave you scratching your head. It’s a bit of a cop-out, but one that was basically essential to set up the next film.
If you’re already a fan of the series, Halloween Kills will not disappoint. Even if you aren’t, I’d still recommend it as essential viewing this spooky season. It might do nothing new, but it does everything it needs to. And that’s all I really wanted.
Overall Rating: 7/10
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