Film Review: "Halloween Ends"


John Carpenter's classic  1978 film Halloween is a staple of the horror genre. Starting with the 2018 sequel, Halloween, the series retconned the sequels that initially took place after the original.  Wiping the slate clean sets a high bar for Halloween Ends, making the finished results frustrating. Four years after Halloween Kills Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is living with her granddaughter Allyson ( Andi Matichak). A new threat arises forcing Laurie to face her greatest fear, Michael Myers. Advertising the promise of an “epic conclusion” will leave many disappointed with the results. 

Halloween Ends closes the franchise with a whimper when there was hope to finish with a bang. The film's problems reside in the screenplay written by Paul Brad Logan, Chris Bernier, Danny McBride, and David Gordon Green.  An hour is spent setting up a new character played by Rohan Campbell. His character. Corey Cunningham mistakenly commits a heinous crime, turning Haddonfield against him. Playing a victim of circumstance, Campbell’s character never gains the sympathy he deserves. This leads to Michael Myers becoming involved and having his last face-off with Laurie. 

The screenplay suffers a tonal imbalance between both drama and horror. An uninteresting drama film encompasses the first hour spent with Corey and his interactions with Laurie and Allyson. The first half is something unexpected, and not in a good way. There is a melodramatic sensation that treats Myers like an afterthought.  Halloween Ends spark ignites once Myers becomes a larger character throughout the story.

Myers's wrath being unleashed in Haddonfield gives the story needed and unpredictable energy. Every kill is as brutal and relentless as fans would hope while keeping viewers on edge. Closing Laurie’s story leaves room for Jaime Lee Curtis to deliver dramatic performance and the fun and success of the film rests on her shoulders. She is sincere, and stern, and evolved from the character of that original 1978 film. Once she crosses paths with Michael, the final confrontation is thrilling but also poignant with its closure. 

Statements about the world today are attempted to be made throughout the film. Most statements come through the Corey character. Society has survived recent tragedies involving acts of gun violence. These acts occurring mostly through Myers in the film,  do not treat Cameron like a real person, making him unsympathetic.  This Halloween story has no intelligence like the original, and 2018 film. Curtis is giving it her all, which makes the film at least engaging enough for a one-time watch. 

Halloween Ends had the potential to deliver something extraordinary for fans of the horror genre. The icon of Michael Myers has not been tarnished, thanks to a powerhouse performance from Jaime Lee Curtis. Watching her have one last showdown is tense, but not as intense as it could be. Going out with a whimper makes the early effective violence seem unneeded in hindsight. If the filmmakers wanted this to be an "epic conclusion," the finale should not feel abrupt. Streaming on Peacock and in theaters is a perfect case for Halloween Ends because there is a n option to watch from your own home. There is no reason to rush out to the multiplexes for this one.


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