Review: ‘Halloween Ends’ waves a dark and bloody goodbye

It’s been nearly 45 years since “The Shape” stepped out of the shadows onto a quiet street in Haddonfield, Ill., haunting theme music pulsing in the background. It’s since killed countless teenagers, unsuspecting adults and its earnest doctor, all the while hunting the one that got away — Laurie Strode. Almost no one else can say they’ve survived an unstoppable boogeyman as many times as her, first harnessing the primal urge to live then honing her own killer instinct to bring the fight to it. But it’s finally time to put the story to rest — one way or another — in Halloween Ends.

After the events of Halloween Kills, Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis) found the strength to leave her fortress and rejoin the world. She and Allyson (Andi Matichak) live in a house in a quiet neighbourhood and there’s been no sign of Michael Myers (James Jude Courtney) for four years. Halloween is still a tumultuous night in the otherwise sleepy town, gaining a new macabre celebrity by the name of Corey (Rohan Campbell), whose unfortunate reputation hangs like a dark cloud over his head. As the two younger outcasts find solace in their shared infamy, Laurie can’t shake the feeling that there’s been a shift in the balance and evil has returned to Haddonfield.

Curtis began her feature film career with Halloween in 1978 and while it may not be her last appearance on screen, it was time to end the Laurie Strode saga. But the actress’ teary acknowledgment of the fans at a New York Comic Con panel dedicated to her work in the franchise was a heartfelt indication of how much Laurie has meant to her. She talked about how director John Carpenter told her Laurie needed to be vulnerable in the first picture. It was only later she realized he didn’t mean weak, but that the audience needed to want to protect her — a sentiment expressed by viewers shouting at the screen, warning her not to go into the house occupied by Michael. Of course, Laurie’s character has evolved significantly since then as have the audience’s chants, which now recognize her strength and encourage her to kill the monster that still stalks her.

The final chapter in writer-director David Gordon Green’s Halloween trilogy is a commentary on evil. It explores the difference between internal and external malevolence, and follows several characters as they flirt with the idea of doing wrong and causing harm. It’s not as concrete of a theme as the two earlier movies, which felt more confident in their theses. Consequently, this lesser grasp of the narrative’s direction leads to a few misplaced clichés and consequent laughs, as well as some difficulty engaging with the characters other than Laurie, particularly as the movie progresses. On the other hand, the throwbacks and homages to the films that came before will undoubtedly get nods of approval from franchise fans.

The series has evolved — for better or for worse — so the murders are no longer a main attraction, with many occurring off-screen and bodies not even being shown for effect. It’s weird to say that the lack creative kills was somewhat disappointing, but it’s also an expected element of the slasher film — hence the genre title. That said, the deaths that do rise to the occasion do so in gory style, as one even mimics possibly the most memorable kill from the first picture.

Curtis saw the role of Laurie Strode as an acting challenge since she had very little in common with the book smart, strait-laced teen, quipping that at the time she was 21, promiscuous and barely graduated from high school. But she made the audience care and that’s what’s kept everyone coming back for so many years. It’s difficult to say goodbye to one of the original scream queens and final girls, but Laurie Strode goes out with a bang, never a whimper (sic).

Director: David Gordon Green
Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak and Rohan Campbell