Halloween Ends – A Divisive Final Chapter

Halloween Ends is a tough one to talk about story wise because everything from the marketing to its plot descriptions have been extremely secretive. It’s ultimately a film that one will want to go into as blind as possible even though the end result will inevitably be divisive. The film takes place 4 years after the events of Halloween (2018) and Halloween Kills with Laurie Strode (Curtis) attempting to move on with her life and writing a memoir while living with her granddaughter Allyson (Matichak) in Haddonfield, Illinois. However, a new character named Corey Cunningham (Campbell) takes the spotlight this time around. 

Halloween Ends is going to surprise people for the fact that it’s much more of a character drama than a slasher though the latter does pick up as the film goes on while focusing on its characters first. For a horror film it’s not particularly very scary but it does have some very creepy sequences and well-executed jump scares. The kills take a backseat this time around and are far less effective than they have been in the past but there are still some very memorable ones that are sure to please the most diehard gore hounds. Meanwhile, for those expecting Michael Myers to be the main focus of this sequel similar to Halloween Kills, they may need to adjust their expectations.

What the Halloween franchise has going for it in comparison to other long-running horror franchises, is that it has the greatest scream queen of them all in Jamie Lee Curtis. Curtis is once again pitch-perfect as Laurie as she provides a different take on the character unlike audiences have seen before. Matichak has been one of the better parts of this new trilogy. While she’s not given the best storyline this time around, she makes the absolute most of her final outing. Both their arcs are concluded in a satisfying way which is something where most fans will likely agree. As great as Curtis and Matichak are, the film belongs to Campbell as Cunningham is easily the film’s most fascinating character despite an unsatisfying character arc. Though a lot of his scenes and overall storyline have been kept under wraps, he’s genuinely great as he is essentially the lead. That being said, many won’t like the character or how he ties into the plot but he’s easily one of the best parts of the film and a stand out of the new trilogy. 

The biggest problem with Halloween Ends is that the film attempts to cram in far too many ideas, resulting in a thin product that feels messy and almost like two different films that don’t mesh well. Another aspect that has plagued this entire trilogy is some very rough dialogue and forced comedic moments but the film luckily tones them down this time around. While it ends on a strong note with a mostly-satisfying climax, the final act delivers plenty of head-scratching moments. The final confrontation between Michael and Laurie is satisfying albeit a little too short and anticlimactic considering the buildup to it. 

Halloween Ends is a film that will both fascinate and frustrate viewers. One of the most polarizing films of the year, audiences will have to see for themselves to determine which side of the fence they will fall on. While it will definitely rub a large portion of audiences the wrong way, it’s hard not to admire what David Gordon Green and Co. have done with this ambitious and wild final chapter to one of the most beloved horror franchises of all time. In the end, it is a tough film to recommend but audiences should go see it and make up their own minds.

still courtesy of Universal Pictures

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Connor Carey

www.connorsmoviereviews.com/