Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong
The final instalment of Director David Gordon Green’s Halloween Trilogy has arrived and with it marks the end of the Micheal Myers and Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) Saga.
Halloween Ends picks up four years after the gruesome murder spree of Kills. Laurie still lives in Haddonfield with her Granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak). But instead of constantly preparing for evil, she’s decided to build a life of happiness and love. Leading with her heart, she introduces Allyson to Corey (Rohan Campbell). Three years prior, Corey accidentally killed a young boy he was babysitting on Halloween night. Since, the town has turned on him. Soon, Allyson falls in love with him. However, Laurie starts seeing evil in Corey’s eyes, the same evil she saw in Micheal’s. When Halloween Night arrives, Micheal returns and Laurie realizes she has two evils to fight.
Many have speculated about how this Trilogy would end. Especially since Curtis has stated it will be the last one she does. However, Green and his fellow Co-Writers have written around theories. The entire First Act focuses heavily on Corey. Even as his world entwines with Laurie and Allyson, it feels like Corey’s movie. We watch as Corey is repeatedly beaten or tormented by local teenagers, who’ve coined him the ‘psycho’. It’s impressive character development and the Writers should be praised for the leve of depth here. This character development for someone we’ve never seen before is strange at first, but it does lead us to The Shape.
Corey’s chance encounter with Micheal, who lets him live, leads him down a dark path. He becomes Micheal’s disciple, asking him to show him how to kill and they even tag team a murder together. Campbell is a force on the screen. He has the ability to make the audience hope that Corey can be redeemed. Making us empathize with and fear him. By focusing on Corey, it feels like the Filmmakers are interested in questioning what makes someone kill. Is a nature, nurture or both?
Those whom Corey sets out to kill have hurt him in some way. This is where his murders diverge from Micheal’s. These murders are inventive and gory. Each murder scene is the mix of gruesome and entertaining this Trilogy has become known for. Particularly a scene in a scrap yard/mechanic shop where Corey gets revenge on those local teens. Giving a lot of time to Corey, and this upcoming Serial Killer storyline makes for a fresh and fun Halloween entry.
However, loyal fans of the Micheal and Laurie saga may be disappointed. In Kills, there wasn’t enough Laurie, in Ends, there isn’t enough Micheal. Yet, when the Third Act arrives, it brings these two back together for an epic showdown many will find cathartic. Although their time on screen together comes down to this one moment, it comes with a huge payoff. The sequence is laced with tension and moments that will have you cheering and squealing.
Curtis is captivating throughout. She shines as a woman trying to live a mundane, happy life. She stuns in being the protective Grandmother, attempting to keep Corey away from Allyson. And she’s formidable as a woman who’s finally had enough of evil and is going to put it to bed once and for all.
Universal Pictures Canada releases HALLOWEEN ENDS in theatres Friday, October 14, 2022.
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