Halloween Ends will premiere on October 14 of this year, seemingly closing the ongoing story of two of horror cinema's greatest icons: Michael Myers and Laurie Strode.
Last year, the prequel, Halloween Kills, came out to mixed reviews from critics and audiences. While flawed, the film has several strengths, including the cast led by Jamie Lee Curtis and Judy Greer. Halloween Kills also had a script full of memorable quotes, many of which stayed with the audience long after the credits rolled, cementing the franchise as one of the most influential in horror history.
"Evil Dies Tonight."
Spoken By Multiple Characters
Also serving as the film's tagline, "Evil dies tonight" is the perfect way to summarize the themes of Halloween Kills. For years, the town of Haddonfield has been haunted by the memory of Michael Myers, a seemingly invincible creature made out of pure evil.
Upon his return, Laurie and many others declare it's time to stand up against the so-called Boogeyman. If fire and bullets can't kill him, something else will. Many characters utter the line throughout the film, reinforcing the film's main ideas. Ironically, by referring to him as "evil" instead of "Michael," Halloween Kills confirms the infamous killer's seemingly supernatural quality.
"Is He Real? Who Knows? Who's Next?"
Tommy Doyle
Anthony Michael Hall is one of the most iconic film actors of the 1980s, best known for his work in films like The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles. Hall joins the Halloween franchise as a grown-up Tommy Doyle. Like Laurie, Tommy lives in constant fear of Michael Myers and leads the charge against him in Halloween Kills.
Still, Tommy can't deny he and everyone else is in the dark when it comes to Michael. No one knows what he'll do or where he'll strike next. Michael is the Shape, slithering through the night, silently stalking until it's time to kill. Michael is the ultimate predator, and Tommy Doyle knows it better than anyone.
"It's Halloween. Everyone's Entitled To One Good Scare."
Leigh Bracket To Michael Myers
Halloween is supposed to be a night of harmless fun and make-believe. Children put on costumes and beg for candy, indulging in an evening of fantasy and terror that amounts to nothing more than a few laughs and a lot of sugar. However, Halloween is deadly in Haddonfield.
Sheriff Bracket, an old-fashioned man, expresses his feelings about Halloween, the same ones he told Laurie Strode on that fateful afternoon in 1978. The quote pays homage to the original film but also provides new context to Bracket's character; like everyone else, he also carries Michael's memory with him. Indeed, everyone should be entitled to one good scare on Halloween; however, things are never that simple with Michael Myers.
"Let It Burn!"
Laurie Strode
2018's Halloween ends with Laurie setting fire to her house with Michael inside and seemingly ending his cursed life. Upon seeing a line of fire trucks heading to put down the fire, Laurie roars in rage and frustration, uselessly yelling for them to "let it burn."
Laurie's anger is understandable. She spent years preparing for Michael's return, setting up the perfect trap to cage the world's most dangerous predator. Seeing her work amount to nothing must've been heartbreaking, but the knowledge that Michael would live was even more disturbing.
"We Got A Goddamn Massacre On Our Hands."
Sheriff Barker To His Fellow Officers
The word "massacre" is the perfect way to describe any scene Michael Myers leaves behind. For more than 40 years, the character has been killing countless victims on his way to fulfill a purpose that never seems entirely clear to anyone but himself.
Perhaps Michael won't stop until he's killed everyone in Haddonfield. Killing Laurie might not be enough; indeed, once he succeeds, he would keep walking, finding a new town to haunt and a babysitter to traumatize. And a new sheriff will encounter a new massacre, wondering who this Shape is, what he wants, and most importantly, whether he'll ever stop.
"People Are Afraid. That Is The True Curse Of Michael."
Laurie Strode To Frank Hawkins
Laurie Strode is the final girl by excellence. One of horror's most enduring characters in the 20th century, Laurie returned, played once again by Jamie Lee Curtis, to cement herself as one of the best scream queens of the 21st century.
Even though Laurie gets somewhat sidelined in Halloween Kills, Curtis' presence is so overwhelming that Laurie still dominates the story. The film features her gaining new clarity upon learning Michael survived the fire. Laurie also realizes that Michael's curse goes beyond his kills; the fear he injects into people's hearts makes him so powerful. Haddonfield is always at his mercy, even when he isn't there to actually wield his knife.
"Tonight, We Hunt Him Down."
Allyson Nelson To Karen Nelson
Every slasher film needs a strong female character, and Halloween Kills has multiple. Laurie's granddaughter, Allyson, is a worthy successor to Curtis' scream queen crown. She becomes hardened by the previous film's events and joins the haunt for the Shape, realizing that killing Michael is the only way she and her family will successfully move on.
Allyson's determination is a welcome change in her character. However, Michael can't be killed, at least not by anyone that isn't Laurie Strode. Allyson's efforts echo the town's sentiments; everyone wants to be rid of Michael, a monster that's been haunting for more than forty years. If only it were that easy.
"It's The Wrong Night To Be Out."
Lindsey Wallace To Nancy Stephens
Kyle Richards reprises her role as Lindsey Wallace, one of the many legacy characters returning in Halloween Kills. As one of Michael's original would-be victims, Lindsey bears the trauma from that night. However, she refuses to keep Michael's memory haunting her and decides to take matters into her own hands.
Lindsey's line would work in any slasher film. It's the basic idea behind these horror stories; evil killers stalk defenseless victims at night, especially on Halloween. However, Halloween Kills features the characters determined to put an end to Michael once and for all, making that night a now-or-never situation.
"He Won't Stop Killing Until We Stop Him."
Karen Nelson
The underrated Judy Greer takes center stage one last time in Halloween Kills. As Laurie's daughter, Karen, Greer joins the ranks of many strong female characters in slasher films. Karen spends most of the previous film doubting her mother's belief that Michael would one day return, discarding her fears as paranoia.
Halloween Kills sees Karen finally understanding Michael's true nature. Laurie was right; this isn't a man; he is evil personified and won't stop until he kills them or vice versa. Seeing Karen realize the true danger she's in is a welcome development, and while her understanding comes too late, it doesn't detract from her impressive characterization.
"The More He Kills, The More He Transcends Into Something Else."
Laurie Strode To Frank Hawkins
Laurie Strode is one of the all-time best final girls in horror. Determined and as unstoppable as Michael himself, Laurie will stop at nothing until she kills her Boogeyman. The memories of that fateful Halloween night in 1978 still haunt her, but they only increase her determination.
Even so, Laurie understands what she's fighting. Because Michael isn't a "who," he is a "what." "A mortal man could not have survived what he's lived through." Indeed, Michael is absolute evil; he is the Shape, the Boogeyman, the monster that lurks from the dark. Impossible to defeat, inescapable, and unstoppable, Michael Myers is arguably horror's best and most enduring villain.