Director: David Gordon Green
Writer: John Carpenter, Debra Hill, Paul Brad Logan, and Others
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichuk, Will Patton, and Rohan Campbell
2018 marked the 40th year since Haddonfield, Illinois was introduced to its very own Boogeyman. It was also the year that said boogeyman, escaped from prison and went on a murderous spree resulting in his disappearance. Four years may have passed but Laurie Strode has been battling this demon most of her life, she knows it’s just a matter of time before evil rises again. This time will be different though, this time will be Laurie’s last battle. This time she will conquer Michael Myers or die trying.
At long last, we have reached the last film of this anxiously awaited trilogy. Halloween Ends is the ultimate curtain call for Michael Myers and the people of Haddonfield. This final film will put to rest over forty years of mayhem. The first two installments of this reawakened franchise, covered one murderous day, culminating with the mysterious disappearance of an injured but clearly not dead Michael Myers. This third film takes place four Halloweens later. At this time Haddonfield has barely moved on and in fact, has experienced even more tragedy since the disappearance. The people of the town have become a cantankerous mob, ostracizing anyone who they deem an agitator or they feel may bring back the boogeyman. The film begins with the accidental death of a bratty little boy that turns the town against a promising young engineer. Their ridicule and mockery fan the flames of the homicidal murderer within him. The spark of bloodlust turns into an inferno when the ridiculed young man befriends evil incarnate, Mr. Michael Myers himself. As luck would have it, Laurie introduces the young man to her newly single granddaughter only to regret it as she witnesses the change in him. The granddaughter is instantly smitten with the town weirdo and chaos ensues. While this may sound like the world’s weirdest romcom we assure you this plot point is integral in getting to the final showdown. The unfortunate story of Cory, the young engineer, serves as an origin tale of sorts showcasing how evil will continue to thrive so long as it has a well-fed host. The ostracism and ridicule of the townspeople feed into the rage and guilt creating a monster in Cory he didn’t even know existed. Though an interesting glimpse at how tragedy infects a small town killing it from the inside, this isn’t about some engineer we just met. It’s about the final epic showdown between Laurie and Michael.
As expected Laurie has to be the one to end him and end him she does in a less than spectacular but somehow still satisfying way. Despite all the pain he caused, Meyers is even given a funeral procession by the town, with Laurie leading the way. To ensure he is finally dead this time, Meyers is sent to hell in the one way there can be no return. We would love to tell you just how gruesomely the town sealed his fate but that would spoil the fun. Over the years the man had been shot, stabbed, bludgeoned, and set on fire several times to no avail. Even in his advanced age with no resources, he managed to survive four years underground with no explanation. In fact, no one even asked where he’d been. The town and its people were clearly sick of this shit and ready for it to be over. When the time came to put an end to the madness the town rallied together and without a moment to lose they took care of business. Unlike the massacre of 2018, this time was different. Emotions weren’t running high, a calm orderly procession led him to his final resting place. The only thing missing was a choir humming amazing grace. This time no one walked away from the body, assuming he was dead. Not one soul left his side until the deed was done, it is really truly over this time. Unless they try a reboot, then well, it will have to start from the beginning, the Michael Meyers we know is dead and gone.