Halloween Ends (2022)
Director: David Gordon Green
Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Rohan Campbell, Andi Matichak, Kyle Richards
Primary genre: Slasher
In what must have been one of the biggest copouts in cinematic history, a stain on a franchise that has several lows and very few highs, “Halloween Ends” is a mindboggling conclusion to David Gordon Green’s ill conceived slasher trilogy. This so called fan of Michael Myers has literally downplay The Shape’s characterization so badly that contradicts his own established mythos in the 2018 and 2021 films.
Taking place after the historically OTT bloodbath in “Kills”, Michael has all but disappeared (how he still is alive is anyone guess at this point) and Gordon along with his three screenwriters are trying to make a Halloween installment by … eliminating Michael from the equation. It is a bold choice for sure one followed by baffling choices, idiotic twists and U-turns in key decisions that will leave even the most hardcore fans exasperated. Introducing a new character in the face of Corey and his bullying interactions with the people of Haddonfield is not necessary a terrible idea. Yet Green’s execution lacks real pathos; he is more invested to reach the finishing line quickly while sprinkling few meaningless and lackluster killer scenes which lack both intensity and creativity.
What could have been an interesting exploration of evil as an “infectious” disease with clashing philosophies and trauma dealing ways of those affected directly by it, ends up being a blunt movie devoid of any real substance. Laurie has been converted into an idiot as the insulting portrayal in the previous two films was not enough. Curtis is doing her best but perhaps it is time finally to say goodbye to this character who has nothing to offer. The rest do not fare better either representing clear examples of different writing styles with mudded actions when the messy script calls for it. Andi Matichak is particularly a victim of this trend, her motivations and personal growth removed and getting reduced to a single woman who falls for someone whom she barely knows willing to risk it all.
“You’re just a man in a Halloween mask. What are you gonna do now?”
There are a few bright spots though but far and in between; Rohan Campbell brings a realistic vulnerability to a character plagued by bad luck and the film does make us root for him even when his projected relationship with Strode’s granddaughter (Andi Matichak) is something by darkness, the score still maintains a fresh 70s/80s ambient synth identity and the final confrontation albeit brief and in dire requirement to suspend disbelief, has solid stuntwork.
Yet, like everything else in the film, the last 30 minutes are an absolute pastiche of subplots that overall do not matter. Gordon Green is trying too hard to copy Rob Zombie’s style in “Halloween 2” (2009), a far superior entry that deals with similar themes more successfully. While Zombie’s brutal and bleak depiction of violence will leave you empty inside, you could at least, feel his Michael being a force of (unpredictable and) destructive nature. Yet, Gordon Green here reduces the famous horror icon to a broken man (no joke) depriving him of his own distinct cinematic identity leading to a disgraceful (what were they thinking!) 5 minute screentime.
With this aspect in mind, one might wonder whether “Halloween Ends” is worthy of its title? While it definitely ends, it will remain a sour entry supported by mediocre acting, banal sequences and execution and a real absence of artistic vision. Say what you want about Zombie’s duology; at least it had clear structure, motivations and it was impeccably staged and shot. The same cannot be said about Green’s trilogy ender which feels more like a last minute corpo-sactioned streaming addition rather than a fully fleshed legacy epilogue to one of the most endearing horror icons in human history.
Pointless cash grab
+Rohan Campbell does his best
+Score is as always the highlight
+Interesting themes
-… that go nowhere
-Sense of rush
-Banal sequences
-Mediocre acting
-Idiotic decisions
-No Michael!