Halloween Ends (2022) Review

Title: Halloween Ends
Year: 2022
Director: David Gordon Green
Country: US
Language: English

Admittedly, I've never seen a Halloween movie, so starting at Halloween Ends is pretty darn strange. Best case scenario, I'm not tainted by the fandom of the original and can view this installment with fresh eyes. While I don't know much about the Franchise, I do know that the original was the best & every sequel "ruined" the canon for various reasons. For example, Rob Zombie's Halloween was bad because they tried to explain the character's backstory too much. 

Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis), after allowing the specter of Michael to determine and drive her reality for decades, has decided to liberate herself from fear and rage and embrace life. But when a young man, Corey Cunningham, is accused of killing a boy he was babysitting, it ignites a cascade of violence and terror that will force Laurie to finally confront the evil she can't control, once and for all.

If you enjoyed the Halloween series solely due to Michael Myers then you will be very disappointed. He is only around for 15 minutes of the film, has no menacing qualities, and the story really doesn't revolve around him. I have no attachment to the character, so I found this film somewhat appealing! I like that this is a somewhat philosophical film about the nature of evil. Is Corey innately evil or is a cruel society pushing him towards it? 

This could be a pretty great thriller, but it is weighed down by its Halloween-ness. Its attempt to appeal to longtime fans, which is ultimately doesn't, makes the picture less compelling. The whole film builds up to Corey's serial killer origin story, but the last act forgets about him and instead gives us Laurie vs. Michael Myers. Haven't fans of Halloween seen that confrontation before? I think a "passing of the torch" scene between Michael & Corey would have been a great use for both characters. 

Halloween Ends is a film with a lot of potential. Its journey is intriguing, but the outcome isn't very satisfying and will leave many feeling like they wasted their time. If I were a Halloween fan, I would think the franchise needs to move on & stick with a new baddie.