On Halloween night in 1978, Michael Myers terrorized the town of Haddonfield. Forty years later, he returned and Laurie Strode was out for revenge. After a year long delay the story continues as the citizens of Haddonfield come together to fight this boogeyman.

Halloween Kills follows straight on from Halloween (2018). Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) has burned down her house with Michael in it and believes she has killed him. However, Michael emerges from the the blazing fire to come back stronger than ever. With Laurie in the hospital and Michael taking to the streets it is up to the citizens of Haddonfield to come together as a community and make sure that evil dies on Halloween Night.

The 2018 movie was all about trauma and how the events of Halloween (1978) affected Laurie Strode’s life, relationships and mental health. In Halloween Kills however Laurie is less present as the central focus of this movie is Haddonfield. This begs the question, How could Michael’s actions affect a whole town? Laurie Strode was not the only person who encountered Michael Myers in 1978. This movie sees the return of some familiar faces from the original movie.

Nancy Stephens reprises her role as Marion Chambers, a nurse who worked with Dr. Loomis. Kyle Richards of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fame reprises her role of Lindsey Wallace, the young girl Laurie baby sat in 1978. Charles Cypher is also back as Leigh Brackett, the sheriff who’s daughter gets murdered by Michael in the original. It’s always so fun to see original cast members come in and make a cameo however this is not that. All of these original cast members are a cog in this big machine that is working towards a terrific end result.

One legacy cast member who has everyone talking is Kyle Richards. It is fair to say that Kyle Richards was stunt cast due to her reality TV fame. She will take audiences by surprise however as she gives an incredible performance. It is interesting to see her in this light because it is not a glamorous role in any sense but she brought Lindsey back in the best way.

Another child Laurie babysat in 1978 was Tommy Doyle. Anthony Michael Hall joins the franchise taking over the role from Brain Andrews in the original. As Laurie lies in her hospital bed, he takes over and leads the charge against Michael chanting, “Evil dies tonight”. He brings Tommy back in the best way as well and is one of the MVPs of this movie. His performance was intense and really indicative of a trauma victim who seeks revenge on their oppressor.

The other MVP of this movie is Judy Greer who plays Karen a.k.a Laurie’s daughter. She goes head to head with not only Michael but also Tommy and her daughter Allyson. Judy Greer shows off her dramatic chops portraying Karen as a woman who has lost her husband, almost lost her mother and could potentially lose her daughter. In that case, one would either fight or flight and Karen lives up to her name and truly fights. Greer has thrown herself into this role and her hard work has payed off.

There are many parallels between Laurie Strode in 1978 and her granddaughter Allyson Nelson in 2018. Unlike her mother and grandmother Michael Myers has not been this constant presence or fear that has run her life. Her first encounter with Michael came in Halloween (2018), she’s 17 the same age her grandmother was in 1978. Laurie and Allyson both faced Michael head on and the relationship between the three Strode women is a classic case of generational trauma. The Strode women are sticking together and are not backing down.

The cinematography in this film is spectacular. When we find out more information about Halloween night in 1978, the footage appears grainy and of the same screen quality and ratio as presented in the original film. The broody and serious scenes appear dark signifying this movie is darker than the last and the more Michael rages the darker this situation gets. This film is bloodier and gorier than the last movie and it is a thrill ride from start to finish.

David Gordon Green has truly revived this franchise and brought it back to life. John Carpenter has passed the torch onto David Gordon Green and although the finish line is a year away he is going to keep the torch ablaze until the very end. The screenwriting appears quite cheesy or cliche at times specifically a scene at the Myers’ house, that could almost be taken out of the movie. However for the majority of the movie, the delivery and dialogue is as intense and threatening as expected.

Overall, Halloween fans will adore this new installment of the franchise. This movie will enrage you and open your eyes to themes you wouldn’t expect in a slasher movie. Halloween Ends is a year away but the boogeyman still rages on and Laurie will finally get her comeuppance.

Rating: 4/5

Halloween Kills is in theaters now and available to stream exclusively on Peacock.