Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Halloween Ends’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

(from left) Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Michael Myers (aka The Shape) in ‘Halloween Ends’, co-written, produced and directed by David Gordon Green. Photo: Ryan Green/Universal Studios. © 2022 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

One particular gimmick that horror fans really don’t buy into anymore, is the notion of ‘The Final Chapter’ or a true ending to a storied franchise. Simply because… horror franchises really don’t end. For someone eventually picks up the rights and opts to make a sequel, a la what’s happened often with George A. Romero’s Day of the Dead, or the monster that was supposed to die in that final chapter… does not. After all, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, was anything but since seven more films came after that one… including a remake/reboot and crossover event. Not to mention, Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare was also supposed to the end all be all finale to the Nightmare on Elm Street saga, only to have Freddy return under the watchful eye of his creator in New Nightmare and he too got a remake and that aforementioned crossover flick with Jason Voorhees.
​
So, these days when anyone hears that the end is night for a particular horror icon, eyes are indeed rolled but curiosity is of course piqued. Because we can’t help but wonder what kind of ugly and satisfying moments the monster is going to go through in that ‘final’ story and that does indeed compel us to at least check it out, despite knowing deep down… there will be advertisements in a couple of years for a new one. But we’d be remiss to point out that despite sassing the finale, deep down we too want more. We want to see these monsters thrive and scare us and share in those moments with our friends and perhaps introduce these nightmares to a new generation. But all of this does leave one to wonder… since we crave more and since the genre is unwilling to let go of some of its iconic faces, will it ever be possible to actually end a modern horror story? Because that would indeed be a bold thing to do in this modern era of franchises and universes and believe it or not, David Gordon Green and his whip-smart Halloween team have actually managed to make that happen in Halloween Ends.

A feat that this film accomplishes by taking us on quite the unique ride. Wherein we pick up four years after the events of Halloween Kills and learn that Michael Myers has not been seen since that fateful night. He’s just vanished and left Haddonfield to its own devices and an era of peace. One so calm and wonderful that even Laurie Strode has come out of hiding and purchased a home and is doing her best to actually enjoy life at last with her granddaughter Allyson and for a time… it appears that life is indeed going to return to normal for this town and these heroes. But the arrival of a young and troubled man named Corey into their lives is going to change everything. For Corey is host to a lot of darkness, the kind that has caught the attention of Haddonfield’s greatest monster, who has in fact, been in hiding all along and he will need Corey’s help to return to the limelight on the one night that matters most to him. 

Which is a plot that doesn’t quite scream finale in the slightest and understandably so. After all, the thought of Michael Myers giving anyone agency around him, is unheard of and makes this movie seem more like a passing of the torch story, one where a new monster will take The Shape's place when the story ends. Not to mention, that bold twist in turn leads to several others. The kind that adds to the mythos of Michael Myers through and through and leaves the viewer with some questions about his origins and his abilities as a monster, and the social commentary here regarding evil and its outright origins in our modern world… only adds to the feeling that… this is just another wannabe finale. One that will give us something that makes us quite happy for the time being as plans are put in motion for the next chapter in the franchise.

---

But make no mistake about it, this is a new type of horror film altogether. One that actually doesn’t toy with the audience and gives us everything that it advertises and more. Which is… shocking to say the least, since we’ve never been given that. But this is an ending, this is a finale and how that plays out is both shocking and satisfying and it will indeed stay with you long after this movie has come to its end. Because this is something we’ve never seen before in horror and the best part is, the payoff is complimented nicely by one epic ride through and through. One full of quality scares and quality kills, the kind that will outright make you cringe and turn away, making this one of the most violent and bleak Halloween movies to date as well, but hey… if you’re going for broke and wrapping this up, why not go big? 
​
However, you’ve likely noticed at this point, we’ve said little detail wise regarding HOW Halloween Ends, ends, and/or if that torch is passed, and there is good reason for that. Because this is an ending that cannot be spoiled in the slightest, it needs to be experienced firsthand. In part because of its bold and satisfying nature but also because... there’s so much more to this movie than its powerhouse ending. For Jamie Lee Curtis reminds us all once again why she is an acting legend courtesy of a performance from the ages, and the rest of the cast holds their own as well and well, in the end, this is the perfect ending to the perfect nightmare. Granted, we’d be foolish to think that the franchise won’t live on in some capacity, after all… this is Michael Myers, we are talking about here and heaven knows his saga has five unique timelines to work with. Which means, that the door is open for a fresh iteration as always and perhaps that’s really the key to the future of horror and franchises such as this one.

Wherein writers and directors will be able to tell self-encapsulated stories that come to a proper conclusion so that other ideas and concepts can be worked with, giving rise to a dark and twisted MCU style of horror storytelling. Where fresh faces can take the mantle up of iconic characters and really take them in bold new directions, akin to what happened here. But while we wait to see how this film inspires the future of horror filmmaking, we can in the meantime… enjoy this one in the comfort of a theater or in the comfort of our own homes. For Halloween Ends is out in theaters now and is available to stream on Peacock and hopefully you give this one a look in either capacity. Simply because this really is a special and brave horror film, one that will be talked about heavily for ages on end.   

---

Powered by JustWatch