Halloween Ends (2022) Review

Possible Spoilers!

Four years after her last encounter with masked killer Michael Myers, Laurie Strode finally decides to liberate herself and embrace life. However, when a young man ignites a cascade of violence Laurie and her granddaughter are forced to confront evil again.

Lapses in logic aside, a handful of writers and director David Gordon Green incorporates some supernatural elements from the disregarded sequels mainly IV through to VI. Even a smudging of the remakes. Those expecting more of Halloween (2018) and Halloween Kills (2021) maybe left soured and sorely disappointed. With a lesser kill count, even with a pre-credit babysitter shocker opening scene, it's arguably not as emotionally charged or as graphic as its predecessors. Nevertheless, there's plenty of slasher staple blood and gore setups to satisfy. While it doesn’t flow as well as Halloween and Kills, it finally brings closure, even if a little bumpy in places. What is even is throughout is John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies' great music score; along with moody cinematography from Michael Simmonds. Green delivers some solid jump scares, homages and call backs. 

Kyle Richards' bar person Lindsey Wallace, one of the children Laurie babysat in 1978 appears again, but sadly isn't integral to the plot. The same can be said for Will Patton's Deputy Frank Hawkins. Halloween Kills is very much about Rohan Campbell's character Corey Cunningham and his struggles; along with Jamie Lee Curtis's Laurie Strode and granddaughter Allyson played again by Andi Matichak. Even if not focal, James Jude Courtney is once again on form as Michael Myers / The Shape and gets to shine in the last act. That said, while physically the infamous killer has less screentime, Myers shadows looms across the characters in some way or another. Ends is interestingly complex with a web of emotions and fears, more somber and less frantic than its predecessors, unfolding with a creeping finality. Curtis gives a gripping performance and finishes Strode's story. Even if it doesn't expand on Myers past that Halloween Kills did so well.

Overall, even though in-keeping with the Halloween franchise; with its change of direction, it's different and it may not go down well with everyone. A must see; but watch with caution.