“Next Halloween, when the sun sets and someone is alone, he kills." These fearful words from Laurie Strode (played once more by Jamie Lee Curtis) kick off this quick but effective trailer for Halloween Kills, the upcoming latest entry in the classic slasher series.
The trailer features flashes of action and confusion and confusing action, teasing plenty of the brutal scares that fans of the series have come to expect. Beginning with a shot of killer Michael Myers slowly picking up his signature mask in the middle of a street that, bafflingly, hasn't completely outlawed Halloween decorations after all the holiday-centric murder, the teaser seems to suggest a rather classic horror feel to the film. Featuring Strode and her family in yet another series of confrontations with the serial slayer, Halloween Kills seems to promise more of the terrifying, pulse-pounding thrills that continue to attract both long-time viewers and new devotees alike.
After the impressive success of 2018's Halloween (not to be confused with 1978's Halloween or 2007's Halloween), it was only a matter of time before Myers, the deranged murderer with a thing for headgear, returned once again. As a direct sequel, Halloween Kills gives him that chance, because clearly everybody needs work these days. Focusing more on jumping off from John Carpenter's original 1978 film and its 1981 follow-up rather than attempting a complete reboot, the 2018 "recalibration" served as a gathering point in the series that fans from 1978 to the present could all appreciate. The plot, which involved Strode dealing with post traumatic stress disorder surrounding her confrontation with Myers 40 years earlier, provided an excellent framing device that organically helped catch up classic viewers as well as give context to newcomers.
Aside from Curtis, Halloween Kills will feature the return of director David Gordon Green, who also directed the 2018 film. Keeping with the standard of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" when it comes to those involved, many cast members from the previous film will also be appearing, including Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, Kyle Richards, Nancy Stephens and Charles Cyphers. The original Michael Myers actor, Nick Castle, will reprise his role as well, sharing the role as he did in 2018 with actor and stunt performer James Jude Courtney. Notably, Anthony Michael Hall and Robert Longstreet also join the party this time around.
Halloween is easily one of the most famous and recognized horror series, from its iconic chilling theme music to Myers' legendary spray-painted William Shatner mask (yes, it's actually a Shatner mask. Look it up.) So it's oddly heartwarming to see this story about an unhinged mass murderer remaining relevant to this day. Even if it's not everyone's cup of tea, it's undeniable how far its legacy has reached. It's even already resulted in yet another sequel following Halloween Kills called Halloween Ends, scheduled to be released a year later.
While this is only a teaser, and a rather tiny one at that, it's surely enough to whet the appetites of horror fans everywhere as they anxiously await the next installment in 2021. But in the mean time, why not watch the 2018 film again? It's the perfect time of year to watch a brutal slasher film after all. No, not Halloween. It's Dancing with the Stars season.
Halloween Kills is set to release October 15, 2021.
Source: Variety