It’s the eleventh go-round for the masked killer Michael Myers in a film that starts immediately where the 2018 direct sequel to the 1978 original left off. Laurie, having thwarted Myers with the help of her daughter (Judy Greer) and her granddaughter (Andi Matichak), is taken to hospital. But Myers has not perished and the townsfolk come together to face-up to him.
This is certainly very reverential to John Carpenter’s original movie. There is an extended preamble set in 1978, and a number of the characters return, with the same actors playing them where possible. One of those original characters, Tommy Doyle (Anthony Michael Hall) actually takes centre stage this time as the leader of the mob after Myers. Laurie is confined to her hospital bed for most of the film, so the expected confrontation between her and the monster does not materialise.
Halloween Kills is at its best in the first half as Myers resumes his rampage and when there are some inventive and gruesome killings. A lot of the latter part feels like it is setting up the story for the final part of this trilogy, Halloween Ends, to be released this time next year. It does provide a lot for fans of the franchise to enjoy, with Greer, Matichak and Kyle Richards reprising the role of Lindsey after 40 years, all impressing.
At this point, Michael Myers appears to be invincible. I guess we will find out if that is true next Halloween…
Rating: 7.5 out of 10