Halloween Ends caps off the reboot sequel trilogy that began with 2018’s Halloween and was followed by 2021’s Halloween Kills. The trilogy is a sequel to the iconic 1978 John Carpenter film, also titled Halloween. The film was revolutionary in its time, launching the career of scream queen Curtis and spawning many sequels (some of which are considered of a higher quality than others). This trilogy, however, chose to eschew the sequels and considered only the original Halloween as canon, meaning that Curtis’ Laurie Strode had not met Michael Myers for forty years by the time of 2018’s Halloween.
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New photos released exclusively by Total Film show a glimpse at Laurie Strode and Michael Myers’ long-awaited confrontation. Some of the photos show Myers standing menacingly on a staircase and hallway, bloody knife in hand. Another photo also features Myers reaching out toward Strode, who appears defiant as the masked man approaches her." By the time you meet Laurie Strode, she has gotten help,” Curtis tells Total Film. “That’s a beautiful place to start a really tragic, incredibly violent ending.”
It was recently revealed that Halloween Ends would be hitting Peacock on the same day as it releases in theaters. The move is sure to draw viewers to the Peacock streaming service, with horror aficionados and Halloween fans being as dedicated as they are. Laurie Strode appears to be in a fight for her life, as always, but will the perennial and premiere final girl get away one last time?
Interestingly, John Carpenter recently hinted that Halloween Ends may not truly be the end of the franchise. The mind behind the franchise implied that the film may get a sequel if this new entry makes enough money - such is the workings of Hollywood. But in revealing so, did Carpenter unintentionally reveal that this installment may not end well for Laurie Strode? It’s hard to tell. The rebooted Halloween established that Michael Myers had been catatonic for about 40 years before beginning a rampage once again, so a prequel is unlikely, but not impossible, should the writers choose to retcon that narrative choice in some way.
It is possible that the franchise could continue with the death of Laurie Strode - it has, after all, happened before. Perhaps Allyson, Laurie’s granddaughter, could end up taking the reigns of the franchise. Or the franchise could once again wade into supernatural waters, making Michael Myers a creature of the night who rises again from the dead, as has also happened before in the franchise. Then there’s even the possibility (however unlikely) to turn the next film into an anthology with different characters, as Halloween III: Season of the Witch infamously did. Fans will just have to wait for Halloween Ends to drop to see if there’s any sequel hook on the horizon.
Halloween Ends releases in theaters and on Peacock on October 14, 2022.
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Source: Total Film/Twitter
