“Halloween” holds up as perfect horror classic for October

Standing+over+his+next+victim%2C+Myers+holds+a+knife+and+is+ready+to+strike.+He+looked+down+on+them+with+a+frightening+mask+over+his+face+on+Halloween+night+of+1978.

Used with permission: Flickr

Standing over his next victim, Myers holds a knife and is ready to strike. He looked down on them with a frightening mask over his face on Halloween night of 1978.

Set in the town of Haddonfield, Illinois in 1978, “Halloween” follows Michael Myers, a man who killed his sister at the age of six.  

After being sentenced and locked away for 15 years, Myers escapes while being transferred for a court date and returns to Haddonfield, looking for his next victims. 

Laurie Strode, who is portrayed by the brilliant Jamie Lee Curtis, is babysitting on Halloween night. She makes plans with her friends, but they are interrupted by the attacks of Myers. 

The acting can be a bit predictable and overdone at times, but Curtis does a great job at playing the role of Laurie, a dedicated student who takes her responsibilities seriously and always looks out for her friends. 

This film is widely regarded as one of the most influential films of its era in the horror industry. It is a classic and set precedents for many films that followed it. 

Although the movie is on the older side, its jump scares and chilling plot do not disappoint. The music also plays a major role in getting the audience into the mindset that all horror movies hope to achieve. Myers seems to lurk in every corner, and this leaves the audience wondering where he’ll turn up next. 

Used with permission: Flickr
Depicting a jack-o-lantern and a hand clutching a knife, this poster from 1978 is advertising the film “Halloween.” It showed a sneak peek at what the movie is about, and the words, “The Night He came home!” reference Myers’ return to Haddonfield.

The effects aren’t as believable as in today’s scary movies, but that’s to be expected since the film came out four decades ago. 

The classic Michael Myers mask also sent a chill down my spine; rather than being able to relate with the villain, he is portrayed as inhuman. He speaks not a word throughout the movie, and this adds to the idea that he is not a normal man. 

As the story progresses, you’re sure to get more and more enthralled in the plot, and wonder whether the story will conclude happily or disastrously. 

This film is perfect for horror movie connoisseurs or anyone who is up for a thrill. It is a great classic for watching with friends or even by yourself if you’re brave enough. 

The classic has been revived due to the new take on the film released this year. It is set to be released Oct. 19, and stars Curtis as well as several new faces like Judy Greer and Nick Castle.  

The new film has gotten an 85 percent score from Rotten Tomatoes, and critics have acclaimed the movie to be a clean slate for the story after several disappointing sequels.