Halloween, a Classic October Film

Written by Gia Braden

Halloween, a 1970s classic, is one of those movies everyone loves. Horror films were making a scene during the 70s, including The Exorcist (1973), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), and Carrie (1976). John Carpenter, an award-winning filmmaker, rose to fame with the most popular Halloween movie, raising the box office to $70 million.

Patient of Smiths Grove peeping on his next victim

From the popular soundtrack to the suspense, Michael Myers is devious. Halloween is based on a little boy who murdered his own sister on Halloween in 1963. That little boy is Michael Myers, the main antagonist of the film. Michael was sent away to Smiths Grove, a mental institute, and on the day of October 30, 1978, he returned. He helps other patients at the institute escape, causing a distraction. He is nowhere to be seen and quietly lurks in the shadows, targeting his next victim, Laurie Strode. Throughout the movie, Laurie and her friends are taunted, and Michael’s doctor goes on a rabid hunt along with the police.

Michael Myers is stalking a young boy the protagonist is babysitting

Michael Myers mostly targets teenage babysitters, creating the effect of possibilities for realistic scenarios. Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, is an innocent 17-year-old babysitter. It intends to show that babysitting could be dangerous. Even though there is not a 6-foot man following you, with mechanic coveralls and a white Captain Kirk mask from Star Trek, it proves the point of targeting those taking care of young children, attempting to promptly keep them safe.

Halloween, a one-of-a-kind mystery & slasher, keeps you on the edge of your seat. The eerie but fascinating film is a success. The start of the movie includes the Halloween theme song, a piano piece that fast forwards to an unsettling jack o'lantern. The movie cover contains the words, “The Night He Came Home!” which indicates a more dramatic reaction of people who have never seen Halloween. The creative introduction, lets the viewers know something disturbing will happen. Throughout the movie, there is little to no blood, which still makes every single death terrifying. Not only this, but Michael Myers is voiceless. He never speaks; all we hear is his heavy breathing, which is uncontrollably creepy.

Laurie Strode’s acting in this film launched her career, and she has appeared in well-known movies such as My Girl (1991), Freaky Friday (2003), and, of course, other films from the Halloween franchise. Introverted from her friend group, she is the first to notice Michael. Laurie fights back and protects the children she is babysitting, instead of running away and hiding, creating dramatic suspense.

Laurie Strode (Jamie) pictured on the right along with her friends Lynda & Annie

Overall, I give Halloween a 5-star rating. It is everyone's go-to Halloween film to kick off the month of October. As well as this, the sequential franchise is even better, following the chase of Michael and Laurie. 11 films later, it is still an eventful adventure of those being terrorized by someone with intent.