Anna Daniels
The Halloween franchise is one of the most influential in horror history. The original Halloween helped to establish many of the conventions of the slasher film genre. Without it, the world might not have other slasher films like Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street.
The series had a return to form with the 2018 film Halloween. Fans and critics alike agreed the film was pleasantly nostalgic. Here’s what we know about how the next film in the franchise, Halloween Kills, will keep up that nostalgic streak.
Why the Myers house from ‘Halloween’ is iconic
Certain film franchises have iconic locations. Star Wars has the Death Star. The Superman films have Krypton. If the Halloween series has an iconic location, it’s the Myers house.
In the opening scene of the original film, Michael Myers brutally stabs his sister Judith to death. The scene is made all the more shocking by Michael’s youth. Since then, the series has returned to the Myers house several times, most notably during the climaxes of Halloween 5 and Rob Zombie’s Halloween.
Interestingly, the appearance of the Myers house often changes wildly from film to film. Is there an in-universe reason for these changes? Or are these changes simply the result of bad continuity? Fans have been trying to parse that out for decades now.
What we know about the upcoming film so far
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5ke9IPTIJQ?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]
The continuity of the Halloween franchise is notoriously convoluted. Different films in the series take place in completely different timelines. 2018’s Halloween takes place in the same timeline as the original film. In keeping with this continuity, its sequel, Halloween Kills, will feature a return of the spooky Myers house.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Halloween Kills will be directed by David Gordon Green. He also directed the previous film in the series. Green is finishing the film which is currently scheduled to be released on Oct. 16, 2020. Sounds like a fitting release date! However, The Hollywood Reporter also said the film’s release date could be rescheduled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
How the Myers house factors into the ‘Halloween’ fandom
Is it a good idea for the franchise to return to the Myers house? Franchises are usually interested in nostalgia and the old Myers house is certainly a nostalgic location for fans. However, it’s always possible a film can get too concerned with recreating the earlier films in the franchise. Many fans felt 2018’s Halloween did a good job of balancing nostalgia and new material so hopefully Green will be able to accomplish that feat a second time.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the house from the original Halloween is still standing in South Pasadena, California. It remains a tourist attraction for fans of the franchise. Will the house make an appearance in Halloween Kills? Only time will tell. Regardless, it’s interesting to see how the creators of Halloween Kills are trying to pay homage to the original film.
Also see: How a John Lennon Song Inspired Stephen King’s ‘The Shining’
Written by: Cheat
