‘Halloween Ends’ Ending Explained: Evil Dies Tonight

How does the new trilogy conclude?

Halloween Ends
Universal

“Halloween Ends” is here.

And while the critical response has been remarkably indifferent (currently holding a cool 45 on Metacritic), it is looking like another box office juggernaut as well as a streaming powerhouse (it’s debuting simultaneously on Peacock). Plus, it’s Halloween and there’s a new “Halloween” movie – one that promises a conclusion to the trilogy that started in 2018 and, to a larger degree, the saga that began with John Carpenter’s original masterpiece in 1978. At this point, you’ve kind of got to watch it.

This time around, we have jumped ahead four years since the blood-soaked events of 2021’s “Halloween Kills” (which, for those paying attention, actually took place in 2018). Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is living in a new home with her granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) and trying to move on from her life, even though she’s still living in Haddonfield (was retiring in Palm Springs not an option?). Laurie is working on her memoirs and doting on her granddaughter, who now works at the hospital where much of “Kills” takes place. And wouldn’t you know it, on Halloween, Michael crawls his way back – both literally and psychologically – beginning a new reign of terror on the small midwestern town. Spoiler alert: it gets bloody.

But how does “Halloween Ends,” you know, end? Read on to find out!

Major spoiler warning for “Halloween Ends.” Do not read if you haven’t seen it (or are a complete sicko that is comfortable with having the movie totally ruined for you)!

The big question: does evil really die tonight?

Much was made about the mantra spouted (repeatedly) in “Halloween Kills:” evil dies tonight. As Michael’s bloody murder spree whips the town of Haddonfield into a frenzy, the town becomes consumed with its own hatred – embarking on a misplaced quest to bring Michael down. (Obviously, it doesn’t work.) But with “Halloween Ends” now here, does evil actually die tonight? Does Michael Myers actually bite it, definitely? The answer is: yes.

Maybe a bigger question: does Laurie Strode survive?

In the leadup to “Halloween Kills,” there has been a big emphasis on Laurie Strode being the first (and ultimate) final girl. For those unfamiliar with the phrase, it was coined by academic Carol J. Clover in her 1992 book “Men, Women, and Chain Saws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film.” It refers to the final survivor of most horror movies – usually a female – who makes it out alive thanks to her pluck and her inherent virtuousness, oftentimes abstaining from the bad behavior that gets her friends in trouble (and murdered). This is Laurie Strode. She has survived, time and time again. (Although the new “Halloween” trilogy ignores the events and mythology of the previous sequels, she has died once before, in 2002’s regrettable “Halloween: Resurrection.”) Does she kick the bucket in “Halloween Ends?” Thankfully, no!

How does Michael Myers die?

(Deep breath) Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell), a kid with a troubled past also connected to Halloween night who is now Allyson’s boyfriend, spends much of “Halloween Ends” wrestling with his own darkness and constantly giving in to that urge. He becomes Michael’s protégé of sorts, committing a series of killings that could easily be pinned on the homicidal maniac. Toward the end of the movie, he comes for Allyson’s mom. He’s going to do what Michael never could and take down Laurie Strode. She incapacitates him and instead of living with his failure, he kills himself … seemingly in an effort to frame Laurie for his death (in Allyson’s eyes?) As an aside: while “Halloween Ends” is very good – it feels almost instantly underrated – it doesn’t make the most sense. Anyway, Corey isn’t the only one in Laurie’s house as, wouldn’t you know it, The Shape attacks too. After a confrontation teased since the very earliest marketing materials for “Halloween Ends,” Laurie pins Michael down on the kitchen island, basically crucifying him. She then slashes his wrists and neck, as he’s done to countless canoodling teenagers since 1978. Evil finally dies.

Does the town get resolution?

Actually, yes. With the deputy sheriff’s (Will Patton) blessing, Laurie and Allyson tie Michael to the top of their car and drive his body to the local junkyard. The town follows them, including a woman from “Halloween Kills” who was presumed to be dead but instead just terribly scarred. Instead of the bloodlust-fueled mob from “Halloween Kills,” this is a solemn procession. A march for the dead. When they reach the junkyard, Laurie climbs atop a giant machine that is used to chew up metal. (This machine was shown earlier in the movie; it’s Chekhov’s giant machine that is used to chew up metal.) They throw his body into the machine and it splinters in perfect, gooey fashion. It is a stunningly gory moment and a wonderful end to this recent trilogy. Also, unlike Laurie’s trap in 2018’s “Halloween” or the assault on him at the end of “Halloween Kills,” this definitively ends Michael Myers’ story. Goodnight sweet prince.

But could there be more entries in the franchise?

While Curtis and co-writer/director David Gordon Green have both said that they are very much done with the franchise after “Halloween Ends,” the movie does leave the door open three inches (to quote another popular franchise): Allyson leaves town. While everyone she has ever loved has been brutally killed, she still has the chance to start over. So does the franchise. It’s easy to imagine additional installments that follow Allyson as she attempts to get over the past, while being confronted with the very same horror that has defined so much of her life. But hey, that’s just us. (We can have a treatment ready by Monday.)

Anything else?

Not much! Just that the “Halloween” saga has finally ended … for now. And what a scream it was!

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