40 details from the original 'Halloween' films you should know before you watch 'Halloween Kills'

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Debanjali BoseOct 18, 2021, 09:10 IST
40 details from the original 'Halloween' films you should know before you watch 'Halloween Kills'

Michael Myers is back in "Halloween Kills."Universal

  • "Halloween Kills" premiered Friday, the newest entry in the long-running "Halloween" franchise.
  • The series has 12 films but only the 1978 original and its 2018 sequel are relevant to this movie.

Warning: This post contains major spoilers for "Halloween" (1978) and its direct sequel, also called "Halloween" (2018).

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"Halloween Kills" picks up the story where "Halloween" left off in 2018, with Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) trying to kill Michael Myers (Nick Castle and James Jude Courtney).

"Halloween Kills" picks up the story where "Halloween" left off in 2018, with Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) trying to kill Michael Myers (Nick Castle and James Jude Courtney).
"Halloween Kills." Universal

The franchise includes 12 movies, including "Halloween Kills," but to understand the latest sequel, viewers only need to remember what takes place in "Halloween" (1978) and "Halloween" (2018).

The franchise includes 12 movies, including "Halloween Kills," but to understand the latest sequel, viewers only need to remember what takes place in "Halloween" (1978) and "Halloween" (2018).
Laurie Strode. Compass International Productions
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Like all previous installments, "Halloween Kills" is set in Haddonfield, Illinois, where (if the characters are to be believed) nothing interesting ever happens.

Like all previous installments, "Halloween Kills" is set in Haddonfield, Illinois, where (if the characters are to be believed) nothing interesting ever happens.
Haddonfield. Compass International Productions

Except, in 1978, the then-six-year-old Michael stabs his older sister, Judith (Sandy Johnson), in the original "Halloween" movie while she brushes her hair in her bedroom.

Except, in 1978, the then-six-year-old Michael stabs his older sister, Judith (Sandy Johnson), in the original "Halloween" movie while she brushes her hair in her bedroom.
Young Michael. Compass International Productions
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This bedroom, located on the second floor of the house, is as significant as some of the characters in "Halloween Kills."

This bedroom, located on the second floor of the house, is as significant as some of the characters in "Halloween Kills."
The bedroom. Compass International Productions

In "Halloween" (1978), after Michael kills his sister, he is sent away to a psychiatric facility. Fifteen years later, he breaks out of the hospital and returns to Haddonfield on Halloween.

In "Halloween" (1978), after Michael kills his sister, he is sent away to a psychiatric facility. Fifteen years later, he breaks out of the hospital and returns to Haddonfield on Halloween.
Michael. Compass International Productions
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Around the same time Michael returns to Haddonfield, Laurie's realtor dad is trying to sell the now-abandoned Myers house and he watches her drop off a key at the home.

Around the same time Michael returns to Haddonfield, Laurie's realtor dad is trying to sell the now-abandoned Myers house and he watches her drop off a key at the home.
Michael watching Laurie. Compass International Productions

Michael goes on a killing spree on Halloween night and murders, among others, three high school students - Annie (Nancy Kyes), Lynda (P.J. Soles), and Bob (John Graham).

Michael goes on a killing spree on Halloween night and murders, among others, three high school students - Annie (Nancy Kyes), Lynda (P.J. Soles), and Bob (John Graham).
Laurie, Lynda, and Annie. Compass International Productions
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Before Michael kills her, Annie had been babysitting Lindsey (Kyle Richards). Annie had dropped Lindsey off at Laurie's house earlier that night to be with her boyfriend.

Before Michael kills her, Annie had been babysitting Lindsey (Kyle Richards). Annie had dropped Lindsey off at Laurie's house earlier that night to be with her boyfriend.
Lindsey. Compass International Productions

Ultimately, Lindsey, Laurie, and the boy Laurie had been babysitting, Tommy (Brian Andrews), all survive Michael's attack.

Ultimately, Lindsey, Laurie, and the boy Laurie had been babysitting, Tommy (Brian Andrews), all survive Michael's attack.
Tommy. Compass International Productions
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Richards reprises her role as Lindsey in "Halloween Kills," while Anthony Michael Hall plays an adult version of Tommy in the new movie.

Richards reprises her role as Lindsey in "Halloween Kills," while Anthony Michael Hall plays an adult version of Tommy in the new movie.
Kyle Richards in "Halloween Kills." Universal

In addition to being Lindsey's babysitter, Annie was also the sheriff's daughter.

In addition to being Lindsey's babysitter, Annie was also the sheriff's daughter.
Sheriff Brackett, as played by Charles Cyphers in the original movoies. Compass International Productions
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Charles Cyphers reprises his role as Sheriff Brackett in "Halloween Kills," vowing to avenge his daughter's death alongside Lindsey.

Charles Cyphers reprises his role as Sheriff Brackett in "Halloween Kills," vowing to avenge his daughter's death alongside Lindsey.
Charles Cyphers. Universal

"Halloween" (2018) is a direct sequel to the original 1978 movie, disregarding everything that took place in all of the previous nine installments.

"Halloween" (2018) is a direct sequel to the original 1978 movie, disregarding everything that took place in all of the previous nine installments.
Michael in "Halloween" 2018. Universal
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This includes "Halloween II" (1981), which continued from the exact minute "Halloween" (1978) ended and established that Laurie was Michael's biological sister.

This includes "Halloween II" (1981), which continued from the exact minute "Halloween" (1978) ended and established that Laurie was Michael's biological sister.
Laurie and Michael. Compass International Productions

Forty years later, in "Halloween" (2018), Laurie has turned into a recluse living on her sprawling estate, protected by her tall fences, security cameras, and many guns.

Forty years later, in "Halloween" (2018), Laurie has turned into a recluse living on her sprawling estate, protected by her tall fences, security cameras, and many guns.
Laurie in "Halloween" 2018. Universal
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As a result, Laurie is estranged from her daughter, Karen (Judy Greer), although she shares a closer bond with granddaughter, Allyson.

As a result, Laurie is estranged from her daughter, Karen (Judy Greer), although she shares a closer bond with granddaughter, Allyson.
Karen. Universal

Allyson (Andi Matichak), like her grandmother when she was a teenager, enjoys wearing long-sleeved sweaters.

Allyson (Andi Matichak), like her grandmother when she was a teenager, enjoys wearing long-sleeved sweaters.
Allyson. Universal
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Laurie's home has a secret bunker under the kitchen counter that can be moved around with a remote control, possibly to hide from Michael if he ever broke into the house.

Laurie's home has a secret bunker under the kitchen counter that can be moved around with a remote control, possibly to hide from Michael if he ever broke into the house.
The moving counter. Universal

Unfortunately for the family, Laurie is right and on Halloween eve, Michael breaks loose while being transferred from a psychiatric facility to a maximum-security prison and returns to Haddonfield.

Unfortunately for the family, Laurie is right and on Halloween eve, Michael breaks loose while being transferred from a psychiatric facility to a maximum-security prison and returns to Haddonfield.
The bus. Universal
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Right before entering a house to murder a babysitter (and spare the child - a nod to the 1978 film), Michael runs into a couple dressed as healthcare workers.

Right before entering a house to murder a babysitter (and spare the child - a nod to the 1978 film), Michael runs into a couple dressed as healthcare workers.
The couple Michael runs into. Universal

While he doesn't attack them and they appear to be minor characters at a glance - remember them.

While he doesn't attack them and they appear to be minor characters at a glance - remember them.
Remember the couple for "Halloween Kills." Universal
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Viewers should also remember this patient from Michael's psychiatric facility even though "Halloween" (2018) only gives him a few seconds of screen time.

Viewers should also remember this patient from Michael's psychiatric facility even though "Halloween" (2018) only gives him a few seconds of screen time.
Michael's fellow patient. Universal

Just as Michael watched Laurie drop off a key in 1978, in 2018, he watches a character named Sondra (Diva Tyler) show podcasters around Judith's grave. Make note of Sondra.

Just as Michael watched Laurie drop off a key in 1978, in 2018, he watches a character named Sondra (Diva Tyler) show podcasters around Judith's grave. Make note of Sondra.
Sondra. Universal
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For a Halloween dance, Allyson dresses up as Bonnie and Clyde with her boyfriend Cameron (Dylan Arnold). Later, Allyson catches Clyde cheating on her and leaves with a friend.

For a Halloween dance, Allyson dresses up as Bonnie and Clyde with her boyfriend Cameron (Dylan Arnold). Later, Allyson catches Clyde cheating on her and leaves with a friend.
Allyson and Cameron. Universal

On their way home, the young pair unknowingly runs into Michael. Allyson narrowly escapes unhurt but Michael kills her friend.

On their way home, the young pair unknowingly runs into Michael. Allyson narrowly escapes unhurt but Michael kills her friend.
Michael attacking Allyson's friend. Universal
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Michael eventually makes his way to Laurie's home with the help of his psychiatrist Dr. Sartain. Karen is also at the estate with Laurie, and Allyson joins them later.

Michael eventually makes his way to Laurie's home with the help of his psychiatrist Dr. Sartain. Karen is also at the estate with Laurie, and Allyson joins them later.
Laurie. Universal

In his debut scene, Dr. Sartain (Haluk Bilginer) says he is a student of Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence), Michael's original psychiatrist who said he knew the killer better than anyone else.

In his debut scene, Dr. Sartain (Haluk Bilginer) says he is a student of Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence), Michael's original psychiatrist who said he knew the killer better than anyone else.
Dr. Sartain. Universal
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Back at the estate, Laurie and Michael face off once again after four decades, including in a confrontation from either side of a closet with slats.

Back at the estate, Laurie and Michael face off once again after four decades, including in a confrontation from either side of a closet with slats.
The closet door. Universal

In 1978, Laurie hid in a similar closet while Michael tried to break the slats to stab her.

In 1978, Laurie hid in a similar closet while Michael tried to break the slats to stab her.
Laurie in 1978. Compass International Productions
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In the sequel, Laurie is standing outside a closet with slats with a gun hoping Michael is inside and she can shoot and kill him.

In the sequel, Laurie is standing outside a closet with slats with a gun hoping Michael is inside and she can shoot and kill him.
A similar closet. Universal

Ultimately, Laurie and Karen trap him in the secret unit in the basement and set fire to the home. The family runs away from the property expecting Michael to die in the flames.

Ultimately, Laurie and Karen trap him in the secret unit in the basement and set fire to the home. The family runs away from the property expecting Michael to die in the flames.
Laurie setting fire to the basement. Universal
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However, viewers don't actually watch Michael die.

However, viewers don't actually watch Michael die.
Michael. Universal

Both "Halloween" movies from 1978 and 2018 end the same way - Laurie and everyone else thinks they've killed Michael, but he's basically indestructible.

Both "Halloween" movies from 1978 and 2018 end the same way - Laurie and everyone else thinks they've killed Michael, but he's basically indestructible.
The final scene in "Halloween" 2018. Universal
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At the end of the 1978 "Halloween," Loomis says he shot Michael six times but Michael still got up and ran away.

At the end of the 1978 "Halloween," Loomis says he shot Michael six times but Michael still got up and ran away.
Dr. Loomis. Universal

In the 2018 film, Laurie, Allyson, and Karen all stab and shoot Michael at various points, but he's only down for a few seconds each time.

In the 2018 film, Laurie, Allyson, and Karen all stab and shoot Michael at various points, but he's only down for a few seconds each time.
Karen. Universal
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While Michael refuses to die, the 2018 "Halloween" introduces viewers to one more character who's been trying to kill him since 1978 - Deputy Frank Hawkins (Will Patton).

While Michael refuses to die, the 2018 "Halloween" introduces viewers to one more character who's been trying to kill him since 1978 - Deputy Frank Hawkins (Will Patton).
Deputy Hawkins. Universal

Sartain stabbed Hawkins while trying to help Michael escape in 2018's "Halloween" (and minutes before Michael killed Sartain) but viewers don't see Hawkins die.

Sartain stabbed Hawkins while trying to help Michael escape in 2018's "Halloween" (and minutes before Michael killed Sartain) but viewers don't see Hawkins die.
Dr. Sartain. Universal
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There's also a new sheriff in town - Sheriff Barker (Omar Dorsey).

There's also a new sheriff in town - Sheriff Barker (Omar Dorsey).
Sheriff Barker. Universal

While both the 2018 "Halloween" and "Halloween Kills" ignore the plot developments of the "Halloween II" sequel, Laurie spends most of the 2021 movie in a hospital, like "Halloween II."

While both the 2018 "Halloween" and "Halloween Kills" ignore the plot developments of the "Halloween II" sequel, Laurie spends most of the 2021 movie in a hospital, like "Halloween II."
Laurie Strode. Ryan Green/Universal Studios

"Halloween Kills" is out in theaters on Friday and streaming on Peacock.

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