Halloween Kills

If you want a drama that takes its characters as seriously as its plot, Halloween Kills is available in Australia on Stan right now. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Jamie Lee Curtis leads a cast that never overplays its hand. Put it on tonight on Stan and see for yourself.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Halloween Kills is worth clearing space for. Character-driven storytelling at its most effective — Halloween Kills earns every emotional beat it goes for. Michael manages to free himself from Laurie Strode's trap to resume his ritual bloodbath. As she fights for her life from injuries from their last encounter, she inspires her daughter Karen, her granddaughter Allyson, and all of Haddonfield to rise up against the unstoppable monster. The performances from Jamie Lee Curtis and Judy Greer give it more weight than the premise alone would suggest. It hit screens in 2021. The writing trusts the audience to sit with ambiguity rather than wrapping everything up in a tidy conclusion — it is the approach that separates good drama from great. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Drama fans who appreciate slow-burn storytelling will feel right at home with Halloween Kills. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Jamie Lee Curtis carries the material with a performance that rewards close attention. Worth starting sooner rather than later.