Slasher is an extremely lucrative subgenre in horror. FromScream,A Nightmare on Elm Street,Friday the 13th, and so on, these films draw audiences with their excessive blood-use and shocking deaths. That noted, there’s one film that can be credited for paving the way for all slashers that followed:Halloween II. Following the events ofHalloween, this sequel redefines the original’s aesthetic by increasing its kills, extending its chase scenes, and transforming Michael Myers from a madman to a relentless killing machine. Here’s howHalloween IIdefines the slasher genre today.
Returning Final Girl
Jamie Lee Curtisis the horror genre’s established “The Scream Queen.” WhileThe Fog, Prom Night,andTerror Trainsolidified Curtis as “The Scream Queen,“Halloween 2introduced the “Returning Final Girl.” Never before had a final girl from a horror film returned for its sequel, and unlike Alice Hardy or Nancy Thompson, Laurie survives this installment and many sequels to follow. Some honorable mentions in the “Returning Final Girl” category include Alice Johnson inA Nightmare on Elm StreetParts 4 and 5, and the iconic Sidney Prescott, who has survived everyScreaminstallment.
“We’re Family!”
The originalHalloweenintroducesaudiences to one of the most notorious horror villains ever, Michael Myers. Michael Myers is so threatening due to his non-existent motive: he stalks Laurie and her friends for no discernible reason. Anyone can be a “Michael Myers.“Halloween IIgoes against this plot point by giving Michael a motive: he’s Laurie’s brother. Michael killed one sister fifteen years earlier, and he’s back to continue the cycle. The “We’re Family” horror troupe is seen in future slashers such asScream 3, where Ghostface is revealed to be Sidney’s half- brother, Roman.Halloweenitself uses it for its following sequelsHalloween 4,Halloween 5,Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers,andHalloween: H20(a direct sequel toHalloween 2).
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Halloween’smagic is its ability to scare audiences without gratuitous violence.Halloween IInot only increases the kill count, but the gore altogether. This change actually works in the sequel’s favor and garners a greater following for the franchise.Halloween 2’skills are reworked in slashers such asFriday the 13th: Part 2,2006’sBlack Christmas,Scream 4and evenanother sequel in the franchise,Halloween: H20.
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He’s Behind You!
Just about every slasher has a “He’s Behind You” moment. While this is introduced in the originalHalloweenevery time Michael attacks Laurie and her friends, it’s taken up anotch inHalloween II. From the opening where Michael steals a knife from an elderly couple’s house, standing behind the wife as she watches news coverage on him unbeknownst, to the girl next door Michael kills immediately after, to his attacks on Haddonfield Memorial’s nurses and paramedics, Michael uses the element of surprise in disturbingly clever ways. The most iconic “He’s Behind You” moment is Nurse Jill’s demise as Michael stabs her from behind, lifting her up in the air as Laurie watches in horror.
The Hospital Chase Scene
The “Hospital Chase Scene” is no longer unique in slashers; in many instances, it’s a given in this subgenre.Halloween IIcreated this horror troupe. From all the hospital chase scenes in slasher history,Halloween II’sis the most elaborate as Michael chases Laurie through the hospital halls, down the stairs, into the basement, into the parking lot, and back into Haddonfield Memorial.
Revamped Score
Halloween’sscore is asiconic as the series itself.Halloween IIreinvents themelody of its predecessor in an equal (if not chillier) manner. From the opening title sequence with the pumpkin opening to reveal a skull, to “Laurie’s Theme” as Laurie hides from Michael throughout Haddonfield Memorial, to the “Chase theme” as Michael finally finds Laurie, the originalHalloween’sscore is revamped in a truly macabre manner forHalloween II. Some slashers that have followed inHalloween II’sfootsteps include theScreamseries,TheTexas Chainsaw Massacre 2003, andThe Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, all of which provide excellent scores that are often refined with each sequel.
A Sequel’s Success
Halloween IIexemplifies a sequel’s full potential. Starting off a low-budget horror flick,Halloweenturned into arguablythe most profitable franchise in its genre, greatly because of its sequel’s success. As a result, the sequel movement is synonymous with any new slasher: theScreamseries,Terrifier, Rob Zombie’sHalloweenremakes,The Texas Chainsaw Massacreremakes and sequels, and many more in the making.Halloween 2demonstrates that a sequel can be as successful as its original source work, and in some instances, even better.
