5 reasons Trick ‘r Treat is the absolute best Halloween horror movie in existence

5 reasons Trick 'r Treat is the absolute best Halloween horror movie in existence

As someone who has spent countless Halloweens huddled around the TV, immersed in the spooky tales that grace our screens during this season, I can confidently say that 2007’s “Trick ‘r Treat” is the ultimate Halloween movie. This film is not just a movie; it’s a symphony of all things that make October 31st magical.

2007’s “Trick ‘r Treat” is widely recognized among horror enthusiasts and often becomes a yearly tradition for many to re-watch around Halloween. However, it may not be clear to all that “Trick ‘r Treat” truly embodies the epitome of Halloween horror films in terms of its brilliance.

Indeed, I made that statement clearly: Despite my fondness for Halloween and some of its follow-ups, there’s no doubt in my mind that Trick ‘r Treat does the most justice to capturing the essence of the Halloween spirit.

Initially showcased in film festivals back in 2007, this movie appeared poised for widespread acclaim, yet strangely faded from sight, resurfacing two years later as a direct-to-video production. Despite this unusual journey, it garnered praise from critics and horror enthusiasts alike; the creative mind behind it being Michael Dougherty, known for “Krampus”.

Through time, it has earned a special place in many hearts, and here’s why I believe it surpasses all other Halloween horror movies:

It’s scary and gory – Like any r-rated horror film worth its salt, Trick ‘r Treat features plenty of blood onscreen, as well as a good, spooky plotline. Basically, it’s an anthology film woven with intersecting threads. And each of the individual stories is engrossing and entertaining. We get the opening scene with the grumpy Emma and her much more laid-back husband Henry. When Emma decides to take down the couple’s elaborate Halloween decorations early, Sam delivers bloody vengeance on her.

In a different phrasing: Principal Steven Wilkins addresses student Charlie, who had been found guilty of shoplifting sweets and vandalizing pumpkins. To facilitate the discussion, Wilkins offers Charlie some candies. However, it seems that the trust placed in Wilkins might not have been entirely reciprocated.

As a fervent enthusiast, let me share my favorite tale: The one where a group of us kids embarked on an adventure to our nearby quarry, intending to pull off what we thought was a harmless prank on Rhonda, our fellow Halloween devotee. Little did we know, the tables would soon turn against Macy, Chip, Schrader, and Sara.

At a costume party held deep within the woods, Laurie (in her Little Red Riding Hood getup) is unfortunately stuck in town, looking for a date. As she crosses paths with a man dressed as a vampire, it appears that her destiny could be set in stone. Earlier, we witnessed him feeding on a young woman and abandoning her lifeless body on the ground.

But, who is really the victim…and who’s the prey?

Lastly, we delve into the intricate aspects of our shared narrative, featuring Sam, the lethal one, and Kreeg, who finds Halloween particularly loathsome. To discourage any prospective trick-or-treaters, Kreeg dresses his pet in a frightening outfit. Kreeg, like all characters, carries his own past and reasons for disliking this holiday.

More reasons to love Trick ‘r Treat

It’s funny! – Despite the genuine thrills and chills that are built into Trick ‘r Treat, it is laced with plenty of humor…much of it of the dark variety. The bodies in the back yard that Wilkins has to continuously whack with a shovel, the way the tables get turned on the “vampire,” Kreeg’s little dog wearing the menacing-looking lighted costume…all of these little touches keep us giggling between goosebumps.

Well, I’d totally expect Dougherty to infuse a ton of humor into his screenplays, just like he did with Krampus. It’s just his style!

It has twists and turns – Each of the stories sports a nice little twist that most don’t see coming. We first think we are seeing straightforward tales, but they end up taking a turn in each case. Sure, maybe Emma is just tired and ready to be done with Halloween, but Sam doesn’t appreciate her lack of respect for the holiday traditions.

In the beginning of Wilkins’ tale, an unexpected turn unfolds as he is not just a school principal, but a ruthless child-killer. Yet, there are more shocks to come. For instance, he grows irritated when his son persistently urges him to carve a jack o’ lantern and requests assistance with the eyes, but even this seemingly ordinary event holds a hidden element. Lastly, Wilkins reserves a significant twist for later in the movie, appearing in another narrative under a false identity.

The tale of the Halloween school bus tragedy carries an underlying sadness, yet it’s worth noting that it contains an unexpected twist towards the end, which some astute listeners might have guessed beforehand.

As a thrill-seeking enthusiast, I must confess that last Halloween’s woodland soiree was not merely a festive celebration of Samhain. It held a secret charm, a mysterious allure that made the woods come alive with an eerie magic.

5 reasons Trick 'r Treat is the absolute best Halloween horror movie in existence

The characters and actors are great – The characters in Trick ‘r Treat are just delightful, even the homicidal ones. Sam appears to be a little boy in orange footie pajamas, but when his burlap sack is removed, his face is horrifying (and very Halloween-appropriate).

Dylan Baker delivers a remarkable performance as Principal Wilkins. His character transitions swiftly from a stern but compassionate principal to a ruthless killer, leaving us captivated throughout the transformation. Brian Cox’s Kreeg elicits feelings of sympathy and disdain in equal measure. Anna Paquin portrays Laurie with a sense of fragility and an eagerness to obey. Lastly, the wretched Macy in her angel costume stirs up feelings of frustration that leave us wanting to reprimand her.

It LOOKS like Halloween – There is no other film that includes such stunning visuals…visuals that just SCREAM Halloween. Foremost are the hundreds of jack o’ lanterns that Rhonda has lovingly carved. Artfully arranged at the front of the creepy house, they set the stage for a creepy Halloween tale from the start.

The costumes sported by the characters are stunningly fitting for their roles, yet it’s amusingly incongruous that Macy dons an angel outfit, and initially, Little Red appears to align with Laurie’s character, but we later discover a touch of irony in this choice too.

It’s fitting that Laurie’s sister and her companions are dressed as if they were royalty, and I find myself remarking yet again about the outfits of the school bus kids. Those basic costumes (a half-vampire mask, a skull, a flipped princess mask, a spooky clown, a rabbit, a brown bag with a frightening face drawn on it) are truly chilling.

To put it simply, the movie “Trick r’ Treat” offers everything you might dream of in a Halloween-themed horror flick, making it a film worthy of admiration. Essentially, it’s like an heartfelt tribute to Halloween. If you haven’t yet watched “Trick ‘r Treat”, you can find it streaming on Max.

2024-10-24 23:26

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