There are quintessential movies for just about every occasion you can imagine. When it comes to holidays there’s a plethora of holiday themed cinema to choose from. I don’t think I’d get any legitimate arguments if I said more than any holiday, Christmas is inundated with seemingly countless options, most probably not exactly top tier entertainment but it does have its undeniable classics. Elf, Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, Die Hard and The Polar Express to name a few must-watches.
For Thanksgiving the pickings are a bit more slim I think but there are definitely some solid choices out there. Probably at the top of the turkey would be Planes, Trains & Automobiles. Honestly I looked for other legitimate Thanksgiving themed movies and there isn’t much unfortunately. There seems to be a concentrated effort with Christmas movies to bring a kind of cheer for anyone watching. With anything Thanksgiving related, there’s a weird theme of chaos and depression. I always thought New Year’s was the loneliest holiday but when it comes to film, Thanksgiving is giving it a run for its money. Anyway I’m yammering like I always do and I’m sorry about that. Let’s get to the reason we’re all here, all two of us (haha):
HALLOWEEN.
What are the best Halloween themed movies? To be clear, horror is not necessarily a Halloween movie. While the two concepts share similar aesthetics, they are each their own thing. To focus our brief search it’ll be movies about Halloween. Of course when you say Halloween movie, you almost automatically think of the 1978 John Carpenter classic of the same name. It’s about the boogeyman killing people on the coveted holiday of trick or treating. So that’s a given. Hocus Pocus is a classic intended for the entire family. Halloweentown is a go-to Disney Channel movie for all the millennials out there who are desperate for a hit of nostalgia. The Nightmare Before Christmas, a misleading title aside, is a definitive Halloween movie. Monster House is an underrated animated gem from the early 2000s.
While the ‘78 Halloween is a first-rate Halloween themed movie, I think there is one that is even more deserving of the title, quintessential: 2007’s Trick ‘r Treat.
Directed by Michael Dougherty, shown no faith in it by Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, they canceled the theatrical release and delayed it for quite some time before finally premiering it directly on DVD. Through wonderful word of mouth, still carrying on to this day, Trick ‘r Treat became a hit on home video. It wasn’t long before it garnered the badge of cult classic by horror fans everywhere. Its lasting success is due to its unique storytelling choices, particularly the utilization of an anthology-style approach. It also retains a strong atmosphere of Halloween, the frivolity and mythos that goes with it.
There is a freedom in putting on a costume and being unrecognizable and Trick ‘r Treat captures this beautifully. The anonymity of it can be intoxicating and for the nefarious types, it can be quite opportunistic. It unleashes inhibitions and brings out the darkness within us all. Whether that darkness is malevolent or simply a bit playful is as varied as the people carrying out their desires on All Hallows’ Eve.
But beyond the traditions of Halloween, trick or treating, dressing up, giving out candy, scaring people, there are also legends that have shaped the holiday for better or worse. Always check your candy comes from an urban legend about razor blades being found in candy being handed out to children. There’s also the possibility of poisoning so check for any tears or holes in the wrappers. There is the legend that on Halloween, the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest allowing for spirits of all kinds to find their way onto our plane usually only meant for the living.
There are more far fetched stories of werewolves bathing in the full moonlight. The carving of pumpkins into scary or funny images is believed to be a means of keeping away vengeful spirits while also directing the friendly spirits to the afterlife. All these myths and urban legends are brought scarily to life in Trick ‘r Treat. Told in separate stories, the interconnected themes bring it all together for a single night of Halloween fun, scares and rules that must be adhered to… or else. This brings us to the sort of mascot of Halloween. The sheriff of scares, the tricker of treaters and the law of the land, it’s none other than, Sam.
Sam is the physical manifestation of the spirit of Halloween. His purpose is to ensure the rules of Halloween are followed no matter what. His origins are unknown but he is considered a demon of Halloween who enforces the laws of Halloween by any means including murder, torture and collecting souls. His demeanor is sweet, child-like and his presence is widely unnoticed by those celebrating the holiday as it should be. Violators however often become entirely too familiar with Sam and his ways.
Featuring five Halloween stories: A school principal with a sinister side. A virgin looking for her first. A group of children out to pull some tricks getting more than they bargained for. A woman less than thrilled about the holiday is the first to break the rules trying to end the night early. And a curmudgeon whose past comes knocking at his door for a night of unforgiving vengeance. All monitored or carried out by the man of the hour, Sam.
There is no other movie that captures the spirit of Halloween quite like Trick ‘r Treat. It’s fun, scary, violent, twisted and delivers a proper dose of what it means to celebrate this amazing holiday, particularly in America. For Christmas, my must-watches are A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation and The Polar Express. For Thanksgiving its Planes, Trains & Automobiles. And for the best holiday of them all, it’s all about Trick ‘r Treat on Halloween.
Poison, drowning, claw or knife. So many ways to take a life.
Rated R For: horror violence, some sexuality/nudity and language
Runtime: 82 minutes
After Credits Scene: No
Genre: Horror, Comedy
Starring: Anna Paquin, Brian Cox, Dylan Baker, Quinn Lord
Directed By: Michael Dougherty
Out of 10
Story: 10/ Acting: 9/ Directing: 9/ Visuals: 10
OVERALL: 9.5/10
Buy to Own: Yes.
Check out the trailer below: