Michael Myers: The Face of Evil
If you are a fan of horror movies, you probably know who Michael Myers is. He is the masked killer who stalks and slashes his way through the Halloween franchise, one of the most successful and influential series in the history of cinema. But what makes him so terrifying? How did he become the face of evil? And what is his legacy in the horror genre and pop culture? In this article, we will explore the backstory, the motives, and the impact of Michael Myers, the ultimate slasher icon.
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Introduction
Who is Michael Myers?
Michael Myers is a fictional character created by John Carpenter and Debra Hill for the 1978 film Halloween. He is a serial killer who wears a white mask and a dark jumpsuit, and wields a large kitchen knife as his weapon of choice. He first appears as a six-year-old boy who murders his older sister Judith on Halloween night in 1963, and then escapes from a mental institution 15 years later to return to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, where he targets a group of teenage babysitters, including Laurie Strode, who turns out to be his younger sister. He is pursued by his former psychiatrist, Dr. Sam Loomis, who believes that Michael is pure evil and must be stopped at all costs.
Why is he so scary?
Michael Myers is scary for many reasons. One of them is his appearance. His mask, which was originally a Captain Kirk mask painted white, gives him a blank and emotionless expression that makes him seem inhuman and soulless. His dark clothing and his large stature make him look menacing and imposing. His knife, which he uses with brutal efficiency, adds to his threat and violence.
Another reason why Michael Myers is scary is his behavior. He is silent and relentless, never speaking or showing any signs of emotion or remorse. He stalks his victims with patience and cunning, often hiding in the shadows or behind objects, waiting for the right moment to strike. He also displays incredible strength and resilience, surviving multiple injuries and attacks that would kill a normal person. He seems to have a supernatural ability to cheat death and come back for more.
A third reason why Michael Myers is scary is his motive. Unlike other horror villains who have clear reasons or motivations for their actions, such as revenge, greed, or madness, Michael Myers has no apparent motive for his killings. He kills randomly and indiscriminately, without any regard for age, gender, or relationship. He kills because he can, because he wants to, because he enjoys it. He kills for the sake of killing. This makes him unpredictable and incomprehensible, adding to his mystery and terror.
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The Origin of Michael Myers
The Halloween night in 1963
The origin of Michael Myers can be traced back to Halloween night in 1963, when he was just a six-year-old boy living in a suburban house in Haddonfield, Illinois. On that night, he picked up a clown mask and a kitchen knife from his house and walked upstairs to his sister's bedroom, where he stabbed her repeatedly until she died. He then walked outside and waited for his parents to come home, holding the bloody knife in his hand. When they arrived, they found him standing on the sidewalk with a blank expression on his face.
No one knows why Michael killed his sister that night. Some speculated that he was jealous of her boyfriend, who had just left after having sex with her. Some suggested that he was influenced by some evil force or curse that possessed him The escape from Smith's Grove Sanitarium
After killing his sister, Michael was sent to Smith's Grove Sanitarium, a mental health facility and detainment center for the criminally insane . There, he was assigned to Dr. Sam Loomis, a psychiatrist who tried to understand and treat his condition. However, Michael remained silent and unresponsive, showing no signs of improvement or remorse. Loomis soon realized that Michael was not a normal child, but a manifestation of pure evil that could not be cured or helped. He spent the next 15 years trying to keep him locked away from society, fearing that he would kill again if he ever escaped.
On October 30, 1978, the night before Halloween, Michael seized his chance to escape. He stole a car from a visiting nurse and drove back to Haddonfield, leaving behind a trail of bodies at the sanitarium. Loomis followed him, determined to stop him before he could harm anyone else. He also contacted the local sheriff, Leigh Brackett, and warned him about the danger Michael posed. However, neither of them could prevent Michael from resuming his killing spree on Halloween night.
The mask and the knife
On his way to Haddonfield, Michael stopped at a hardware store and stole two items that would become his signature: a white mask and a large kitchen knife. The mask was originally a Captain Kirk mask from Star Trek, which Michael modified by removing the hair, widening the eye holes, and painting it white . The mask gave him a distinctive and terrifying appearance, as well as concealing his identity and emotions. The knife was a simple but effective weapon that Michael used with deadly precision and force. He also showed a preference for stabbing his victims in the chest or throat, often lifting them off the ground with one hand.
Michael's choice of mask and knife may have had some symbolic meaning for him. The mask could have represented his detachment from reality and humanity, as well as his fascination with Halloween. The knife could have symbolized his anger and violence, as well as his connection to his first murder. Alternatively, Michael may have chosen these items randomly or impulsively, without any deeper motive or significance. The Killing Spree of Michael Myers
The first Halloween (1978)
The first Halloween movie, directed by John Carpenter and co-written by him and Debra Hill, introduced Michael Myers to the world as the ultimate slasher villain. The movie follows his return to Haddonfield on Halloween night, 15 years after he killed his sister, and his relentless pursuit of Laurie Strode, a high school student who is babysitting two children, Tommy Doyle and Lindsey Wallace. Along the way, he kills several of Laurie's friends, such as Annie Brackett, Lynda Van Der Klok, and Bob Simms, as well as a dog and a mechanic. He also encounters Dr. Loomis, who tries to stop him with a gun, but fails to kill him.
The movie is widely regarded as one of the best and most influential horror movies of all time, setting the standard for the slasher genre and inspiring countless imitations and sequels. The movie is praised for its suspenseful atmosphere, its iconic music score composed by Carpenter himself, its minimal use of gore and blood, and its clever use of camera angles and lighting to create tension and fear. The movie also established some of the tropes and conventions of the slasher genre, such as the final girl, the killer's POV shots, the jump scares, and the seemingly invincible killer who always comes back for more.
The sequels and the reboots
After the success of the first Halloween movie, Michael Myers became a horror franchise that spawned several sequels and reboots over the years. The sequels continued the story of Michael Myers and Laurie Strode, revealing more details about their relationship and their history. The reboots offered different interpretations and versions of Michael Myers and his origin, sometimes ignoring or contradicting the previous movies. Here is a brief overview of the main movies in the franchise:
Halloween II (1981): The direct sequel to the first movie, set on the same night. It reveals that Laurie Strode is Michael Myers' younger sister, who was adopted by another family after he killed their parents. It also shows Michael's pursuit of Laurie in a hospital, where he kills more people. It ends with Dr. Loomis sacrificing himself to blow up Michael with a gas explosion.
Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982): The only movie in the franchise that does not feature Michael Myers or any connection to him. It tells a different story about a sinister plot by a mask-making company to kill millions of children on Halloween night using a mysterious signal embedded in their masks. It was intended to be the start of an anthology series of standalone Halloween-themed stories, but it was poorly received by critics and fans.
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988): The movie that brought back Michael Myers after a six-year hiatus. It ignores the events of Halloween III and follows a new storyline set 10 years after Halloween II. It introduces Jamie Lloyd, the daughter of Laurie Strode, who died in a car accident. It shows Michael's escape from a coma and his attempt to kill Jamie on Halloween night, while Dr. Loomis tries to protect her.
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989): The sequel to Halloween 4, set one year later. It shows Michael's survival from being shot by the police and his return to Haddonfield to kill Jamie again, who has developed a psychic link with him. It also introduces a mysterious figure in black who seems to have some connection to Michael.
Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995): The sixth movie in the franchise, set six years after Halloween 5. It reveals that Michael Myers is part of an ancient cult called the Thorn, which gives him his power and compels him to kill his family members on Halloween night. It also shows Jamie's death at the hands of Michael, who then targets her son Danny and her cousin Kara Strode.
Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998): The seventh movie in the franchise, set 20 years after Halloween II. It ignores the events of Halloween 4-6 and follows a new continuity where Laurie Strode faked her death and changed her identity to Keri Tate, a headmistress of a private school. It shows Michael's discovery of Laurie's whereabouts and his attack on her and her son John on Halloween night.
Halloween: Resurrection (2002): The eighth movie in the franchise, set three years after Halloween H20. It shows Michael's survival from being decapitated by Laurie in the previous movie, who actually killed a paramedic that he swapped clothes with. It also shows Michael's murder of Laurie in a mental hospital, where she was confined after killing the wrong person. It also shows Michael's invasion of a reality show called DangerTainment, where he kills a group of college students who are exploring his childhood home.
Halloween (2007): The first reboot of the franchise, directed by Rob Zombie. It shows a more detailed and realistic origin of Michael Myers, depicting his troubled childhood, his first murder of his sister Judith, and his escape from the sanitarium. It also shows his pursuit of Laurie Strode, who is revealed to be his baby sister Angel, who was adopted by another family after he killed their mother. It features more graphic violence and gore than the original movies.
Halloween II (2009): The sequel to the 2007 reboot, set one year later. It shows Michael's survival from being shot by Laurie and his return to Haddonfield to kill her again, while she suffers from hallucinations and trauma. It also shows Dr. Loomis' exploitation of Michael's fame and his guilt over his role in his creation.
Halloween (2018): The second reboot of the franchise, directed by David Gordon Green and co-written by him and Danny McBride. It ignores the events of all the previous movies except the first one, and follows a new continuity where Michael Myers was captured and incarcerated after his first killing spree in 1978. It shows his escape from a prison bus and his return to Haddonfield on Halloween night, 40 years later, where he faces Laurie Strode again, who has become a paranoid and traumatized survivalist. It also introduces Laurie's daughter Karen and granddaughter Allyson, who are caught in Michael's rampage.
Halloween Kills (2021): The sequel to the 2018 reboot, set on the same night. It shows Michael's survival from being trapped in a burning house by Laurie and her family, and his continued killing spree in Haddonfield, where he encounters old and new characters. It also explores the impact of Michael's legacy on the town and its residents.
Halloween Ends (2022): The upcoming third and final movie in the reboot trilogy, set four years after Halloween Kills. It will show the final confrontation between Michael Myers and Laurie Strode, as well as the end of the saga.
The victims and the survivors
Michael Myers has killed many people over the course of the franchise, with different methods and motives. Some of his victims were random strangers who crossed his path or entered his territory. Some were friends or acquaintances of his main targets, who he killed to get to them or to eliminate witnesses. Some were authority figures or obstacles who tried to stop him or capture him. Some were family members or relatives who he had a personal vendetta against or who shared his bloodline.
According to various sources , Michael Myers has killed at least 121 people in the franchise, not counting animals or off-screen deaths. The table below shows some of his most notable victims and their causes of death:
Name Relation Cause of Death --- --- --- Judith Myers Sister Stabbed multiple times Annie Brackett Friend of Laurie Strangled and stabbed Lynda Van Der Klok Friend of Laurie Strangled with phone cord Bob Simms Boyfriend of Lynda Stabbed and pinned to wall Dr. Sam Loomis Psychiatrist Blown up (Halloween II) / Stabbed (Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers) Ben Tramer Classmate of Laurie Hit by car and burned Rachel Carruthers Foster sister of Jamie Stabbed with scissors Jamie Lloyd Niece Impaled on corn thresher John Strode Uncle Stabbed and electrocuted Marion Chambers Nurse of Loomis Throat slit Molly Cartwell Girlfriend of John Tate Stabbed in back Ronnie White Boyfriend of Deborah Myers Throat slit Deborah Myers Mother Shot herself Annie Brackett (reboot) Friend of Laurie / Daughter of Sheriff Brackett Stabbed repeatedly Dr. Samuel Loomis (reboot) Psychiatrist / Author Stabbed in face Oscar Mudd Friend of Allyson Nelson Impaled on fence Ray Nelson Husband of Karen Nelson / Father of Allyson Nelson Strangled with chain Cameron Elam Boyfriend of Allyson Nelson / Son of Lonnie Elam Neck snapped However, not everyone who encountered Michael Myers died at his hands. Some people managed to survive his attacks or escape from him, either by fighting back, hiding, running away, or getting help from others. Some of these survivors include:
Laurie Strode: The main protagonist and final girl of the franchise, who is Michael Myers' younger sister (in some continuities) and his archenemy. She has faced him several times and survived, often by injuring him or setting him on fire. She has also suffered from trauma and PTSD, and has become a hardened and prepared warrior, ready to confront him again.
Tommy Doyle: A boy who was babysat by Laurie Strode on the night of Michael Myers' first attack, and who witnessed his terror. He grew up to be an obsessed and paranoid man, who dedicated his life to finding and stopping Michael Myers. He also befriended Jamie Lloyd, Michael's niece, and tried to protect her from him.
Lindsey Wallace: A girl who was babysat by Annie Brackett on the night of Michael Myers' first attack, and who escaped with Tommy Doyle and Laurie Strode. She grew up to be a successful journalist and author, who wrote a book about her experience. She also joined forces with Tommy Doyle and other survivors to fight against Michael Myers.
Karen Nelson: The daughter of Laurie Strode and the mother of Allyson Nelson, who was estranged from her mother due to her obsession with Michael Myers. She was initially skeptical and dismissive of her mother's warnings, but later realized the truth and helped her trap Michael Myers in a burning house.
Allyson Nelson: The granddaughter of Laurie Strode and the daughter of Karen Nelson, who was targeted by Michael Myers on Halloween night. She managed to escape from him with the help of her friends and her grandmother, and also stabbed him with a knife.
The Legacy of Michael Myers
The impact on horror genre and pop culture
Michael Myers has had a huge impact on the horror genre and pop culture, as one of the most recognizable and influential horror icons of all time. He has inspired many other horror villains, such as Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th, Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street, Ghostface from Scream, and Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. He has also influenced many horror filmmakers, such as Wes Craven, James Wan, Jordan Peele, and Ari Aster. He has also spawned many parodies, references, homages, and tributes in various media, such as The Simpsons, South Park, Scary Movie, Family Guy, Robot Chicken, Rick and Morty, and Stranger Things.
Michael Myers has also become a symbol of Halloween itself, as his movies are often associated with the holiday and watched by millions of fans every year. His mask and knife are also popular costumes and props for Halloween parties and events. His name and image are also used for various merchandise, such as toys, games, books, comics, posters, shirts, mugs, and more.
The fan theories and speculations
Michael Myers has also generated many fan theories and speculations over the years, as fans try to explain his origin, his motive, his power, his connection to other characters, and his fate. Some of these theories include:
Michael Myers is immortal or undead: Some fans believe that Michael Myers is not a human being at all, but a supernatural entity that cannot be killed or harmed by conventional means. They cite his ability to survive multiple injuries and attacks that would kill a normal person, such as gunshots, stabbings, explosions , and fire. They also point out his apparent lack of aging, his supernatural strength and speed, and his ability to appear and disappear at will. They suggest that he may be a zombie, a demon, a ghost, or a cursed being.
Michael Myers is controlled by the Thorn cult: Some fans believe that Michael Myers is a human being who is under the influence of an ancient cult called the Thorn, which was introduced in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers. They claim that the cult has marked him with a rune that gives him his power and compels him to kill his family members on Halloween night, as part of a ritual to appease an evil force. They also argue that the cult has been manipulating and protecting him throughout the franchise, such as helping him escape from the sanitarium, providing him with weapons and vehicles, and covering up his crimes.
Michael Myers is related to Laurie Strode: Some fans believe that Michael Myers and Laurie Strode are siblings, as revealed in Halloween II and confirmed in some of the sequels and reboots. They explain that Laurie was born two years after Michael killed their sister Judith, and that she was adopted by another family after their parents died in a car accident. They also speculate that Michael has a psychic bond with Laurie, which allows him to sense her location and emotions, and that he wants to kill her either out of jealousy, hatred, or obsession.
Michael Myers is a manifestation of pure evil: Some fans believe that Michael Myers is not a person or a thing, but a concept or a force that represents pure evil. They agree with Dr. Loomis' assessment that Michael has no soul, no conscience, no reason, and no humanity. They also suggest that Michael is not bound by any rules or logic, and that he can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants, however he wants. They also imply that Michael is not affected by any external factors, such as time, space, or reality.
The future of the franchise
Michael Myers has proven to be a resilient and enduring horror icon, who has survived for over four decades and shows no signs of stopping. The franchise has also evolved and adapted to different times and trends, offering new perspectives and interpretations of the character and his story. The franchise has also attracted many talented and passionate filmmakers, actors, writers, and fans, who have contributed to its success and legacy.
The future of the franchise looks promising, as the reboot trilogy by David Gordon Green and Danny McBride is set to conclude with Halloween Ends in 2022, which promises to deliver a satisfying and definitive conclusion to the saga. The franchise may also continue with new spin-offs, prequels, sequels, or reboots, exploring different aspects or possibilities of Michael Myers and his world. The franchise may also expand to other media, such as television, streaming, comics, games, or podcasts.
Whatever the future holds for Michael Myers and the Halloween franchise, one thing is certain: he will always be the face of evil, the boogeyman who haunts our nightmares, and the ultimate slasher icon who never dies.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the backstory, the motives, and the impact of Michael Myers, the iconic horror movie villain from the Halloween franchise. We have learned about his origin as a child killer who escaped from a mental institution and returned to his hometown to kill again on Halloween night. We have also learned about his appearance as a masked killer who wields a knife and kills without mercy or reason. We have also learned about his killing spree as he targeted his sister Laurie Strode and her friends over several movies and reboots. We have also learned about his legacy as he influenced the horror genre and pop culture with his image and style. We have also learned about some of the fan theories and speculations that try to explain his nature and power. And we have also learned about the future of the franchise as it prepares to end with Halloween Ends in 2022.
We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about Michael Myers. If you are a fan of horror movies or slasher movies in particular , you may want to watch or rewatch some of the Halloween movies and see Michael Myers in action. But be warned: he may give you nightmares and make you afraid of the dark. And remember: he is always watching, always waiting, always ready to strike. Happy Halloween!
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Michael Myers and the Halloween franchise:
Who played Michael Myers in the movies?
Several actors have played Michael Myers in the movies, depending on his age and appearance. The most notable ones are:
Nick Castle: The original actor who played Michael Myers as an adult in the first movie, and who reprised his role in the 2018 reboot and its sequels.
Tony Moran: The actor who played Michael Myers as an adult when he unmasked himself in the first movie.
Will Sandin: The actor who played Michael Myers as a child in the first movie.
Dick Warlock: The actor who played Michael Myers as an adult in Halloween II.
George P. Wilbur: The actor who played Michael Myers as an adult in Halloween 4 and Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers.
Don Shanks: The actor who played Michael Myers as an adult in Halloween 5.
Chris Durand: The actor who played Michael Myers as an adult in Halloween H20.
Brad Loree: The actor who played Michael Myers as an adult in Halloween: Resurrection.
Tyler Mane: The actor who played Michael Myers as an adult in the 2007 reboot and its sequel.
Daeg Faerch: The actor who played Michael Myers as a child in the 2007 reboot.
James Jude Courtney: The actor who played Michael Myers as an adult in the 2018 reboot and its sequels, alongside Nick Castle.
What is the meaning of the Thorn symbol?
The Thorn symbol is a rune that appears in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, and that is associated with Michael Myers and the cult that controls him. It is shaped like a trident or a pitchfork, and it represents a constellation of stars that aligns every Halloween night, giving Michael his power and his curse. According to the cult's leader, Dr. Terence Wynn, the Thorn symbol is also an ancient sign of a demon that inhabited a person chosen by the cult, who had to sacrifice his family members to save the world from evil. He claims that Michael is the current host of the Thorn demon, and that he must kill his entire bloodline to end his curse.
Why did Rob Zombie remake Halloween?
Rob Zombie, a musician and filmmaker who is a fan of the original Halloween movie, decided to remake it in 2007 with his own vision and style. He wanted to explore the origin and psychology of Michael Myers, and to show how he became a killer. He also wanted to make the movie more realistic and gritty, and to add more violence and gore. He also wanted to cast his own actors and actresses, some of whom he had worked with before in his previous movies, such as House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects.
How did Laurie Strode die?
Laurie Strode's death depends on which continuity you follow. In some continuities, she is still alive and fighting against Michael Myers. In others, she has died in different ways:
In Halloween 4, it is revealed that she died in a car accident along with her husband, leaving behind her daughter Jamie Lloyd.
In Halloween H20, it is revealed that she faked her death in a car accident and changed her identity to Keri Tate, but she is later killed by Michael Myers in Halloween: Resurrection, after he stabs her and throws her off a roof.
In the 2007 reboot, it is revealed that she was killed by Michael Myers in Halloween II, after he stabbed her repeatedly in a shack.
When will Halloween Ends be released?
Halloween Ends, the third and final movie in the reboot trilogy by David Gordon Green and Danny McBride, is scheduled to be released on October 14, 2022. It will be preceded by Halloween Kills, which will be released on October 15, 2021. Both movies were filmed back-to-back in 2019, but their release dates were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 44f88ac181
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