Spoiler Alert: This story contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Halloween Ends.

Halloween Ends is now in theaters (and on Peacock for those who want to stream it at home), and to put it lightly, fans have their opinions on the film. It has gotten to be a pretty divisive installment of the franchise that has resulted in harsh ratings from critics and heavy criticism on social media. Even so, there are many Halloween fans giving credit to the film for taking an unexpected approach to the story, arguing that, in due time, Halloween Ends will get its due credit.

In any case, one thing that has drawn in much criticism has been putting Michael Myers on the sidelines after he was last seen in the brutal Halloween Kills ending. The killer’s screen time is much more limited as he now spends his days living in the sewers, only attacking those unlucky enough to get close enough for him to drag them inside. For whatever reason, Michael chooses to spare the life of a young man named Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell), and the two form an unexpected partnership with Corey luring in new victims for Michael. Corey then betrays Michael by stealing his mask, using the fear of Michael Myers to carry out his own Haddonfield killing spree, primarily targeting those who did him wrong in a manner reminiscent of Christine.

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While the movie has a definitive ending, the way the film introduces a new killer who’s influenced by Michael Myers does leave the door open for the story to continue. In a new interview with THR, director David Gordon Green addressed the film’s writing process, noting how it wasn’t intentional to set up any sequels. The idea was to surprise the audience by doing something to “shake it up” instead of something that feels “a little stagnant or cliché.” From the interview:

Michael Myers Lives On?

     Universal Pictures

Green also touched on the inspiration for bringing in a new character like Corey Cunningham in the first place. He thought of how the daily onslaught of depressing news is something that can contribute to someone breaking down mentally, as this is something he’s observed in friends. That observation led to the tonal shift in Halloween Ends.

The filmmaker then goes on to explain how Corey in particular, as someone suffering from PTSD from his own horrifying Halloween night tragedy, would be affected by something like the mass hysteria associated with a local serial killer like Michael Myers.

Halloween Ends is playing in theaters and on Peacock.