Slasher is an extremely lucrative subgenre in horror. From Scream, 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 of Halloween, 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 how Halloween II defines the slasher genre today.
Returning Final Girl
Universal Pictures
Jamie Lee Curtis is the horror genre’s established “The Scream Queen.” While The Fog, Prom Night, and Terror Train solidified Curtis as “The Scream Queen,” Halloween 2 introduced 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 in A Nightmare on Elm Street Parts 4 and 5, and the iconic Sidney Prescott, who has survived every Scream installment.
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“We’re Family!”
The original Halloween introduces audiences 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 II goes 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 as Scream 3, where Ghostface is revealed to be Sidney’s half- brother, Roman. Halloween itself uses it for its following sequels Halloween 4, Halloween 5, Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, and Halloween: H20 (a direct sequel to Halloween 2).
The Gore
Halloween’s magic is its ability to scare audiences without gratuitous violence. Halloween II not 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’s kills are reworked in slashers such as Friday the 13th: Part 2, 2006’s Black Christmas, Scream 4 and even another sequel in the franchise, Halloween: H20.
He’s Behind You!
Just about every slasher has a “He’s Behind You” moment. While this is introduced in the original Halloween every time Michael attacks Laurie and her friends, it’s taken up a notch in Halloween 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 II created this horror troupe. From all the hospital chase scenes in slasher history, Halloween II’s is 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’s score is as iconic as the series itself. Halloween II reinvents the melody 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 original Halloween’s score is revamped in a truly macabre manner for Halloween II. Some slashers that have followed in Halloween II’s footsteps include the Scream series, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2003, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, all of which provide excellent scores that are often refined with each sequel.
A Sequel’s Success
Halloween II exemplifies a sequel’s full potential. Starting off a low-budget horror flick, Halloween turned into arguably the 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: the Scream series, Terrifier, Rob Zombie’s Halloween remakes, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remakes and sequels, and many more in the making. Halloween 2 demonstrates that a sequel can be as successful as its original source work, and in some instances, even better.
