Every genre has cliches, but how well does a Friday the 13th film follow the Slasher film rules?
The following analysis may contain spoilers for
HALLOWEEN: THE CURSE OF MICHEAL MYERS (1995)
RULE #1
The Unheeded Warning.
"Please, please. No, no stop that. What the hell is going on tonight? Every loony in the state is calling. What is it? A full moon? Oh, man, I guess Halloween brings out all the wackos. I can't wait until we get to Haddonfield." ~ Barry Simms
1a. Warnings will not be believed...
i. Source - Mostly the radio show.
ii. Dismissable - The radio DJ Barry Simms specifically dismisses the callers.
iii. Authorities - Actually have shut down Halloween celebrations for years, but they still don't listen to Dr Loomis.
iv. Crazy - The Barry says the callers are crazy.
1b. Happened before - The radio show, discusses - no, celebrates - the fact that Michael has been on previous killing sprees.
1c. General eeriness - All strobing and screaming, then a woman giving birth in a cult's underground hide out.
1a. Warnings will not be believed...
i. Source - Mostly the radio show.ii. Dismissable - The radio DJ Barry Simms specifically dismisses the callers.iii. Authorities - Actually have shut down Halloween celebrations for years, but they still don't listen to Dr Loomis.iv. Crazy - The Barry says the callers are crazy.
1b. Happened before - The radio show, discusses - no, celebrates - the fact that Michael has been on previous killing sprees.
1c. General eeriness - All strobing and screaming, then a woman giving birth in a cult's underground hide out.
RULE #2
Sex & Nudity.
"Your sister would kill us if she knew we did it in her bed." ~ Beth.
"Hey, it was your idea." ~ Tim Strode.
"I am bad, aren't I?" ~ Beth.
"Hey, it was your idea." ~ Tim Strode.
"I am bad, aren't I?" ~ Beth.
2a. Nudity -
i. Female Nudity - Kara in underwear. Beth topless.
ii. Male Nudity - A naked baby. Tim shirtless.
iii. Nudity Equals Death - Beth and Tim die.
iv. Public vs Private Nudity - No public nudity, though Kara did have her curtains open.
2b. Sex -
i. Death - Tim and Beth have sex, both are killed very soon after. Jamie has a baby (presumably a product of rape) and is killed. Kara has a child, no father is mentioned, but she survives.
ii. Random Sex - None.
iii. Relationship Sex - Tim and Beth are in a relationship.
iv. Rape - Jamie is probably raped prior to the film.
2a. Nudity -
i. Female Nudity - Kara in underwear. Beth topless.ii. Male Nudity - A naked baby. Tim shirtless.iii. Nudity Equals Death - Beth and Tim die.iv. Public vs Private Nudity - No public nudity, though Kara did have her curtains open.
2b. Sex -
i. Death - Tim and Beth have sex, both are killed very soon after. Jamie has a baby (presumably a product of rape) and is killed. Kara has a child, no father is mentioned, but she survives.
ii. Random Sex - None.
iii. Relationship Sex - Tim and Beth are in a relationship.
iv. Rape - Jamie is probably raped prior to the film.
RULE #3
Death will be a punishment for...
"We are not going to allow the powers that be tell us what to do anymore. For years Halloween represented everything wrong with Haddonfield, but Michael Myers is gone. There is no Boogeyman." ~ Beth.
"Dang Tim! Does she get this riled up in the sack? I bet she wears crotchless panties and barks like a dog!" ~ Barry Simms.
Death will be a punishment for...
"We are not going to allow the powers that be tell us what to do anymore. For years Halloween represented everything wrong with Haddonfield, but Michael Myers is gone. There is no Boogeyman." ~ Beth.
"Dang Tim! Does she get this riled up in the sack? I bet she wears crotchless panties and barks like a dog!" ~ Barry Simms.
"Dang Tim! Does she get this riled up in the sack? I bet she wears crotchless panties and barks like a dog!" ~ Barry Simms.
...Transgression.
3a. Sex - The only sex shown is between Tim & Beth. Both are killed soon after. Michael then places them back in the bed together.
3b. Nudity - Beth is killed soon after being shown topless. Tim is probably naked (wearing a towel when killed)
3c. Drinking - N/A.
3d. Drugs - N/A.
3e. Hitchhiking - Jamie steals a vehicle.
3f. Other Criminal Behaviour - Jamie steals a vehicle.
3g. Being annoying/being cowardly/being a sleazy guy - Barry Simms is sleazy. John Strode is a horrible person. What we see of the motorist he does seem nice. The cultists are evil.
3h. Being a bystander - The motorist. The mental patient.
...Transgression.
3a. Sex - The only sex shown is between Tim & Beth. Both are killed soon after. Michael then places them back in the bed together.
3b. Nudity - Beth is killed soon after being shown topless. Tim is probably naked (wearing a towel when killed)
3c. Drinking - N/A.
3d. Drugs - N/A.
3e. Hitchhiking - Jamie steals a vehicle.
3f. Other Criminal Behaviour - Jamie steals a vehicle.
3g. Being annoying/being cowardly/being a sleazy guy - Barry Simms is sleazy. John Strode is a horrible person. What we see of the motorist he does seem nice. The cultists are evil.
3h. Being a bystander - The motorist. The mental patient.
RULE #4
People will die when they go…
"Where do we go?" ~ Kara.
"As far away from Haddonfield as possible." ~ Dr Loomis.
RULE #4
People will die when they go…
"Where do we go?" ~ Kara.
"As far away from Haddonfield as possible." ~ Dr Loomis.
4a. Down to the Basement - Debbie and John Strode were killed in the laundry in the basement.
4b. Upstairs - Tim and Beth were upstairs when killed. Kara was endangered while upstairs.
4c. For a Shower - Tim was killed after getting out of the shower.
4d. Into old sheds or out buildings - None.
4e. Running off to the “safety” of the forest - Jamie is killed doing this.
4f. Anywhere alone - Mostly Kara's thing.
4g. Anywhere Remote, Isolated or Confined - None, except the mental hospital.
4h. Any Old, Abandoned or Presumably Haunted Buildings - The cult is using the abandoned mental hospital as a base.
4a. Down to the Basement - Debbie and John Strode were killed in the laundry in the basement.
4b. Upstairs - Tim and Beth were upstairs when killed. Kara was endangered while upstairs.
4c. For a Shower - Tim was killed after getting out of the shower.
4d. Into old sheds or out buildings - None.
4e. Running off to the “safety” of the forest - Jamie is killed doing this.
4f. Anywhere alone - Mostly Kara's thing.
4g. Anywhere Remote, Isolated or Confined - None, except the mental hospital.
4h. Any Old, Abandoned or Presumably Haunted Buildings - The cult is using the abandoned mental hospital as a base.
RULE #5
The Order of Death
"Beth look out there's someone in the room, he's right behind you!" ~ Kara.
5a. The First Person on Screen - Jamie Lloyd, the final girl from the previous film is the first to appear, but it is a nurse who is the first to die (it is possible that you see the nurse's hand when you first see Jamie, but that's stretching things a little.)
5b. The Black Man dies First - None.
5c. The Stoner - None.
5d. The Bimbo - Beth has sex, but mostly seems like a strong female character.
5e. The Nerdy/Funny Guy – Barry tries, but isn't.
5f. Macho jerks - Barry Simms, John Strode. Both die.
5g. The Strong Female Character - Beth, perhaps portrayed at times as a little bit of an activist shrew and thus "deserving" death. The nurse is part of an evil cult, but saves Jamie. Jamie herself, moreso in previous films. Kara. Only Kara lives.
5h. The Protector - Dr Loomis again, though he does little. Tommy Doyle a lot.
5i. The Sensitive Guy - Tommy Doyle, but in a creepy af way. Tim Strode mainly. Tommy lives, Tim dies.
5j. Children and animals – Danny Strode and the baby. Both live.
5k. The Final Girl - Either Kara or Tommy. Tommy does the final kill.
- (64) Nurse. [G]
- (65) The motorist. [F]
- (66) Debra Strode.
- (67) John Strode. [F]
- (68) Barry Simm. [F]
- (69) Tim Stode. [I]
- (70) Beth. [D]/[F]
- (80) Patient.
- (81 - 89) Medical team & Dr Wynn.
5a. The First Person on Screen - Jamie Lloyd, the final girl from the previous film is the first to appear, but it is a nurse who is the first to die (it is possible that you see the nurse's hand when you first see Jamie, but that's stretching things a little.)
5b. The Black Man dies First - None.
5c. The Stoner - None.
5d. The Bimbo - Beth has sex, but mostly seems like a strong female character.
5e. The Nerdy/Funny Guy – Barry tries, but isn't.
5f. Macho jerks - Barry Simms, John Strode. Both die.
5g. The Strong Female Character - Beth, perhaps portrayed at times as a little bit of an activist shrew and thus "deserving" death. The nurse is part of an evil cult, but saves Jamie. Jamie herself, moreso in previous films. Kara. Only Kara lives.
5h. The Protector - Dr Loomis again, though he does little. Tommy Doyle a lot.
5i. The Sensitive Guy - Tommy Doyle, but in a creepy af way. Tim Strode mainly. Tommy lives, Tim dies.
5j. Children and animals – Danny Strode and the baby. Both live.
5k. The Final Girl - Either Kara or Tommy. Tommy does the final kill.
- (64) Nurse. [G]
- (65) The motorist. [F]
- (66) Debra Strode.
- (67) John Strode. [F]
- (68) Barry Simm. [F]
- (69) Tim Stode. [I]
- (70) Beth. [D]/[F]
- (80) Patient.
- (81 - 89) Medical team & Dr Wynn.
RULE #6
Especially When They Are Most Needed, The Following Things Cannot Be Relied On…
"Go back to your loony bin. I've got enough problems around here without you stirring up ghost stories." ~ Sheriff.
...Anything. But especially:
6a. Communications devices - Phones worked fine.
6b. Lighting - Didn't work much.
6c. Vehicular Transport - Barry was killed in a car, that's about it.
6d. Your Own Legs - Jamie a little.
6e. The Authorities - Dr Wynn is an authority figure, but actually evil.
6f. Weapons - Mostly not an issue.
6g. Escape Routes - Bars stopping escape from mental hospital.
"Go back to your loony bin. I've got enough problems around here without you stirring up ghost stories." ~ Sheriff.
...Anything. But especially:
6a. Communications devices - Phones worked fine.
6b. Lighting - Didn't work much.
6c. Vehicular Transport - Barry was killed in a car, that's about it.
6d. Your Own Legs - Jamie a little.
6e. The Authorities - Dr Wynn is an authority figure, but actually evil.
6f. Weapons - Mostly not an issue.
6g. Escape Routes - Bars stopping escape from mental hospital.
RULE #7
The Final Girl
"Michael, your final sacrifice." ~ Dr. Wynn.
Kara Strode is the main female protagonist and survives, however, it is Tommy who finally "kills" Michael.
"Michael, your final sacrifice." ~ Dr. Wynn.
Kara Strode is the main female protagonist and survives, however, it is Tommy who finally "kills" Michael.
Tommy Doyle.
7a. Final - One of the survivors.
7b. Girl - No.
7c. Boyish - Male.
7d. Well Drawn -
7e. Virginal & innocent - A bit of a creepy peeping Tommy, but otherwise yes.
7f. Will be reborn - A little.
7a. Final - One of the survivors.
7b. Girl - No.
7c. Boyish - Male.
7d. Well Drawn -
i. Intelligent - Yes.
ii. Curious & vigilant - Yes.
iii. Talented - Perhaps.
iv. Has a dark past - Survived the events of the original film.
v. Have/gain inner strength - Has it most of the film.
7e. Virginal & innocent - A bit of a creepy peeping Tommy, but otherwise yes.
7f. Will be reborn - A little.
RULE #8
The Killer has a Connection to…
"When Michael Myers was six years old, he stabbed hs sister to death. He was locked up for years in Smith's Grove Sanitarium, but he escaped. Soon after, Halloween became another word for mayhem! One by one, he killed his entire family, until his nine-year-old niece, Jamie Lloyd, was the only one left alive. Six years ago - Halloween night - Michael and Jamie vanished." ~ Tommy Doyle.
"When Michael Myers was six years old, he stabbed hs sister to death. He was locked up for years in Smith's Grove Sanitarium, but he escaped. Soon after, Halloween became another word for mayhem! One by one, he killed his entire family, until his nine-year-old niece, Jamie Lloyd, was the only one left alive. Six years ago - Halloween night - Michael and Jamie vanished." ~ Tommy Doyle.
Michael Meyers
8a. The Location - Haddonfield, his family home and the mental hospital.
8b. The Final Girl - Tommy was chased by Michael in the original film.
8c. The Protector - Dr Loomis, is psycharist returns.
8d. The Other Victims - One is his niece, three actual victims and one potential victim are related to the family who adopted his sister (and live in his family home).
8e. Femininity - No.
8f. A Specific Look - His ongoing overalls and a William Shatner mask
8g. A Specific Weapon - Whatever comes to hand.
8h. The Camera - Yes.
8b. The Final Girl - Tommy was chased by Michael in the original film.
8c. The Protector - Dr Loomis, is psycharist returns.
8d. The Other Victims - One is his niece, three actual victims and one potential victim are related to the family who adopted his sister (and live in his family home).
8e. Femininity - No.
8g. A Specific Weapon - Whatever comes to hand.
8h. The Camera - Yes.
RULE #9
Evil Never Dies
"Michael's work is not finished in Haddonfield. And soon, very soon, he'll come back." ~ Tommy Doyle.
9a. You Always Have to Kill the Bad Guy Twice - Killed at least once in the mental hospital.
9b. Even then the Bad Guy lives on - Although he appears to have been killed, when Dr Loomis returns the mask lying on the ground.
9c. Evil is Immortal - So it seems.
"Michael's work is not finished in Haddonfield. And soon, very soon, he'll come back." ~ Tommy Doyle.
9a. You Always Have to Kill the Bad Guy Twice - Killed at least once in the mental hospital.
9b. Even then the Bad Guy lives on - Although he appears to have been killed, when Dr Loomis returns the mask lying on the ground.
9c. Evil is Immortal - So it seems.
RULE #10
The Sequel Will Be Bigger/More Formulaic
"I was only 8 years old when I saw him... but I was one of the lucky ones. I survived." ~ Tommy Doyle.
10a. They will follow the rules more - Less than the previous films.
10b. They will be more formulaic - The first two-thirds follows the basic formula, but the last third is about escaping the cult's hideout (though it is a hospital style setting like the second film).
10c. There will be more T&A - More than the previous film.
10d. There will be more and bigger deaths of the victims - Not really, all quite small deaths.
10e. The killer’s death will be bigger - No.
10f. The killer will be less real - His final survival was the most unnatural thing. The cult thing and the assumption of the curse is talked about but not proven. More unreal than the original film, but realer than the previous films.
10a. They will follow the rules more - Less than the previous films.
10b. They will be more formulaic - The first two-thirds follows the basic formula, but the last third is about escaping the cult's hideout (though it is a hospital style setting like the second film).
10c. There will be more T&A - More than the previous film.
10d. There will be more and bigger deaths of the victims - Not really, all quite small deaths.
10e. The killer’s death will be bigger - No.
10f. The killer will be less real - His final survival was the most unnatural thing. The cult thing and the assumption of the curse is talked about but not proven. More unreal than the original film, but realer than the previous films.
Results
"Beth, who's that guy that lives across the hall from you?" ~ Kara.
"Why? You interested?" ~ Beth.
"No. He's always staring out of his window. Last night I caught him watching me." ~ Kara.
- The following rules are followed: 1, 2, 4, 8, 9.
- The following rules are partially followed: 3, 5, 6, 7, 10.
~ DUG.
- The following rules are followed: 1, 2, 4, 8, 9.
- The following rules are partially followed: 3, 5, 6, 7, 10.
~ DUG.
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