The Halloween Ends CinemaCon Trailer Previews A Brutal Showdown Between Two Franchise Legends
The first footage from the trilogy topper "Halloween Ends" just came out at Universal's CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas, and it already has people raving about the final showdown between Michael Myers (James Jude Courtney) and Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis). The film follows the massive successes "Halloween" and last year's "Halloween Kills," which ended with a setup for the sequel, as Myers once again manages to scrape out alive (even against an armed mob) and Laurie reaffirms her desire to see the killer put down.
Director David Gordon Green's trilogy concludes with "Halloween Ends" on October 14. After the first movie raked in over $250 million worldwide, reviving the franchise, and the second pulled in $130 million even with a day-and-date Peacock release (via The Numbers), this film is without question one of the most anticipated releases of 2022, especially for horror fans. According to those in attendance, Curtis especially hyped the final installment, saying it will be her character's last stand after numerous appearances (and even multiple deaths) in the franchise.
The footage sounds like it's already messed a few fans up, which is understandable considering that this will be the conclusion to a story John Carpenter began way back in 1978. At CinemaCon, Universal Pictures teased an appropriately brutal end to a brutal franchise.
Halloween Ends teases one massive brawl
The new footage from "Halloween Ends" is a mix of clips from past franchise films, and it ends with a fight that has been decades in the making, according to a Twitter post from Collider's Steven Weintraub. The brawl between Laurie Strode and Michael Myers takes place in a kitchen and features what sounds like some bone-breaking exchanges. Laurie busts out of a closet to attack Myers, and the two get into a bloody scuffle. Myers is able to throw Laurie, but she manages to put a knife through his hand. The footage reportedly ends with a cliffhanger and a big tease, as Laurie holds a knife to Myers, gaining the upper hand, albeit briefly, according to journalist Erik Davis.
The footage has received what seems like universal praise, a good sign for the long-running franchise. "The trailer is legitimately terrifying," Variety's Rebecca Rubin tweeted. Film critic Scott Menzel added that "the trailer for #HalloweenEnds serves as a tribute to the legacy of Laurie Strode and Michael Myers."
Introducing the trailer, Curtis reaffirmed that this will be the end of her character's story. She predicted in a blunt fashion that fans may not be the same after they finally see what is in store for the end. "This Halloween, we will experience Laurie's last stand," she said, as quoted by Davis. "Trust me, it's going to f**k you up."