Halloween (John Carpenter, 1978)

1) How does the start exemplify a common technical code convention of the horror genre?

Halloween style music is used, a long take is also used which is typical of the horror genre, a point of view shot is used to show the scene from the killer’s point of view, this is an example of restricted narration and is a very common form of shot used in horror films. There is a close up of Michael getting the knife out of the drawer and there are parallel music and sounds within the scene.

2) How does the setting fit with the horror genre?

The setting fits with the horror genre as there is paint peeling off the walls of the house and it is boarded up. It is also set in a suburban, quiet area, which is quite typical of the horror genre of that era. It is also set on Halloween night – dark. The character’s own houses are used, this is meant to be a place of comfort where you expect to be safe.

3) What iconography of ‘innocence’ do we hear or see early on?

Children singing Halloween songs

Laurie – Innocent ‘good girl’

4) What was the main industry impact of Halloween?

Halloween was a low budget horror film that was extremely profitable. Due to its success many sequels and copies were made, until the ‘hype’ died down.

5) Name some ‘slasher’ films which followed on from Halloween.

Friday the 13^th, Prom Night, Hell Night, Terror Train, The Slayer and The Burning.

6) What are the four plot rules of the ‘slasher’ film sub – genre which Halloween began?

- A traumatic event in the past creates a psychotic killer.

- The killer returns to the site of the event, usually on a specific date eg. Halloween or Friday 13^th.

-The killer stalks and graphically kills a group of unaware teenagers (usually with a blade).

- A ‘final girl’ usually ‘boyish’ survives and tries to kills the killer although he is never entirely killed.

7) Give three ways in which Laurie is androgynous (shows traits of the opposite gender).

- She has a deep voice compared to the other girls.

- Dresses in a style that is similar to that of a middle aged woman.

- She wears little to no makeup which shows that she 
is not so worried about her looks.

8) What does the extract mean by ‘a reactionary sexual agenda’?

It means that the people who were having sex were usually killed afterwards, suggesting that it was some form of punishment.

9) How does the director, John Carpenter, counter the suggestion that Halloween had a reactionary sexual agenda?

- He says that teenagers do not pay attention and are distracted, hence them being aware to the killers’ presence.

- He also says that it was not a form of punishment.

10) Why does Mike Myers kill his sister?

Dr Loomis (Mike's psychiatrist) describes Mike as ‘evil’ and like nothing he's ever seen before.