Halloween

8.6

A unanimous horror masterpiece is rightfully the titular film to watch on the holiday. The film isn't flashy or blood-soaked or all that scary. The performances are too, nothing special. Still, its influence stretches across the genre, essentially creating the slasher flick. Noteworthy take-aways from the picture include the killer point-of-view camera and a stoic killer that left room for the audience to interpret the horror as they saw fit. In my opinion, the importance of the film stems from the setting of the film and how it was photographed. The true horror of the picture is the fact that it takes place in an ordinary neighborhood amongst rows of sleeping suburban families. Decades later, Paranormal Activity will find success using a similar concept.

The driving force of the film's horror is how suburbia is photographed. The film is seemingly lit entirely by in-house lamps and overhead lights. There is something raw and horrific about a killer illuminated by the very same desk lamps and porch lights in your own home. In essence, it makes the horror palpable and real. This effect culminates when Michael Myers tears open a family closet, lit by a stark overhead lightbulb. We recognize this closet as our own. The horror has invaded the one place we least expected. Our homes.