Welcome back to Spooktober, dear readers! Day 23’s movie is…
Title: Halloween H20: 20 Years Later
Directed By: Steve Miner
Release Date: August 5, 1998
Where to Watch: Paramount+, Youtube TV, Amazon Prime Video, AMC+
Synopsis: Two decades after surviving a massacre on October 31, 1978, Laurie Strode finds herself hunted by Michael Myers once again. Laurie now lives in Northern California under an assumed name, where she works as the headmistress of a private school. But it's not far enough to escape Myers, who soon discovers her whereabouts. As Halloween descends upon Laurie's peaceful community, a feeling of dread weighs upon her -- with good reason.
Non-spoiler thoughts: I love the Halloween franchise so much as a whole. The franchise can feel like a choose-your-path adventure because there are so many different films. Today’s movie may be dubbed random to some in this franchise, but if you’re a slasher fan like myself, you’ll enjoy this 2000s film.
WARNING: The following summary contains SPOILERS.
You have been warned…
![Interview] Chris Durand on Being the 'H20' Generation's Michael Myers - Halloween Daily News](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zHGL!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdb9a788c-a73f-4636-8388-cedcf30691f7_664x427.jpeg "Interview] Chris Durand on Being the 'H20' Generation's Michael Myers - Halloween Daily News")
Nearly two decades have passed since Michael Myers escaped from Smith's Grove and returned to Haddonfield with the intent of killing his sister, Laurie Strode. After a devastating explosion at Haddonfield Memorial Hospital, orchestrated by Dr. Sam Loomis, Michael's body was presumed dead—until now.
On October 29, 1998, Marion Wittington, Loomis' former colleague, returns to their shared home in Langdon, Illinois, only to find it ransacked and Laurie's file missing. Seeking help from her teenage neighbor, Jimmy, she soon discovers that he and his friend, Tony, have been brutally murdered by Michael. Tragically, Marion becomes his next victim as she attempts to escape. Michael drives away in Jimmy's car just as the police arrive on the scene.
In Summer Glen, California, Laurie—now living under the alias "Keri Tate"—has faked her death to evade Michael. She has built a new life with her son, John, and serves as headmistress at Hillcrest Academy, supported by her secretary, Norma, and her boyfriend, Will, the school’s guidance counselor. Despite her efforts to lead a normal life, Laurie battles chronic nightmares and alcoholism, constantly fearing her brother will find her.
Meanwhile, having stolen another vehicle after getting a flat tire, Michael sets his sights on Laurie. When she forbids John from joining his classmates on a trip to Yosemite, convinced danger looms, he initially agrees. However, after a heated argument, she changes her mind, only for him to decide to stay behind with friends Molly, Charlie, and Sarah for a Halloween party.
As the faculty and students depart, security guard Ronny Jones discovers Michael’s stolen truck at the school. Unbeknownst to him, Michael has already entered the premises. Laurie confides in Will, realizing the terrifying connection between her age during Michael's first attack and John's current age. When the phones go down, and she learns that John is still at the academy, she grabs a revolver and teams up with Will and Ronny to find him.
Chaos ensues when Michael brutally kills Charlie and Sarah. John and Molly find themselves in a life-threatening encounter, and while John defends Molly, he gets injured. They are saved by Laurie, who is finally forced to confront Michael after twenty years.
In a series of harrowing events, Will accidentally shoots Ronny, mistaking him for Michael, before Michael kills Will. Laurie manages to stun Michael long enough to help John and Molly escape, but she knows he will never stop hunting her. Resolute, she locks the gate behind them, arms herself with an axe, and prepares for a final showdown.
In a tense battle, Laurie stabs Michael multiple times and shoves him off a balcony. Just as she prepares to deliver the final blow, a wounded Ronny stops her, believing Michael is dead. However, Laurie is all too aware of her brother's resilience.
As the authorities arrive, Michael is loaded into a coroner's van, seemingly lifeless. Driven by vengeance, Laurie steals a police officer's gun and hijacks the van. When Michael awakens and attacks her, she crashes the vehicle, sending him crashing through the windshield.
In their ultimate confrontation, Laurie escapes the van as it tumbles down an embankment, leaving Michael pinned. As they reach for one another, Laurie feels a moment of pity before raising her axe and decapitating him. As sirens wail in the distance, she closes her eyes, breathing deeply as the screen fades to black.
