WHAT WENT WRONG Halloween
Oct 27, 2025
Dive into the chilling world of Halloween as the hosts explore the film's critical role in shaping the slasher genre. They discuss how babysitters embody vulnerability and analyze the unforgettable performances of Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence. Discover John Carpenter's journey from early struggles to iconic success, motivated by unexpected UK fans. Hear how the movie's haunting score created tension and turned it into a cultural phenomenon. It's a thrilling examination of horror's impact and legacy!
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Intentional Mythic Villainy Cements Tone
- John Carpenter and Debra Hill designed Halloween to be a slow-burn, mythic slasher with a faceless villain people project fears onto.
- They intentionally made Michael Myers robotic and Laurie Strode a responsible babysitter to create tension and vulnerability.
Distributor Discovery Sparked Halloween
- Erwin Yablons discovered Carpenter's talent after Assault on Precinct 13 broke out in the UK and pitched a low-budget horror idea.
- That meeting directly led to Halloween's greenlight and the choice to set the film on Halloween night.
Collaboration Blends Humanity And Blank Evil
- Debra Hill wrote the first draft and grounded the film in suburban babysitter experience while Carpenter added the pure-evil concept.
- Their 50/50 collaboration balanced human characters with a blank, projectable killer.
