Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers
HORROR-THON 2024 • SEEING RED
3/10
DIRECTOR: Joe Chappelle
STARRING: Donald Pleasence, Paul Rudd, Marianne Hagan
RELEASED: 1995
RUNTIME: 1 hr, 27 minutes
WATCH ON: Paramount+, AMC+, Hulu, HBO Max
SCARE LEVEL: Low
CULT: Unnecessary
For years, this was the Halloween of legend. There was the version in theaters, and then there was the Producer’s Cut, which fans passed around on bootleg VHS tapes for decades. AMC didn’t even show this one during Fear Fest. Having finally watched it, I can tell you why it stayed on VHS.
Six years after Michael Myers last terrorized Haddonfield, his niece Jamie Lloyd escapes from a mysterious compound with her newborn baby. Michael is right behind her. So is a cult that wants the baby.
Back in Haddonfield, a new family lives in the old Myers house, because of course, they do. Tommy Doyle, the little boy Laurie babysat in 1978, is now grown up, obsessed with Michael, and played by a very young Paul Rudd. Dr. Loomis comes out of retirement one last time. And the movie finally explains why Michael keeps coming back. The explanation involves runes and a cult.
MY HUMBLE OPINION
The big reveal is that Jamie’s uncle joined a cult. As you do, apparently, when you repeatedly break out of the asylum.
Yes, Paul Rudd was in a Halloween movie. No, it doesn’t help it in any way, shape or form. He’s playing the same Tommy Doyle that Anthony Michael Hall would later play in Halloween Kills.
It’s also peak ‘90s clichés: flashing strobe edits, a shock-jock radio DJ, and a mix of grunge and moody blue lighting everywhere.
It was Donald Pleasence’s final film as Dr. Loomis, which is the saddest part. He deserved a better send-off.
FUN FACT FOR YOUR NEXT DINNER PARTY
Most of the cast and crew of Halloween 6 disowned the movie. They believed the studio, producers, and director interfered and argued to a ridiculous point that the final product ended up poorly directed and edited. Donald Pleasence also passed away, heading into re-shoots, making it more difficult. They all vowed never to make a Halloween movie again.