Laurie and Michael Come Face to Terrifying Face in New Halloween Trailer

Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is a force of nature. Forty years after her first encounter with the Shape, she has evolved from an unsuspecting target of his bloodlust to a confident protector. The new Halloween trailer reveals how the game has changed since the last time Laurie and Michael (James Jude Courtney) met. Almost all of this footage is new and it’s all unequivocally awesome.

There is a major power shift here through the camera movement alone. The trailer opens with a callback to young boys who don’t recognize the masked man they bump into. It’s one of the best moments of the original and worthy of homage. Yet, seconds later we get the real shock of this trailer. A clear and prolonged reveal of Michael, himself, then we follow him as he chooses a murder weapon and begins the slaughter. The 1978 original was striking for the extensive killer POV shots. Now, we watch Michael in action and get a new perspective on the masked madman.

Seeing more of the killer really highlights his psychopathy. He doesn’t hide. There are no sudden movements. Just a slow, constant pursuit and a silent execution. In the original, no one truly believed the ‘boogeyman’ was out there. Now, even hiding in fear, locking the doors, and being armed is no protection. The way Michael can penetrate their defense with ease is the most terrifying reveal.

Before having a personal encounter with Michael, Laurie herself was a skeptic. Now, daughter Karen (Judy Greer) fills the role. Accusing her mother of paranoia, she fails to prepare for the danger lurking in Haddonfield. Laurie is luckily single-minded and unfazed by the accusations. She has seen evil and this time, she’s prepared.

Halloween premieres at Toronto Film Festival later this week and we’ll fill you in on all the gory details. The movie opens in theaters October 19.

Featured Image: In “Halloween,” JAMIE LEE CURTIS returns to her iconic role as Laurie Strode, who comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago. Photo Credit: Ryan Green