Happy month of Halloween, folks! And what better way to celebrate the month of scares and joy than to dive head first into a scary flick? So for this month, we’ll be reviewing a different horror movie each week! With that said, who doesn’t love a good slasher? And unfortunately, with so many slasher franchises out there, it’s no secret that some (or most) of these movies are…how should I say? Recycled and dull. But every now and again, we have a film that breathes some new life into the subgenre. Which leads to this week’s entry: Final Girl Halloween directed by MJ Pallo and Andrew Arguello.
High schooler Erin Severson (played by Krystal Lynn) suffers from PTSD after witnessing a gruesome massacre claim the lives of many of her friends, including her boyfriend Bobby (played by Jasmeet Baduwalia). Despite going to extensive therapy, she still struggles to adjust to her normal life. Upon returning the school, her classmates brutally prank her by pretending to be the killer. Meanwhile, Detective Hawkes (played by Dan Morrison) and the police department work tirelessly to find the identity of the killer, with some even suspecting Erin since she’s the sole survivor. But as Halloween nears, the real killer soon emerges, ready to finish what they started.
I’m no stranger to slasher movies. Hell, the very first horror movie I watched (that actually gave me nightmares of a certain someone until I was 14) was Freddy vs. Jason. But very few of them do what Final Girl Halloween does: address the traumatic aftermath of a massacre. I know there are some exceptions (Laurie Strode in Halloween and Nancy Thompson in A Nightmare on Elm Street), but they are few and far in between. The very first scene takes place at the end of what happens in most slashers, leading me to think it took place in median res. But little did I know what I thought was the end is actually the beginning of the true terror. We see how Erin is affected by the deaths of her friends and her fear when she finds out the killer is back. She doesn’t go arming herself with a shotgun and booby trapping her house, rather she’s racked up with guilt and terror.
Going off on that thought, Krystal Lynn really sold the role of Erin. She can perfectly convey sadness, fear and anger just through her voice while simultaneously remain strong throughout the stress and trauma she endures. I was really surprised when I saw that she only has a few roles besides Final Halloween Girl, she really has what it takes to become huge! My one “complaint” was that she seemed unable to truly cry, even when it would’ve been completely appropriate to do so. But once you reach the third act, you’ll realize that “complaint” actually makes her acting even more multifaceted. She’s not just acting out a character, she truly understood Erin on a deeper level.
I’ve seen movies with decently sized budgets that look horrible. Conversely, I’ve seen movies with shoestring budgets that look amazing. And for a production of only $20,000, Final Girl Halloween is really professionally made! Not only are the cinematography and sound very professional, but they help convey both terror and suspense. The camera cuts are smooth and scenes seamlessly transition from one to the next, without leaving me confused. Additionally, the film knowns when to use close-ups to keep you on edge right before the film throws a jump scare your way. But unlike some horror flicks, Final Girl Halloween actually makes seldom use of jump scares. Rather, it relies on minimalism. Whenever the killer shows up, we are shown a small glimpse into their identity. It’s enough for us to make a guess on who they are, but not enough to be outright shown anything. And I’d rather have it that way.
Now I can understand high schoolers being cruel. I would know, I was also in high school (and it sucked). But kids being cruel enough to prank a traumatized girl who witnessed her friend’s being killed? Going so far as to even host a Halloween party with a tasteless game of hide and seek reenacting the events? I find that hard to believe. Maybe the times have changed. I mean, I’ve been out of high school for eight years. And most of the high schoolers felt like one-dimensional tropes you’d find in any John Hughes movie. You have your mean girls, the asshole bullies and the annoying nerds. And unsurprisingly, most of them end up dead. Hell, the whole lot of them are so annoying that even Detective Hawkes cussed them out by the third act!
I won’t talk too much about the ending as to not give anything away. Compared to some other films out there (horror or not), the twist ending will certainly throw you in for a loop. But upon thinking it through, there are elements that don’t really add up. The movie really takes you for a trip as you guess who the killer could be only to confuse you with its reveal. Although this is far from one of the worst twist endings I’ve seen (this piece of shit deserves that honor), it does leave more to be desired. Compared to the rest of the movie, the ending really felt like the weakest link and even takes you out of the experience.
Although Final Girl Halloween isn’t my go-to slasher or even horror film for this month of Halloween, it is certainly one of the more memorable ones I’ve seen. I’m still thinking about the film even after two days. Considering the only other movies that make me do that are Blade Runner 2049 and Dune (1 and 2) to name a few, that speaks volumes. If you are looking for a slasher that takes a different approach to the slasher subgenre this month of Halloween, then Final Girl Halloween might be the right movie for you! With a stellar production value and powerful performances, specifically by Krystal Lynn, Final Girl Halloween will be sure to keep you on the edge of your seat from both the suspense and scares!
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