Halloween II: A Slice of Nostalgic Terror

Gather round, film friends. Let me take y’all on a trip down memory lane—Halloween II, the spooky sequel where Jamie Lee Curtis faces off against the relentless Michael Myers again. It’s like stepping into a horror time capsule, and I’ve got some mixed bag feelings about it!

From the mind of John Carpenter and Debra Hill, this 1981 thriller picks up right where the first one leaves off, which is both a blessing and a bit of a curse. The night isn’t over for Laurie Strode, and her run-in with Myers continues. Donald Pleasence returns as the relentless Dr. Loomis, and his intensity is pure gold—kinda like Jussi Björling hitting those opera notes.

I remember a crispy autumn evening back in Stockholm, maybe ’85 or so, there I was, a young’un wrapped in a blanket on the sofa. My older cousin popped Halloween II into the VHS player. I was sceptical—but curious. It smelled of freshly made popcorn, and the darkness of the room seemed to blur the line between reality and screen. Truly, one of those evenings you look back on with half a cringe, half a smile.

Now back to the film—Rick Rosenthal, who directed, gives it a good shot, but Carpenter’s absence behind the camera is felt. The eerie authenticity of the first film is sometimes watered down, and some scenes are maybe more eye-roll than hair-raising. But look, it’s still a wild ride!

Maybe it’s the nostalgic part of me, but there’s something bloodily charming about Halloween II. It’s like Surströmming—smells a bit iffy but delivers a unique experience. There’s a certain comfort in its slasher formula—it oddly reminds us of simpler times.

In conclusion, Halloween II is worth a night in, a bowl of popcorn, and a cozy blanket. Just don’t go expecting cinematic enlightenment. Pop it in, turn out the lights, and have a laugh—or a scream—and you’ll see.

Check the trailer below