The Gruesome Accuracy: David Gordon Green's Halloween Movies Master the Art of Disgust

The Big Picture

By skillfully depicting Michael Myers' anger and employing practical effects, David Gordon Green's Halloween trilogy effectively revitalized the chilling essence of this character. Christopher Nelson, the makeup artist, expertly crafted a mask that authentically replicated the iconic '78 mask, while also conveying its aged appearance.

The violence and bloodshed depicted in the movies, while highly intense, contributed to the horrifying authenticity of Michael Myers' murders. Under the guidance of Christopher Nelson, the practical effects team crafted scenes that were hauntingly lifelike, resulting in indelible moments.

Halloween Kills escalated the number of casualties and introduced startling sequences that pushed the limits of the franchise. The film showcased a significant death toll, featuring inventive and savage killings. The initial and concluding scenes of Halloween Ends were exceptionally jarring and exemplified the franchise's audacity to embrace risks.

Michael Myers and the Halloween franchise lay dormant for nearly a decade until David Gordon Green resurrected it in 2018. His first film in a new trilogy, simply titled Halloween, was a triumphant return, fear-inducing with James Jude Courtney as Michael Myers and featuring the return of Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode. The subsequent movies, Halloween Kills (2021) and Halloween Ends (2022), have garnered their fair share of fans and critics. Some appreciate the risks taken, while others are disappointed by the excessive violence and confusing storytelling in the final installment.

Regardless of one's opinion on the trilogy's creative aspects, David Gordon Green undeniably left his mark. In a refreshing departure from previous iterations, he successfully captured the true essence of the Boogeyman, instilling genuine fear rather than mockery. While his films are undeniably violent and gruesome, the practical effects used in the kill scenes appear alarmingly authentic. Whether one loves or loathes Green's portrayal of the Shape, it is an unforgettable rendition. Abbie Bernstein's book, Halloween: The Official Making of Halloween, Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends, published by Titan Books, delves deep into the production of Green's trilogy. Among its most intriguing sections is the exploration of the practical effects utilized to create the shockingly realistic rage of Michael Myers.

Halloween (2018), released by Universal Pictures, revolves around the enduring battle between Laurie Strode and her relentless adversary, Michael Myers. Laurie has been tormented by this masked killer ever since narrowly surviving his murderous rampage on Halloween night forty years ago.

'Halloween's Effects Had to Accurately Portray Michael Myers' Rage

The Michael Myers portrayed in the 2018 Halloween film is characterized by intense anger. Having been incarcerated for four decades, this version of Michael is like a tightly wound animal set free. In order to accurately depict the extent of his rage, director David Gordon Green required a talented team capable of creating realistic effects. It was crucial for audiences to witness Michael's capabilities and find them believable; otherwise, there was a risk of reducing the terrifying Boogeyman to a mere joke once again.

The mask was the easiest and most effective way to prevent Michael from becoming a joke. Many sequels failed to capture the essence, but this Halloween succeeded, thanks to the talented makeup artist, Christopher Nelson. Nelson, who won an Oscar for his work on Suicide Squad, reveals in Bernstein's book that he used the original William Shatner mask as a reference. Sculpting over James Jude Courtney's life cast, Nelson was able to create a new Myers mask. To give it an aged appearance, the sculpt itself did most of the work, but paint was used to make it look worn and dirty. The result was a perfect replica of the iconic '78 mask, instantly restoring the fear factor to Michael Myers. Now, Christopher Nelson had to terrify audiences by showcasing Michael's abilities.

Throughout the 2018 Halloween film, we witness several scenes that display the sheer power of Michael's carnage. One such scene involves the escape of the prison bus, where we witness a man with a gruesomely twisted and broken neck. Nelson's team created a full silicone dummy with a terrified expression, referred to as a "death shriek." Although we do not witness the man's actual death, just catching a glimpse of him sends shivers down our spines. Another notable kill occurs in the gas station scene, where we find a dead attendant in his office, his jaw ripped wide open. What makes this scene impressive is that it is not a silicone dummy, but rather an actor wearing a complete prosthetic. According to David Gordon Green, as mentioned in Bernstein's book, the realism of the prosthetic is truly terrifying, allowing the camera to come mere inches away from capturing the horror.

'Halloween Kills' Upped the Body Count and Reintroduced Us to Dr. Loomis

Graphic footage captures the chaos caused by the Shape, along with some gruesome deaths shown on screen. Among these, the most horrific is the demise of Dr. Sartain, with Michael mercilessly crushing his skull like a pumpkin. Nelson revealed the behind-the-scenes trickery, explaining that the artificial head was filled with copious amounts of fake blood and tofu. Surprisingly enough, Michael's most gruesome kill is actually a treat for vegans.