Analysis of Halloween

1. Analysis of Halloween
Halloween is a Horror/Slasher independent movie directed by John Carpenter in 1978, the
movie demonstrates the point of view of a serial killer. This is presented throughout the film
starting from the beginning when he violently murders his sister when he is only a child; the
movie then narrates that after 15 years of imprisonment he escapes to return to his small
town in Illinois to look for his new victims.
The opening of Halloween starts with non-digetic what creates a sound bridge between the
title sequence and the opening scene, this is effective as the music is dark and ominous this
creates tension within the audience. The music blendes well with the black background
within the title sequence as it don’t reveal anything towards the audience which is effective
as it puts the audience on edge. The music builds up incessant and this links to a repeat of
motive as there is a repeat of a minor key throughout the music segment, this is successful
as it creates anxiety and places the audience in an uncomfortable position as the music
becomes to consistent.
The Jack-O-Lantern within the title sequence is effective as it connotes evil and ghostly
things; this is also a genre signifier as these particular themes correspond with traditional
horror movies and their narratives. The zoom into the flickering flame within the Jack-O-
Lantern is effective as it creates an illusion of looking into someone’s mind, what relates
well with theme of observing the point of view of a killer. The connotation of the flickering
flame is of the fires within hell as it relates to the genre of the filmand creates fear within
the viewer as most people are afraid of the afterlife. The opening shot (2:25) in the opening
scene is a POV shot what is effective towards the audience as it reveals the eyes of the killer
what is an unusual technique as it makes the viewer uncomfortable, therefore this creates
tension and aids the opening to build up enigma throughout the scene.
The POV shot is unusual as the individual the viewer is observing is silent as they cannot
hear any footsteps or speech, this creates a spiritual quality about the killer as he relates to
be ghost like as he observes others without anyone one realizing he’s there. The shot then
takes the killer within the house what creates a connection between the character and
environment as it is clear he has been there before as he knows where he’s going. This has a
strong similar theme of another filmcalled ‘Peeping Tom’ as they both share the exploration
of the themes of Scopophilia as it presents the characters seem to gain sexual pleasure of
watching others. Again this presents a connection between the character and a spiritual
quality as it is portrays the character to gain a thrill of watching others while not being seen.
The mask the killer puts on is an abnormal but effective opening as the audience cannot
make out what is currently happening within the scene; therefore this is effective as it
creates enigma within the audience. The mask is also seemed to be glorified what creates a
foreshadow for later within the film as it is clear the mask represents the killers identify, this
is another genre signifier as a traditional horror movie characteristic is that the killer is

2. usually hidden or disfigured what aids the creation of enigma and anxiety to see the killers
face. I also believe the use of the clown suit is effective due to the wide spread common fear
within many people, and they are also generally associated with evil individuals throughout
the horror genre.
The frequent use of long shots is effective as it is a traditional shot type within the horror
genre as it reveals more than one thing among the screen what the audience can physically
focus upon, these are usually effective throughout this genre as they usually specialise with
frightening pop ups in tense scenes throughout the films. The only close up throughout the
opening scene is the knife this seemed yet again to glorify it and present the object as being
significant, I personally believe that the director chose to do this to foreshadow the
narrative throughout the remainder of the film.
The victim is within the traditional horror filmtheme as she is portrayed as a young hopeless
female, the fact that she is naked represents her to be even more vulnerable. This is
effective as it connects the audience to the victim in a psychological form as the viewer
starts to imagine being confronted when they are most vulnerable, and the fact that the
victim knew the killer frightens the viewer even more as it contaminates the view of trust
among friends and family. The women is also seen brushing her hair what sexualises her and
follows the typical conventions of a slasher movie as teens are usually murdered after
having sex.
When the killer is finally revealed there is more lighting what creates the illusion of
exposure, this is effective as it makes the audience enlightened with relief. The fact that the
killer is a child is abnormal as children are usually portrayed as being good and innocent, this
is effective as it is a clear example of how Halloween conventions of a typical Horror movie.
Halloween has become a marking stone within the horror genre as it connected to the
audience in an effective way, while breaking all the typical conventions of a horror created
by previous films.
To conclude Halloween is effective as it follows and breaks the typical conventions of
horrors by using classical shot types such as long shots; however the use of a child killer
creates enigma and disorientates the audience entirely. Halloween has became a stepping
stone for the horror genre we know today but it also aided the birth of the sub-genre of
horror ‘Slasher’ alongside with other great similar horror movies released at the same
period of time like ‘Friday the 13th’ and ‘Nightmare on elm street’.