The opening sequence of Halloween establishes Michael's troubled family dynamics. It shows him killing his pet rat while wearing a clown mask, symbolizing his budding violent tendencies. A fight between Michael's mother and stepfather exposes problems in the home. His sister seeks attention through revealing clothing due to neglect from the family focused on the baby. Michael hides killing the rat from his family but grows angry at his stepfather.

1. Analysis of opening sequence of Halloween (2007)
In the opening sequence of Halloween a close-up is used on Michael’s pet
rat. This could symbolize the start of him killing as he looks as though he
wants to harm the rat. He also has an item of clothing across his face. He is
wearing a clown mask across his face. This is commonly associated with
killers as they wear masks to hide their identity.
In the next scene, it is set in the family kitchen. The kitchen looks old and
looks as though it has not been furnished in a while. This could show that
Michael’s family is quite poor. A shot/reverse shot is used to film an
argument between Michael’s mother and his step-father. This shows us
that there are problems within his family. A cutaway is then used and
focuses on a baby. This shows us that the
family has to pay for the young child even
though they can barely afford anything else.
In the background there is a synchronous
sound of a radio playing.
Next we see Michael’s sister come
downstairs into the kitchen. Her clothing is
very revealing which could suggests she
craves attention as she does not get any
attention off her family as they mainly focus
their attention on the baby and Michael.
In the next scene, it starts off with a close-up on a knife which is covered in
blood. This shows us that Michael has killed his pet rat. However he does
not tell his family because as he goes downstairs he tells his mother that
his pet rat had died and had to flush him. When he says this mother
cuddles him showing her affection for him and believes his innocence.
After this step-father begins to shout at him for wanting to get another pet
rat. A close-up is then used on Michaels face to show his anger towards his
step-father who is not a likeable figure within the family.