“I Felt So Ashamed Watching This”, Laurie Strode Actress Slams ‘Halloween Ends’

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Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) walking through the hospital in 'Halloween Kills'

Credit: Universal Studios

Halloween Ends (2022) might be slashing its way through the box office, but it continues to divide fans, and as such, has become the most controversial entry in the Halloween franchise to date, giving even anthology-sequel Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) a run for its money.

But it looks like it’s not just fans and critics who are disappointed with the latest Halloween movie, as two major Halloween stars themselves have revealed their thoughts on the film. Before we dive in, though, be warned that there are major spoilers ahead for Halloween Ends.

Halloween Ends Michael Myers
Credit: Universal Studios via YouTube

Related: “Please Right This Wrong!”, ‘Halloween’ Fans Launch Petition For the Latest Sequel to Be Rebooted

Halloween Ends is the final entry from director David Gordon Green and Blumhouse Productions, following Halloween (2018) and Halloween Kills (2021). It sees the return of final girl Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and bogeyman Michael Myers (James Jude Courtney).

However, it’s really the latter part where fans and critics are taking great issue with the film, as Michael Myers doesn’t feature as heavily in Halloween Ends as you might think. Instead, the film focuses on the character of Corey Cunningham, played by Rohan Campbell.

Halloween Ends
Credit: Universal Studios via YouTube

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Michael Myers, despite emerging victorious in last years’ sequel, has been mysteriously absent for four years. It takes some 40 minutes for him to finally appear, and when he does, he’s in a weakened state, and even for the remainder of the film, he doesn’t have a great deal to do.

Now, in the latest episode of their podcast Talk Scary to Me, Halloween franchise stars Scout Taylor-Compton and Danielle Harris have opened up about their thoughts on Halloween Ends.

Rob Zombie's Halloween
Credit: Dimension Films

Related: 5 Most Shocking Moments In ‘Halloween Ends’

In discussing the filmmakers’ decision to replace Michael Myers’ screen time with Corey Cunningham’s imposter-like version, Scout Taylor-Compton, who played Laurie Strode in the remake Rob Zombie’s Halloween (2007) and its sequel Halloween II (2009), said the following:

“It was a really cool story if it was about a new serial killer and what it was like for someone to become a serial killer… but then they just kind of threw Michael Myers in there, is what it seemed like to me.”

Halloween 4 The Revenge of Michael Myers
Credit: Trancas International Films

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Harris, who played Annie Brackett in those two films, and Jamie Lloyd in Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) and Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989), echoed similar thoughts, saying, “Where are the kills? Where’s Michael? What the hell is going on?”

Taylor-Compton also expressed frustration at Michael Myers not showing up until around 40 minutes in and being in a weakened state when he does, while also saying that she was “mortified” by the scene in which Michael is beaten to the ground by Corey. Here’s what she said:

“I was mortified when he went into that tunnel and [Corey] almost beat his ass. I was mortified. I almost couldn’t look, I was so traumatized about what was happening. He’s not the Michael Myers that we deserve.”

Halloween Ends Corey Cunningham
Credit: Universal Studios via YouTube

Related: Does Michael Myers Actually Talk In ‘Halloween Kills’?!

“That is not it,” Taylor-Compton continued. “That’s not the last Michael Myers. I felt so bad for James [Jude Courtney]. Like, this is the end of your Michael Myers? [Michael] was so weak that I felt so ashamed watching this — ‘I can’t watch this. This is mortifying, I can’t watch this.'”

Despite their complaints, though, Taylor-Compton and Harris did praise the character of Corey Cunningham, with Harris saying, “I much preferred his kills to Michael Myers’ kills. He’s the only thing that kept me interested… but it shouldn’t have been a Halloween movie.”

Halloween Ends Michael Myers
Credit: Universal Studios via YouTube

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The pair certainly aren’t alone in their thoughts on the fact that the concluding chapter in a trilogy perhaps wasn’t the time and place to introduce a new character while sidelining Michael Myers. In fact, there’s now even a fan petition to have the film completely reshot.

It’s no surprise that Taylor-Compton and Harris expected more from Michael Myers, either. After all, the version they faced in the two Rob Zombie movies was played by Tyler Mane, who stands at an impressive 6ft 9, making him one of the most terrifying versions of Michael Myers.

Rob Zombie's Halloween
Credit: Dimension Films

Related: A Recap of the ‘Halloween’ Franchise Before You Watch ‘Halloween Ends’’

Taylor-Compton and Harris, both of whom never shared any of the Halloween movies with Jamie Lee Curtis, having each appeared in different timelines, also revealed on their podcast that their interactions with the icon at the Halloween Ends premiere left them feeling “very, very hurt”.

They each described similar encounters with Curtis, who apparently gave blunt responses when they told her who they had played in previous Halloween movies, with Harris playing Curtis’ on-screen daughter Jamie Lloyd, and Taylor-Compton playing Laurie Strode in the remakes.

Halloween Ends Michael Myers
Credit: Universal Studios via YouTube

Related: Where to Next For the ‘Halloween’ Franchise After ‘Ends’?

As per Universal Pictures, here’s the official synopsis for Halloween Ends:

Four years after the events of last year’s Halloween Kills, Laurie is living with her granddaughter Allyson and is finishing writing her memoir. Michael Myers hasn’t been seen since his last brutal rampage. Laurie, after allowing the specter of Michael to determine and drive her reality for decades, has decided to liberate herself from fear and rage and embrace life. But when a young man, Corey Cunningham, is accused of killing a boy he was babysitting, it ignites a cascade of violence and terror that will force Laurie to finally confront the evil she can’t control, once and for all.

— Universal Pictures

Halloween Ends
Credit: Universal Studios

Related: Producer Confirms ‘Halloween Ends’ Won’t Be the Last Movie In the Series

Halloween Ends stars Jamie Lee Curtis (Laurie Strode), Andi Matichak (Allyson Nelson), Will Patton (Officer Frank Hawkins), Omar Dorsey (Sheriff Barker), Kyle Richards (Lindsey Wallace), and James Jude Courtney (Michael Myers).

Newcomers are Rohan Campbell and Michael O’Leary, who play Corey Cunningham and Dr. Mathis, respectively.

Halloween Ends is now in theaters and is also streaming on Peacock.

Halloween Ends Laurie Strode
Credit: Universal Studios via YouTube

Related: Every Version of Michael Myers Ranked From Worst to Best

Do you agree with Scout Taylor-Compton and Danielle Harris? Let us know in the comments down below!

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