John Carpenter 1978 $60,000,000 Worldwide revenue

Opening sequence of Halloween

The iconography of the pumpkin is a direct link to the title of the film Halloween because it is a symbol of the holiday, Halloween itself. The use of the slow zoom towards the pumpkin resonates an unsettling feeling which slowly builds up tension as it gets closer to the pumpkin. The establishing shot of a typical remote American house, which is a horror film convention, is a representation of an ordinary urban environment which gives the impression that this story could be an actual occurrence in real life. Therefore, the audience feels as though they can engage with the film and attain a connection with certain characters; predominately the protagonist and victims. When the sudden supernatural sound is played, the light turns off with it. This suddenly alternates the feeling of the atmosphere to a more intense apprehension as to what will happen. This then turns into a prolonging soundtrack which slowly builds up tension and suspense as it quietens and heightens in volume. The fact that the child figure is normally seen as an icon of innocence, this film fights this convention in a way which demonizes the child image and replaces it with an idea that even children are capable of such a violent act. Also, the ironic use of a clown costume which Michael is wearing is further unsettling as clowns are seen as funny and loving towards others. The way in which Michael Myers kills his sister because of his righteous judgment towards her having sex before marriage is a connotation of Michael being the judge of whether people may live or die, which again is another symbolisation. Michael is death on earth. The act of having sex before marriage is seen as an act of sin and therefore connotes a sense of In his eyes, he has seen a sexual act in which he doesnt approve of and this act must be given extreme disciplinary action. Obviously, Michael Myers is unstable in the mind as a person, which makes him a frightening and unpredictable character. A genre convention of horror featured within this film for example is that people who commit any acts which are sinful or against someones/somethings belief, they will suffer with death. The evidence to support this is that Michael kills his sister relentlessly and mercilessly because he has ended her life as she has performed a sin which Michael finds is unforgivable. This suggests that teenagers who commit promiscuous acts such as this are certain to have a delivery of judgment within horror films.