The calendar has turned to October, which means the countdown to Halloween is on. What started as ancient traditions has evolved to become a cultural phenomenon embraced through trick-or-treating, spooky costumes, and, of course, horror cinema. John Carpenter’s 1978 Halloween and Disney’s beloved cult classic Hocus Pocus are quintessential Halloween films. As HBO Max added horror hits like The Exorcist and The Shining to its streaming library, a criminally underrated horror film that is the definitive Halloween movie started streaming, and it’s begging for a sequel.
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HBO Max subscribers can now stream Michael Dougherty’s 2007 horror anthology, Trick ‘r Treat. An absolute ode to Halloween and all things spooky, the film’s intricately woven plot features four separate, interconnected stories – The Principal, The School Bus Massacre, The Surprise Party, and Sam – that all take place on Halloween night in a fictional small Ohio town where the rules of Halloween are to be respected or there will be deadly consequences. The movie served as Dougherty’s directorial debut and a strong entry into the horror franchise, with Trick ‘r Treat having a limited theatrical release before later gaining a cult following and a great 81% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Why You Should Watch Trick ‘r Treat
Trick ‘r Treat is a Halloween horror masterpiece that at its core is a celebration of all things Halloween. The movie perfectly captures the spirit of Halloween through the masterfully crafted non-linear dark storylines that explore different aspects and traditions of Halloween night, from trick-or-treaters to haunted houses, and are all connected through Sam, a character who represents the dual nature of Halloween as being both fun and frightening. The adorable pumpkin-headed demon spirit of Halloween serves as the guardian of the holiday’s traditions and unleashes gruesome karmic justice when they’re not followed.
More than just its story and characters that are deeply rooted in the holiday, Trick ‘r Treat crafts the quintessential Halloween atmosphere. The warm, autumnal color palette of oranges and deep reds contrasts with the deep, inky blues and blacks of the night, and every frame is filled with iconic Halloween scenery, from trick-or-treaters to flickering jack-o’-lanterns, falling leaves, and more. Even the sounds of the film, including Douglas Pipes’ nostalgically spooky score and the sounds of rustling leaves, are meticulously crafted to evoke a visceral sense of the season. Trick ‘r Treat is an essential watch for any fan of Halloween and horror.
Other Horror Movies Now on HBO Max
HBO Max is scaring up an awesome roster of horror content this Halloween season. Now streaming alongside Trick ‘r Treat are horror titles that will scare you through October, like A Nightmare on Elm Street, Drag Me to Hell, Hereditary, Poltergeist (1982), Talk to Me (2023), and The Shining. The Substance, arguably one of the best horror movies of 2024, is set to join HBO Max’s streaming lineup. On October 10th.
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