By John Corrado

Please note that this is a review of the Blu-ray release of Halloween Ends. For my full thoughts on the film itself, you can read my original review right here.

The third film in director David Gordon Green’s modern Halloween trilogy that began in 2018, Halloween Ends is now arriving on Blu-ray (and 4K Ultra HD) this week.

The film sets up the final showdown between Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and masked killer Michael Myers, who first tormented her in John Carpenter’s 1978 original, but takes somewhat of an unexpected path to get there.

This is one of the more controversial entries in the series due to the introduction of a new character, Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell), who becomes the main focus for much of the film. I actually found it to be an interesting approach, and Halloween Ends has more on its mind than most third films, let alone thirteenth films in a decades-spanning franchise.

As I wrote in my review, “Green isn’t interested in redoing the straight carnage of Halloween Kills, but rather crafting a story about cycles of violence, and how unhealed trauma keeps building up and has the potential to turn victims into villains.” This is a film about the shadow of Michael Myers and how it still looms large over the town of Haddonfield, and I have no doubt that Halloween Ends will come to be more appreciated in time. The Blu-ray (or 4K release), with its array of bonus features, offers a fine choice for fans wanting to add it to their collections.

Film Rating: ★★★ (out of 4)

Bonus Features (Blu-ray):

The Blu-ray (which I was sent for review) includes a number of bonus features, from a selection of deleted scenes to featurettes. A regular DVD is also included in the package, which ships with an embossed slipcover.

• Deleted and Extended Scenes (Play All – 7 minutes, 6 seconds): Some gnarly little moments that were cut from the film.

• Michael Shakes Things Up (2 minutes, 24 seconds)

• Joan’s Bunny Slam (1 minute, 7 seconds)

• Corey Reflects Upon Himself (34 seconds)

• Ronald’s Stuck at Work (40 seconds)

• Margo Gets the Boot (34 seconds)

• Joan’s Recipe for Disaster (1 minute, 44 seconds)

• Final Girl (4 minutes, 40 seconds): Jamie Lee Curtis emotionally talks about reprising her iconic role as Laurie Strode one last time.

• No Place Like Haddonfield (7 minutes, 49 seconds): Green and co-writer Paul Brad Logan talk about how the film explores more of Haddonfield, with the new and returning cast members talking about this being their last film and how much fun they had working with Green.

• Gag Reel (2 minutes, 45 seconds): A pretty standard gag reel.

• Ending Halloween (8 minutes, 26 seconds): The cast and crew talk about crafting one final showdown between Laurie and Michael, and choosing to introduce Corey.

• A Different Threat (5 minutes, 43 seconds): A deeper look at the character of Corey, and Campbell’s (very good) performance.

• The Visions of Terror (5 minutes, 47 seconds): A look at building the different sets for the sewer tunnels and radio station that play a role in the film.

• Twisted Deaths (5 minutes, 2 seconds): A closer look at how they crafted some of the film’s grisly deaths, using practical effects by Chris Nelson.

• Feature Commentary: With co-writer/director David Gordon Green, actors Andi Matichak and Rohan Campbell, co-producer/first assistant director Atilla Salih Yücer, and production assistant Hugo Garza.

Halloween Ends is a Universal Pictures Home Entertainment release. It’s 111 and rated 14A.

Street Date: January 10th, 2023