The perils of viewing a sequel, if one hasn’t watched its predecessors, are quite a few: understanding the story and characters, lack of continuity, etc. In ‘Halloween’, the eleventh in the series, which began in 1978 with (surprisingly) the same title, director and co-writer David Green, ensure that the 10 sequels/remakes are bypassed.

Jamie Lee Curtis, as Laurie Strode, reprises her role of a woman stalked by Michael Myers, a masked psychopath, incarcerated after failed attempts on her life. Her mental makeup has caused her to fortify her home, besides resulting in two failed marriages and a disrupted relationship with her daughter Karen (Judy Greer); her proximity to granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) is affected too. Her deep-rooted emotional turmoil is well portrayed by Curtis, especially after learning of Myers’ escape from police custody.

Halloween is probably numero uno in the slasher category – and not just because of the body count. There’s barely a backstory, which makes it devoid of motives. It’s an indiscriminate and almost inhuman way, without a modicum of compassion or empathy, with which victims meet their end. Also, Michael’s insistence in insolently keeping silent adds to the macabre quotient of the film.

Director David Gordon Green handles the subject well, with the supporting cast having barely much to do apart from revealing terror on their faces and showing up dead. It’s gory, it’s macabre, watch it if you have a penchant for the slasher genre.