While it was great seeing Jamie Lee Curtis reprise her Laurie Strode role in the Halloween trilogy from David Gordon Green, horror fans haven't loved all three movies. This new version of Laurie is a mother to Karen Nelson (Judy Greer) and grandmother to Allyson Nelson (Andi Matichak) and has been hiding from Michael Myers for several decades. While the 2018 Halloween is probably the most liked of the trilogy, Halloween Kills has some problems, and Halloween Ends makes some confusing and unsettling story choices. Corey Cunningham (Rohan Campbell) has led to a lot of controversy as fans wonder about why he's in this movie.
When looking back on these three Halloween films, it's possible to imagine what the trilogy would look like if other horror filmmakers took on the project. There are several directors who have made popular and fascinating horror movies in the past decade or so who could have told Laurie and Michael's story in a better, different way.
Jordan Peele
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Horror fans love Jordan Peele's smart, thoughtful approach to the genre. Get Out, Us, and Nope have all been some of the most popular horror movies of the past few years. It's exciting to hear that Peele wants a Nope sequel as that film was one of the most talked about releases of the summer of 2022.
It would be fascinating to see what Peele would do with a Halloween trilogy. Peele's character development and attention to detail and inclusion of important themes would likely have resulted in a more compelling, more cohesive group of films. Peele would also likely have made final girl Laurie Strode a more active participant in all there movies instead of Halloween Kills wasting Laurie's character and keeping her in the hospital.
Parker Finn
Parker Finn is definitely a horror director to watch after his Paramount horror movie Smile, which premiered in September 2022. Finn's short film Laura Hasn't Slept screened at South By Southwest in 2020 and he was offered a deal by Paramount. The movie feels more intelligent and creative than most supernatural films, with lots of attention to transitions. Finn also uses sound in a fascinating way.
After watching Sosie Bacon's perfectly written character Dr. Rose Cotter and the care that Finn gave to serious subject matter, it's interesting to imagine how he would take on the story of Laurie Strode and Michael Myers. Since the residents of Haddonfield, Illinois feel cursed by Michael, it would be cool to see what this trilogy would be like. Laurie does suffer a lot and experience trauma, and those are topics that Smile ​​​​​​​explores with care and detail.
Jennifer Kent
The Babadook is one of the scariest horror movies according to science and it was the first film that Jennifer Kent directed. Kent also directed the terrifying period piece The Nightingale, which was released in 2018. Since the Halloween trilogy explores family, with fans getting to know Laurie's daughter Karen and granddaughter Alyson, there are some parallels between these three movies and The Babadook.
Most of all, the movie is known for its horrifying monster who is first seen in a book aimed at children. The Halloween villain Michael Myers is so iconic and Kent definitely understands how to effectively use creepy imagery to instill fear in audiences.
Ti West
Ti West's X trilogy, which includes the perfect prequel Pearl and the upcoming MaXXXine, proves how well he can create a world, introduce flawed characters, and include some memorable death scenes. West has been an acclaimed filmmaker for a long time. Before releasing X in March 2022, he directed the 2011 horror film The Innkeepers and 2009's The House of the Devil.
Horror filmmakers can learn from X because it's so artfully made. It would be great to see what West would do with the story of Laurie and Michael. Based on how different the three movies starring Mia Goth are, it seems likely that West would add some riveting new characters and flesh out Laurie's adult life more.
Mike Flanagan
Mike Flanagan's Netflix TV shows include The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass, and The Midnight Club. Flanagan also directed Before I Wake, which was released in 2016 and stars Jacob Trembly as a child grieving their mother and having terrible nightmares.
Mike Flanagan's trademarks are in The Midnight Club, from his well-written characters and great dialogue to his questions about the meaning of life. Flanagan's stories are always thoughtful and moving. He would dive into Laurie's emotional state and not shy away from clever jump scares. It also seems likely that Flanagan's Michael Myers would be as terrifying as he was in the original 1978 movie.