Trick 'r Treat (2008)
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Four interconnected Halloween stories are linked by a mysterious figure in a pumpkin-like mask who enforces the traditions of the holiday.
The story
Set on Halloween night in the fictional town of Warren Valley, Ohio, the film follows a nonlinear narrative where various characters' paths cross. At the center of these stories is Sam, a peculiar trick-or-treater in an orange footie pajama costume who appears to enforce the 'rules' of Halloween. The anthology weaves together different tales, including a couple's celebration, a delinquent's encounter with a school principal, a group of teenagers at a quarry, and a young woman's experience at a party, all while the mysterious Sam watches from the shadows to ensure traditions are upheld.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film follows a nonlinear narrative in Warren Valley, Ohio, on Halloween night. It begins with Emma and Henry; Emma is murdered after breaking a tradition by blowing out a jack-o'-lantern before midnight. In another thread, a delinquent named Charlie is killed by a serial killer, Principal Steven Wilkins, who hides his victims. A group of teens, including Macy and Rhonda, visit a quarry where they are attacked by undead children from a past 'School Bus Massacre.' Meanwhile, a woman named Laurie joins her friends at a party; they are revealed to be werewolves and they kill Steven. In a separate segment, an old man named Mr. Kreeg—who was the survivor of the bus massacre—confronts Sam. Kreeg is spared only after he accidentally gives Sam a candy bar. The film concludes with Sam punishing Emma for her actions and the undead children attacking Kreeg.
- First release year
- 2007
- Runtime (minutes)
- 82
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Michael Dougherty
- Writers
- Michael Dougherty · writer
- Cast and characters
- Dylan Baker; Rochelle Aytes; Anna Paquin; Brian Cox
- Genres
- comedy horror; anthology; supernatural; horror
- Themes
- Halloween traditions; supernatural; consequences of breaking rules
- Tone and mood
- horror; dark; eerie
- Setting
- Warren Valley, Ohio, on Halloween night.
- Premise and plot tags
- anthology; supernatural; horror; Halloween
- Source material / true-story basis
- Season's Greetings (1996 animated short)
- Reception
- The film was highly praised by critics as a well-crafted Halloween tribute, with some calling it one of the most entertaining horror films of the 2000s.
- Awards and nominations
- Audience Choice Award · Screamfest Horror Film Festival · 2008 · Win; Silver Audience Award · Toronto After Dark Film Festival · 2009 · Win
- Production trivia
- The film was originally intended for a theatrical release in October 2007.; A graphic novel adaptation was released in 2009.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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