Michael Myers’ obsession with Laurie Strode has been the foundation of the entireHalloweenfranchise, but what’s kept it strong for all these years? From a fan’s point of view, the ongoing back-and-forth of a monstrous villain leaving a blood trail in their pursuit of a victim that constantly evades capture is fascinating. It’s why it’s such a popular trope in horror. InScream, its various assailants with hidden secrets using increasingly theatrical methods of murder to take down Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell).
InNightmare on Elm Street, it’s Freddy Kreuger (Robert Englund) haunting the dreams of random teenagers while trying to kill Nancy Thompson (Heather Langencamp), the one that got away. In this case, it’s Jamie Lee Curtis reprising her role as Laurie Strode as she once again watches Michael Myers brutally kill anyone who stands in the way of him finally ending her life. Within the context of the movies, however, the reasons for Michael’s obsession with Laurie have shifted. Yet, the reason for his persistence doesn’t change the way his story starts.
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Why was Michael Myers Put Into an Institution?
In the 1978 introduction to the franchise,Halloweenopens from the unassuming perspective of a yet-identified person. It’s not until they’re reaching into a kitchen drawer for a giant knife that the audience realizes they should be afraid of what they’re about to witness. The knife-wielding assailant then makes their way up a flight of stairs before stopping in the doorway of a young woman’s room, who’s sitting in front of a mirror in just her underwear.
Before the audience even understands what’s going on, the assailant is repeatedly using their chosen weapon to repeatedly stab her as she cries out in pain. Later on, the movie reveals that it’s a young Michael Myers (Will Sandin) who has just murdered his older sister and he’s sent off to a mental institution. Fifteen years later, Michael (Nick Castle) still has a thirst for blood and he finds his ultimate victim in Laurie after he manages to escape a transport bus. While the audience has seen what Michael is capable of, it’s the voice of Dr. Samuel Loomis (Donald Pleasence) trembling in fear that reveals what horrors Michael is about to reap.
Why is Michael Myers Obsessed with Laurie in the Original Movies?
The firstHalloweenmovie starts with Michael’s return to his hometown of Haddonfield, IL to stalk his way through the quiet suburban streets with only his heavy breathing as his companion. In the original movie,Michael has no special connection to Laurie. Rather, she just happens to be the first person he comes across while looking for the perfect victim to start with on his killing spree. He perpetually stalks her around her suburban hometown simply to pursue her in the manner of a regular serial killer menacingly expressing their intention to harass, assault, and, ultimately, murder his next victim. Ironically enough, it’s only theHalloweenreboot trilogy that uses this reasoning to explain why Michael keeps coming back to chase Laurie, whether it’s through a sleepy suburban town, a liberal college campus, or an understaffed hospital.
Meanwhile, the first sequel to the originalHalloweenfilm establishes a deeper connection between Michael (Dick Warlock) & Laurie. Director John Carpenter initially intended for Michael’s motives to be unexplained. Like the silent stalker himself, his reasons would haunt the audience’s mind and perplex their need to understand the horrific reality of the monster known as The Shape. However, it turns out Carpenter wasn’t exactly excited to writeHalloween II, so that’s when he came up with the explanation of Laurie being Michael’s sister. This became an integral part of the following sequels of the original timeline.
Eventhe 2007 Rob Zombie remakefollows the theory of Laurie (Scout Taylor-Compton) & Michael (Tyler Mane) being siblings. Michael was no longer chasing down someone who just happened to catch his eye. Instead, he was fulfilling his deep-seated need to murder his sister. It was the same horrific urge that compelled him to stab his other sister to death as she innocently brushed her hair in the bedroom of what would later become his old, dilapidated home.
Why is Michael Myers Obsessed with Laurie in the Reboot Trilogy?
David Gordon Green’sHalloweenis a return to form with regards to explaining what drives Michael (James Jude Courtney) to relentlessly stalk Laurie. The movie finds Michael biding his time in a mental institution before escaping a transport bus while prisoners are being relocated. Laurie has grown into a paranoid alcoholic biding her time in an isolated cabin just waiting for Michael’s inevitable return. His bloodthirsty obsession with her no longer stems from a familial connection. It’s simply a continuation of him seeing her as the right victim and then becoming consumed by his own inability to kill her.
The thought of her having been in the wrong place at the wrong time is a truly frightening concept when one remembers that it could’ve been anyone. Michael is The Shape, the human embodiment of the very concept of evil. He exists beyond human needs and thrives only on his ability to strike fear, cause chaos, and bring death with him where ever he goes.Similar to real-life serial killers, Michael cares more about getting his thrills from the chase & the kill and less about who is on the sharp end of his giant knife.
Simply put, 2018’sHalloweenprovides no specific reason for Michael’s obsession with Laurie, it just is. It’s gone on for a long time and the more he fails to kill her, the more intensely focused his obsession becomes despite getting his fill of violence along the way. For some fans, the sibling explanation makes sense and adds an interesting twist to their 40-year-old dynamic. For many others, though, it’s scarier to think he randomly selected her and has spent all that time punishing her for being a survivor.
The reboot trilogy may take the franchise back to basics, but it’sfar from popular amongHalloweenfans. In fact, many see it as an insulting attempt to end a veteran franchise. They don’t like its ending or its plot twists. Regardless, Michael’s obsession with Laurie is one of the most enduring among all the horror franchises and has become as integral toHalloweenas Michael’s heavy breathing. Reasons for it aside, it’s made for a wildly popular series of horror movies. Only time will tell if it’s truly dead or just biding its time for a bloody return.
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