‘Horror in Haddonfield’ Review: Andrew Grevas’ Franchise Bible Is A Must-Read
Halloween—the franchise, not the holiday—means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. The slasher powerhouse has been slicing and dicing since John Carpenter’s original in 1978, and like the enduring shape, it’s never down for long. Andrew Grevas’ Horror in Haddonfield is as comprehensive a franchise bible as any. Cover to cover, Grevas’ impassioned knowledge of the franchise shines through. While horror aficionados might not find a great deal new, the sheer breadth of this compendium renders it a must-read for Halloween fans. Sure, this is principally Grevas’ way of imparting what the franchise means to him, but among the bloodshed is earnest, sincere resonance.
Horror in Haddonfield, much like similar must-own franchise tome Taking Shape II: The Lost Halloween Sequels, is designed to be read out of order. Key chapters include an exhaustive franchise timeline, the enduring legacy of the series, and select interviews bookending the major eras, including the Jamie Lloyd, Carpenter, and Blumhouse timelines. Chapters are principally augmented by new interviews with major players. No, there’s no Curtis or Carpenter, but there is a pretty stellar talk with Kathleen Kinmont (Kelly Meeker) from Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers.
The deep cuts might be obvious. Directors Dwight H. Little (Halloween 4) and Dominique Othenin-Girard (Halloween 5) revisit themes and controversies already widely known. Largely, the franchise was always constrained by too many slasher cooks, and while every individual filmmaker feels fondness for their entry, they largely reject what came next. Halloween 4 hates Halloween 5, Halloween 5 hates Curse, so on and so on. Danielle Harris, always a welcome participant, similarly mines an ore she’s struck a dozen times before. Her treatment still stings, but it’s not exactly surprising.
Yet, on account of Grevas’ rapport and thorough questioning, the interviews soar. Grevas is a remarkable communicator, and familiar material feels more probing and touching than it otherwise would have on the sheer strength of Grevas’ interviewing skills alone. Peppered throughout is that aforementioned meaning. While Horror in Haddonfield is a broad overview, it’s simultaneously a singular foray into Grevas’ own relationship with the franchise. The pivots and bobs, deep lore, and retconned eras—it’s the movies, but it’s also a key component of who Grevas is as both a horror fan and a creative.
A recurring theme among the participants is incredulity that their little Halloween movie has become so popular. Several guests recount their introduction to the convention scene, their bewilderment that some people are really, really into Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers. I’m counted among them, though I’ve never been to a convention. I probably should. The series has been a key part of my life for as long as I can remember, and the transcendence of Michael Myers has touched Joe Chappelle and Steve Miner’s lives much the same. We’re different, better, and enriched on account of the Shape. Over the course of almost 50 years, the Shape hasn’t just come home, he’s stayed there. At 709 Meridian Avenue, everyone is welcome.
Andrew Grevas’ Horror in Haddonfield is a labor of love. It’s rich, insightful, and all-encompassing. While it may not yield much in the way of staggering new reveals or behind-the-scenes factoids, it’s as thorough a series throughline as any. Pick it up, pick any page, and let your own admiration for the franchise and the many persons involved solidify. Halloween matters a lot. With Horror in Haddonfield, Grevas helps clarify why.
You can preorder a hardcover or paperback here. Horror in Haddonfield will be released in October 2025.
Categorized:Reviews
