**Halloween** (1978) is a seminal slasher film directed by John Carpenter, who co-wrote the screenplay with Debra Hill. The film is widely regarded as one of the most influential horror movies of all time and is often credited with popularizing the slasher genre.
Set in the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois, the story follows Michael Myers, a masked killer who escapes from a mental institution fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night. On the anniversary of his crime, he returns to his hometown, where he begins stalking teenager Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis in her breakthrough role.
The film’s tension builds as Michael methodically terrorizes Laurie and her friends, leading to a suspenseful and chilling climax. Donald Pleasence co-stars as Dr. Sam Loomis, Michael’s psychiatrist, who is determined to stop his former patient before he kills again.
*Halloween* is notable for its minimalist approach, with Carpenter’s eerie score, the use of steady-cam shots, and the lack of graphic violence, which create an atmosphere of dread and suspense. The film’s success spawned numerous sequels, remakes, and reboots, solidifying Michael Myers as an iconic figure in horror cinema and establishing *Halloween* as a classic that continues to influence the genre.
