Review of Trick 'r Treat (2007) by Kevin M — 24 Nov 2017

Holiday movies are difficult for me, because one: they're often cheesy or tacky, and two: they're usually catered towards kids. Here we have a low budget, highly entertaining piece of filmmaking celebrating what is arguably the scariest night of the year: Halloween.

Trick r' Treat is a series of stories that touch on many classic horror tales, polished with a modern twist: a psychopathic high school principal (played by a hilarious Dylan Baker) who leaves out a bowl of suspicious candy on his stoop, a group of teens who go to party in the woods, and a band of kids who go searching for an urban legend.

These stories eventually converge at the end of the brisk 82 minute running time, making for an incredibly satisfying and memorable movie. The best part of Trick r' Treat is Sam: a young boy wearing a burlap sack as a mask, who makes small appearances in every story.

Pondering his motives and origins is one of the most satisfying aspects of the film, and he's earned a high spot on the list of great horror villains. Trick r' Treats strongest selling point is it's lasting appeal: since it's 2007 release, I've watched this film six or seven times, and always around Halloween.

This is not only the best Halloween movie around, it's one of the best horror movies ever made. Ten years later, the impending cold and jack o' lanterns carry with it another malevolent presence: the need to watch Trick r' Treat.