The Halloween franchise was initially conceived as an anthology series, with each entry being a unique horror tale for the season. Upon release, Tommy Lee Wallace's Halloween III: Season of the Witch was critically maligned, however, in the years since it has slowly become a cult classic. One of the more interesting entries in the franchise, it does not feature Michael Myers and sidesteps the slasher tropes with a refreshing story about witchcraft and profane technology. Wallace, building upon longtime collaborator John Carpenter's unrelenting aura of tension, created a unique vision that once again showcased why horror continues to be one of the most malleable cinematic genres.
An alcoholic doctor is drawn into a global conspiracy involving a mysterious toy factory and its elusive owner. What follows is a harrowing revelation and quite possibly the end of everything. Wallace's script tackles corporate corruption in an interesting fashion, weaving together occult history and quasi science fiction atrocities to comment on the hypnotic hold capitalism has upon the consumer, a theme that would be explored in even greater (and gorier) detail in 1985's The Stuff. The concept of a mystical union between the rich and powerful is a trope that has been explored for decades and yet, Wallace's offering is a pitch-black dissent. Where humor and campy violence are often used to decry the horrors of the financial machine, Wallace inverts the concept by creating an ambiance of inescapable tension that ensnares the viewer in the first handful of frames.
Legendary character actor Tom Atkins stars as Dr. Challis, a morally compromised doctor who begins to suspect something is awry with the Silver Shamrock toy factory and its ever-present sinister jingle-ladened tv spot. Atkins is in his element, balancing conspiracy-thriller panache with late 70's sleaze in equal doses. His foil is Dan O'Herlihy who stars as Conal Cochrane, owner of the dubious toy factory. While Atkins is the heart, O'Herlihy elevates what could have been a forgettable stand in from a Twilight Zone episode, with a committed, villainous turn and one of the most unforgettable monologues in the history of the genre.
Long time Carpenter collaborator Dean Cundey's cinematography represents an interesting bridge in styles. Months earlier, Cundey's work on The Thing was released upon the world, representing what is quite possibly his best work. Yet, in Halloween III, his imaginative visuals and unusual framings are on display, a premise to what was his yet to come award nominated work. It is this spark of promise, not only in Cundey's contributions, but in the overall project that has allowed Witch to slowly gain a strong cult following over the decades since its release. This is a unique mood piece, filled with interesting (and deliciously corny) characters, an absolutely insane plotline, and striking visuals that hold the mind hostage for the duration.
Now available for
digital rental or on a fantastic UHD release from Shout Factory, Halloween
III: Season of the Witch is easily the most imaginative entry in the
series. While not the stone-cold masterwork that the original is, Witch
carves out a niche for itself with impressive craft from its crew and
unexpectedly dedicated performances from its cast. Time will tell if its
legacy will continue to improve, however, this is a horror film that deserves a
second chance. Pyrrhic at every turn, awkwardly sexy when it
shouldn't be, and completely unapologetic, this is a relic from a time when
creative latitudes by studios produced quite a few memorable misses while also
gifting horror fans some unexpected gems. This is one of the
latter.
--Kyle Jonathan