Although Halloween Kills ended on a pretty brutal note when the horror film was first released in theaters and on Peacock, it didn’t actually include the original ending. Although, spoiler alert, Karen Strode still died – there were actually some scenes that followed. Unfortunately, the alternate ending for Halloween Kills just didn’t fit with where the next film was going to pick up.
Specifically, the alternate ending was previously only ever described. In the description, it’s explained that Laurie Strode ends up trying to call her daughter after Karen is stabbed to death. When Michael picks up the phone instead, Laurie knows something is wrong because his iconic breathing is heard on the other side. It’s a haunting throwback to the phone scene from the original Halloween. The scene then continues with Laurie Strode stating that she’s going to kill Michael Myers, before walking out into the hospital’s hallway.
Interestingly, however, there’s another throwback reference in this moment. As Laurie Strode is shown walking, she’s brandishing the knife from the end of the 2018 movie. The camera then similarly focuses in on the knife as it did in that film, all before cutting to the title card. It’s definitely a great alternate ending overall, one that not only references the 1978 classic but the 2018 sequel at the same time. Now you can see it below thanks to the digital release of the Halloween Kills: Extended Cut:
While this is a great alternate ending, it does make sense that it was cut from Halloween Kills. After all, the next film in the series is set to take place several years later. With that in mind, it makes more sense to end with Karen’s death than Laurie seemingly walking into a battle that never happens. At least, not for another few years.
The next film in David Gordon Green’s Halloween sequel trilogy, Halloween Ends, will be hitting theaters on October 14, 2022.