Tritone's love of horror and mystery began at a young age. Growing up in the 80’s he got to see some of the greatest horror movies play out in the best of venues, the drive-in theater. That’s when his obsession with the genre really began—but it wasn’t just the movies, it was the games, the books, the comics, and the lore behind it all that really ignited his obsession. Tritone is a published author and continues to write and write about horror whenever possible.
The Halloween movies are notorious for their knife-scenes. Most people die in Halloween movies by knife. A lot of the Halloween movie cover arts even featured a knife, including Halloween (1978), Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989), Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995), Halloween: Resurrection (2002), Halloween (2007) and Halloween II (2009). So, how big was the knife used in the movies? What type of knife did Michael Myers use? Was there any reasoning in choosing a blade? Horror Enthusiast has searched the annals of Halloween movie horror to find the truth!
What Kind of Knife Is Used In the Halloween Movies?
Most Halloween fans understand that an encounter with Michael’s blade normally means instant death. Most Michael Myers fans, however, do not know much about the knife itself. A lot of fans have suggested that it is a chef’s knife and they are correct: Michael’s knife is a wide bladed chef’s knife.
Michael Myer’s first knife in John Carpenter’s Halloween (1978) was a 17” Lamson chef’s knife. The measurement is the full length of the entire knife, tip to end of handle. The knife is so long that when Michael deeply stabs a victim, he can penetrate through their entire body and actually ‘stick’ them to the wall.
Every movie has featured a different knife. Some fans have even pointed out that different knives are used even in the same movie (sometimes it is necessary to show a bigger knife in some scenes for it to be visible at all). It has been speculated that the largest knife Michael has ever used was in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998). It is said that he had used a 19” knife in this sequel!
Final Words About Michael’s Blade
The Halloween movies tapped into a fear extremely close to home: that even a small child could become a stone cold slasher. No one wants to see innocent turn evil, which is exactly what happens with Michael. That said, Michael Myers would only be half as scary without his knife.
Michael’s creepy mask and stalking nature may inspire fear in anyone; however, his huge, shiny, reflective blade may be the biggest reason to RUN!
Tritone’s love of horror and mystery began at a young age. Growing up in the 80’s he got to see some of the greatest horror movies play out in the best of venues, the drive-in theater. That’s when his obsession with the genre really began—but it wasn’t just the movies, it was the games, the books, the comics, and the lore behind it all that really ignited his obsession. Tritone is a published author and continues to write and write about horror whenever possible.
Most Realistic Masks Used in Horror Movie Costumes
Gruesome, Terrifying Horror Movie Masks
The world of horror has brought a lot of truly disgusting, and terrifying masks out of the darkness. Some are latex and meant to quite literally be a Halloween mask. Other masks had other uses before they shielded the horror slasher’s mug! There are some masks which are better known than others, even world-renowned…and then there are some super niche horror movies with much less recognized masks. Still, there is no end to the creativity in Hollywood and in form of horror movie masks!
Terrifying, Gruesome, Realistic or Scary Horror Movie Masks
With the diverse variety of mask types available, horror movie killers can be seen with some sincerely creative masks. This list is ranked in order of scariest to tamest of the best masks used in horror movies.
Please note: Masks only. Paint doesn’t count. Makeup doesn’t count. It must be a covering part of the face with a physical object than can be removed to make the list!
Leatherface Mask
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre hosts one of the scariest horror movie slashers in the genre. Leatherface is a larger, beast-like killer and his mask may be just as scary as his stature and weapon. Leatherface makes his masks out of human flesh, so they are naturally one of the most terrifying of all the horror movie masks out there.
Buying a real Leatherface inspired mask (not real human flesh obviously) is pretty easy, but many are cheap. It is still possible, though, to buy a high quality Leatherface mask.
The Strangers Bag Head
The Strangers highlighted one of the most common cliches in the horror genre: protagonist stuck in the house, slashers trying to break in and terrorize. Only the Strangers did it all in one single house, throughout the entire movie. Most of the fear was psychological, but the small visual peeks at the killer are terrifying mostly due to the bag over his head.
It is possible to buy the Strangers Bag Head mask, a few places offer them. Some are authentic, others are knock offs and look-a-like bag masks. They are all pretty scary though!
Michael Myers
Almost everyone (fan or not) knows the face of Michael Myers. He is a ghost-white latex-faced killer with zero facial expression and the “blackest eyes.”
There are a wide variety of real Michael Myers masks available for sale. Like all costume, Halloween and horror movie masks, some are higher quality than others.
The Masquerade Mask
The masquerade mask has been used in a variety of horror movies. Some of the most notable include the Purge movies and Valentine (2001). The masquerade mask is naturally scary as it is meant to ‘blend the wearer into the crowd,’ made popular centuries ago. Parties around the world make use of the masquerade mask…making it a truly scary horror movie mask…as it typically represents an unknown killer!
Masquerade masks are obviously extremely accessible and easy to buy. It is possible to buy Purge-style Halloween masks (realistic replicas) as well as the authentic recreations of the Purge masks themselves.
Jason’s Hockey Mask
The Friday the 13thfranchise created one of the most iconic (and deadliest) killers of all time, Jason Voorhees. Jason’s Hockey mask is one of the only identifying features a victim sees before the machete.
Purchasing a Jason Voorhees style hockey mask is easy, as they are available to buy in all types of colors and qualities.
Jigsaw Mask
Saw’s John Kramer (aka Jigsaw) is a very intelligent horror movie killer. Although he does not typically show himself nearly as often as the other horror movie slashers…he most certainly shows off his Jigsaw doll. The Jigsaw doll is most memorable due to its mask. The Jigsaw doll sports a spooky clown-inspired white-faced mask with the red hypnotic spirals on the cheeks!
Some Jigsaw masks for sale are made of cheap PVC or plastic, while it is also possible to buy a high quality Jigsaw mask (even made of nice grade resin).
Ghostface Mask
The antagonist of the Scream franchise (no matter who the killer is), wears a long-mouthed ghost-like mask with a black hood. The mask is extremely identifiable and thus the character has infamously become known most commonly as “Ghostface.”
Ghostface is probably the most commonly purchased Halloween mask available and worn. It is also probably the easiest Halloween mask to buy, both in availability and price. Still, some are higher quality than others.
Buy the Best Halloween and Horror Movie Masks (and scariest)
If you are looking for a truly scary Halloween or horror movie mask, a lot of these masks, and similar Halloween masks are available to buy online. There is a super wide variety of extremely realistic Halloween masks out there. It’s important to be careful when purchasing masks outright, as many of them lack quality. The last thing a high quality Halloween or horror costume needs is a cheap mask. High quality masks mean better scares. Buying a realistic, high quality horror mask can absolutely complete a look.
Some masks are also considered horror movie props and are awesome collector’s items. Many horror fans collect masks (even those that were not featured in horror movies) for their intrinsic scare-based value, as well as their future monetary value. It has been proven that many of the higher quality masks become instant investments when properly cared for.
Tritone’s love of horror and mystery began at a young age. Growing up in the 80’s he got to see some of the greatest horror movies play out in the best of venues, the drive-in theater. That’s when his obsession with the genre really began—but it wasn’t just the movies, it was the games, the books, the comics, and the lore behind it all that really ignited his obsession. Tritone is a published author and continues to write and write about horror whenever possible.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies are some of the scariest slasher movies to grace the horror genre. Leatherface is a scary killer by himself, but with the chainsaw, he is truly terrifying. The chainsaw is shiny, it is sharp and it is loud! It creates a natural inspiration to run unlike any other horror movie killer weapon. Texas Chainsaw and Leatherface fans want to know…is the horror slasher weapon from the movies actually real or just a fake prop?
Leatherface Chainsaw Facts
Horror Enthusiast has scoured interviews, director’s cuts, trivia and behind the scenes archives to discover the truth behind the chainsaw.
Authentic From The Start
The original movie, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) featured a very real chainsaw. They selected a Poulan 306a. Although Gunnar Hansen (Leatherface) makes it look like it weighs nothing, the Poulan 306a actually weighed almost 13 pounds (at the end of it’s production in 1980, it may have weighed even more when yielded by Leatherface)! It was very common in the 70s and is now considered an official collector’s item…and that’s mostly just because it was an awesome chainsaw!
American Built
Ditching the Poulan 306a, the first sequel in the franchise chose to employ the Craftsman 4300. Ironically, this model was still manufactured by Poulan FOR Craftsman.
Lefty’s shiny silver chainsaw was an unknown model made by Dolmar (German chainsaw company).
Additionally, Grandma’s Saw was a Poulan 361.
Going Custom
Leatherface III (1991) used an awesome, custom-built Stihl 066 Magnum. The chainsaw was also chromed out (custom job in done in California) and even had a custom 36” bar. These were made in the late eighties and early nineties.
Back to the Basics
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1997) chose to return to the basics and outfitted Leatherface Robert Jacks with a simpler chainsaw. The McCulloch 700 was a super average chainsaw and is very commonly mistook for being the same model as used in the original (1974) Texas Chainsaw movie.
Versatile and Reliable
Marketed as one of the more versatile chainsaws, the Husqvarna 359 is carried by Andrew Bryniarski as Leatherface in the 2003 Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake and the 2006 prequel. This chainsaw featured a custom bar, just like the chainsaw used by an earlier, 1991 Leatherface.
Final Notes About Leatherface’s Chainsaw
In conclusion, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre appears to create authentic fear in the on-screen victims…and it most certainly creates fear in the audience. A lot of that fear is broken down into the good mechanics of a loud, working chainsaw…and many times, the chainsaw was indeed real! As many of the actors and actresses who have actually participated in a Texas Chainsaw film: it feels really dangerous and is truly terrifying to experience, even when it is all fake and for a movie!
Tritone’s love of horror and mystery began at a young age. Growing up in the 80’s he got to see some of the greatest horror movies play out in the best of venues, the drive-in theater. That’s when his obsession with the genre really began—but it wasn’t just the movies, it was the games, the books, the comics, and the lore behind it all that really ignited his obsession. Tritone is a published author and continues to write and write about horror whenever possible.
Halloween’s second sequel, the 3rd movie in the franchise, left a lot of fans really confused. Whether having seen it when it was released in 1982, or later down the road after many other Halloween movies were released, it is undeniable that it does not seem to fit in with the rest of the franchise. Halloween III: Season of the witch (1982) is extremely well-done, however, and is absolutely scary in its own right. The oddball in the franchise is about a shady Halloween mask company called “Silver Shamrock Novelties,” who produce some super realistic and terrifying looking masks. These masks glow in the dark too, but that’s not all…they also take over your brain!
Literally, the masks are micro-chipped and every kid in America wants one! The mask company releases these creepy commercials that hypnotize kids into reciting the eerie Silver Shamrock theme song.
A Different Type of Fear
The Silver Shamrock Novelties company is creepy in every way. They utilize high-tech (for 1982 any way) surveillance equipment, mind-control devices, and implant microchips into their masks. They have brainwashing commercials and maintain control over an entire town. They even implement a curfew! This new type of fear that is created in Halloween part 3 is that of conspiracy and the control of society…almost a 1984 meets The Matrix (1999) kind of fear. Plus, if someone learns too much or if they get too close to figuring things out, they get taken out!
Why Isn’t Michael Myers In Halloween Part III?
Most Halloween fans instantly recognize this as the only film in the series that is not focused on the slasher who made the franchise famous. Michael Myers is not present in the film because the creators believed the franchise deserved to become much larger than just one single horror slasher. John Carpenter (Halloween creator) and Debra Hill, produced and helped direct this film. They were also involved on many other Halloween films (basically all of them in one fashion or another). Thus, their opinion mattered greatly when they explained the franchise should become an anthology series in the horror genre. They believed there should be a new fear in each Halloween movie…each focusing on the holiday by which the movies are titled. The director, Tommy Lee Wallace, shared this belief and had written Season of the Witch with the intention of it being the first of the attempt at an authentic horror anthology series.
Mind Control Instead of Traditional Slashers
Writer Debra Hill has explained that the idea behind the third Halloween movie was to create a mind control type of “pod” movie. She has cited Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) as inspiration on more than one occasion. The name of the film, Season of the Witch, is a tip of the hat to George A Romero’s Season of the Witch (1973).
Worst Grossing Halloween Movie
Unfortunately for Wallace, Carpenter, and Hill, and everyone else involved, Halloween III: Season of the Witch was the worst grossing Halloween movie of the entire franchise. The movie had a budget of $2.5 million and only grossed a little over $14 million in the United States. Most people have attributed the negative reviews and poor earnings from having been marketed as a part of the Halloween franchise. In fact, it could be suggested that if it were to have been marketed on its own it would have done much better (such as being called “Season of the Witch,” maybe notating that it were BY the creators of Halloween).
This was an experiment that could have been great, but terribly which left critics under-impressed for the hype. While the movie may be underrated (it is actually decent), making the Halloween franchise an anthology series would have been a fantastic idea. Sure, some of them would be worse than others, but the idea has had real success previously with other franchises and concepts. Examples include the very popular Friday the 13th TV series, the Outer limits, the Twilight Zone, Tales from the Darkside, the Crypt Keeper, and others.
Final Words About Season of the Witch
Ultimately, there has probably never been a bad film produced, written or directed by John Carpenter. Having Debra Hill co-producing and involved on the project also instantly makes it better. That said, Halloween’s Season of the Witch creates a deeper paranoia than the traditional Halloween stories. And although Halloween 3 was totally separate from the Michael Myers story line altogether, it contributed greatly to the ‘conspiracy horror’ genre and has burned a mark in the Halloween franchise, forever!
Tritone’s love of horror and mystery began at a young age. Growing up in the 80’s he got to see some of the greatest horror movies play out in the best of venues, the drive-in theater. That’s when his obsession with the genre really began—but it wasn’t just the movies, it was the games, the books, the comics, and the lore behind it all that really ignited his obsession. Tritone is a published author and continues to write and write about horror whenever possible.
Halloween’s Michael Myers is infamous for returning over and over again on Halloween to slay his family and a variety of other victims in his path. Sometimes, he sustains injuries that no human being could ever sustain at the end of one movie, only to reappear in another film a few years down the road. So what is the deal? Is Michael Myers an immortal? Horror Enthusiast analyzes some of the most key points in revealed throughout the Halloween franchise which explain Michael’s never-ending killing cycle!
Can Michael Myers Live Forever?
Dr Loomis describes the first time he saw Michael Myers as essentially meeting the devil himself. He admits that he felt Michael was savable, however, after 8 years of trying to mentally repair Michael, he gave up and began trying to keep him locked up. Loomis describes Michael Myers as pure evil. Being made of ‘pure evil’ would most certainly explain Michael’s incredible survival skills. Here is a list of the ways he has ‘died’ throughout the Halloween films…
Michael Meyers Defeats Timeline
In Halloween (1978), Michael gets a full revolver of bullets in the chest and falls from a second story window.
In Halloween II (1981), Michael gets shot 8 times, including once in each eyeball, and then blown to smithereens via oxygen and ether tanks in Haddonfield Memorial Hospital.
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) features a practical firing squad as Michael receives a barrage of bullets, from both rifles and shotguns, and falls into a mine shaft. Law enforcement toss some dynamite into the shaft along with him in an attempt to finish him.
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989) presents Michael’s elaborate survival of the previous film’s ‘dynamite ending’ (pun intended), and showcases Michael’s building strength strength.
In Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995), Michael is injected with a solution that is revealed to be a tranquilizer and then beat with a pipe. He still escapes.
Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998) brings back Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, who crushes her brother against a tree with an ambulance and decapitates him with an axe. However, this was apparently not Michael (as revealed in Resurrection, 2002).
In Halloween: Resurrection (2002), Michael suffers an electrocution. He is also lit on fire.
Rob Zombie’s Halloween (2007), the slasher gets shot multiple times, stabbed in the chest, falls from a second story window (like the first film) and then gets shot in the face. He survives.
And Rob Zombie’s sequel, Halloween II (2009), Michael was stabbed many times with a butcher knife, wounds both in the chest and face. Despite this film depicting him dead, he always seems to escape somehow.
Will Michael Myers Ever Die?
Michael always seems to surprise fans. No matter how many ways they have tried to kill him, he appears to have infinite strength and infinite lives. Still, the Danny McBride 2018 rewrite frames a mortal, much more human slasher. McBride has explained that the Halloween franchise has gotten too corny and that it deserves to reboot, back to the original Carpenter-style horror it was in 1978. Carpenter must agree, as he is listed as the lead producer on the 2018 Halloween remake. In fact, Michael Myers has been made out to be much more vulnerable than ever before in the upcoming film.
Halloween (2018) After Michael is trapped in a fortified basement and the house explodes the camera cuts back to the smoldering ruins. Alas these is not real evidence that he was destroyed.
After many attempts it seems clear he cannot be killed by any conventional methods. Is he immortal is still TBD, but he sure is not easy to kill. Can you really kill True Evil though?
Tritone’s love of horror and mystery began at a young age. Growing up in the 80’s he got to see some of the greatest horror movies play out in the best of venues, the drive-in theater. That’s when his obsession with the genre really began—but it wasn’t just the movies, it was the games, the books, the comics, and the lore behind it all that really ignited his obsession. Tritone is a published author and continues to write and write about horror whenever possible.
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