Halloween II (2009 film)

Halloween II is a 2009 American slasher film written, directed, and produced by Rob Zombie. It is a direct sequel to Zombie's 2007 remake of the 1978 horror film Halloween, and the tenth installment in the Halloween franchise. The film stars Malcolm McDowell as Dr. Samuel Loomis, Scout Taylor-Compton as Laurie Strode, and Tyler Mane as Michael Myers.

The film picks up immediately after the events of its predecessor, showing Laurie Strode being taken to a hospital after being wounded. It then shifts forward two years. Laurie struggles to cope with the trauma of the events, and Dr. Loomis has capitalized on the notoriety, writing a book detailing the events of the previous film. Michael Myers, presumed dead after the climax of the first film, resurfaces, driven by visions of his deceased mother, Deborah, and a white horse, to reunite with his sister Laurie.

Halloween II explores themes of trauma, mental illness, and the psychological impact of violence. The film departs significantly from the timeline established in the original Halloween film series, creating its own continuity with Zombie's first Halloween. Unlike its predecessor, Halloween II features a greater emphasis on supernatural and dreamlike sequences, particularly those involving Michael's visions.

The film was released theatrically on August 28, 2009, by Dimension Films. It received generally negative reviews from critics, who criticized its graphic violence, incoherent plot, and lack of originality. Despite the negative critical reception, Halloween II was a moderate box office success. A director's cut of the film was also released, featuring extended scenes and alternate takes. This version is generally regarded as being slightly better received than the theatrical cut, although criticisms of the film's core elements remain. The film concludes the storyline established in Rob Zombie's two Halloween films, and the franchise was subsequently rebooted again with David Gordon Green's Halloween (2018).