My daughter and I recently watched Spirit Halloween (2022) on Shudder. The storyline revolves around a group of teenage friends who feel they've outgrown Halloween and seek a new, eerie ways to celebrate the holiday. They stumble upon a Spirit store and decide to break in, spending the night inside, unaware that an evil spirit from the town's past has taken over the store with dark intentions.
Directed by David Poag in his directorial debut, the film stars Donovan Colan (Theatre Camp), Jaiden J. Smith (Blue Bloods), Dylan Martin Frankel (Life & Beth), Marissa Reyes (A Little Family Drama), and Rachael Leigh Cook (She's All That).
The child actors in this film deliver solid performances, and it incorporates meaningful coming-of-age elements. It evokes a Stranger Things vibe in terms of relationships and perspectives. Spirit Halloween is clearly aimed at younger audiences, offering more "fun" than genuinely frightening horror. It includes some effective jump scares and well-executed CGI that adds a creepy atmosphere without going overboard. Christopher Lloyd's performance is enjoyable, and the monsters in the film are visually appealing. However, the ending falls somewhat flat.
In conclusion, Spirit Halloween is a suitable horror movie for kids who are beginning to explore the genre. I would give it a 3.5/10 and recommend watching it once.
