Why Did Michael Myers Kill His Sister?

In the original 1978 halloween film, the motivations behind Michael Myers' actions are often left ambiguous, enhancing his character as a seemingly emotionless and unstoppable force of evil. This ambiguity has been a cornerstone of the Halloween franchise's appeal, with subsequent films exploring different aspects of his backstory and motivations, but the initial incident remains a foundational moment in the series.

Michael Myers: A Fictional Character

Michael Myers is a fictional character in the Halloween film series, known for his terrifying presence and relentless pursuit of victims. In later installments of the franchise, additional details and backstory were provided to expand upon his character, delving into his psychological and supernatural origins.

Psychological and Supernatural Explanations

As the series progressed, various sequels and remakes explored different theories to explain Michael Myers' violent tendencies. Different films in the series have delved into themes of trauma, mental illness, and supernatural forces that drive his murderous impulses. The specific reasons behind his decision to kill his sister may vary depending on the storyline and the creative direction of the films, but the initial act serves as a crucial plot point that establishes his character as a ruthless and relentless antagonist in the franchise.

The Horror of Michael Myers

The horror of Michael Myers lies in the fact that we don’t know what truly drove him to kill his sister. He stabbed his sister to death and was later taken to an asylum where his psychiatrist, Dr. Sam Loomis, was tasked with trying to help treat Michael and help him become a normal person again. However, even in this period of apparent therapy, there was no clear reason for his actions, nor did it lead to a change in his relentless violence.

In the 2018 sequel, Halloween: Kills, the concept of "The Shape", the official monster name given to Michael, was further explored. John Carpenter, the director, aimed to create a human killer with an almost supernatural and otherworldly aura, emphasizing that Michael, despite looking human, is not. He is described as having the "shape" of a human but not the essence or emotions of one.

Unexplained Violence and the Name "The Shape"

The name shape was meant to illustrate that Michael Myers only has the appearance of a human but is not truly human, both in terms of his behavior and his mental state. He walks and moves like a robot, tilts his head often for no apparent reason, and wears a William Shatner mask that completely obscures his face, creating an emotionless, blank, and soulless appearance. This creates a feeling that whatever is behind that mask is not human, despite the outward appearance.

Importantly, in the original 1978 film, Laurie Strode, the person Michael was stalking, was never implied or claimed to be related to him in any way. Laurie was simply an unlucky girl who was chosen by "The Shape" to be his next victim. In later sequels, the concept of revenge became more prevalent, but even here, Michael's actions lack coherent motivation. He simply went on a killing spree against anyone he laid eyes upon, driven by a seemingly unexplained and insatiable bloodlust.

Ultimately, the horror of Michael Myers lies in the fact that his violence is rooted in an undefined evil. There is no method or reasoning behind it—only pure, unrelenting terror and death.