Digging into the Core of Michael and Laurie’s Rivalry

Michael Myers, the iconic slasher villain from the Halloween franchise, has been terrorizing audiences for decades. One of his primary targets throughout the series is Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis. But why does Michael want to kill Laurie specifically? Let’s delve into the motivations behind this deadly rivalry.

In the H20 timeline, which ignores the events of the sequels and follows directly after the second film, Michael’s obsession with Laurie becomes apparent. This obsession can be attributed to what some refer to as “completion anxiety.” Essentially, Michael wants to eliminate anything that poses a threat to his sense of completion or closure.

Laurie, being his sister, represents a link to his past and the traumatic events that shaped his murderous tendencies. By killing Laurie, Michael believes he can finally put an end to his torment and achieve the closure he seeks.

Throughout the Halloween films, Laurie repeatedly escapes Michael’s clutches, further fueling his desire to eliminate her. Each time she evades him, it intensifies his need to complete his mission and eliminate the last remaining member of his family.

But why does Michael not simply kill Laurie when he has the chance? This becomes evident in the climactic scene of Halloween: H20. After a fierce battle, Laurie manages to gain the upper hand and stabs Michael to death. However, her actions do not end there.

In a shocking twist, Laurie puts on Michael’s iconic mask, symbolizing her embracing the darkness within herself. She delivers a chilling line, telling the dying Michael that she loves him. This act of violence and manipulation demonstrates Laurie’s desire to take control and fully overcome her fears.

Michael’s decision to hurt Laurie instead of killing her initially is deliberate. He wants to prolong her suffering, to make her understand the pain he has endured for so long. By toying with her, he seeks to inflict emotional anguish and ensure she experiences the same torment he endured throughout his life.

The complex dynamic between Michael and Laurie is a significant aspect of the Halloween franchise. It showcases the psychological struggle between a relentless killer and his determined sister, each driven by their own motivations.

As the series continues to evolve, the reasons behind Michael’s desire to kill Laurie may shift or be reimagined. However, the core of their rivalry remains rooted in the idea of closure, completion, and the eternal battle between good and evil.

Michael’s obsession with killing Laurie stems from his need for closure and the eradication of any threat to his sense of completion. Their deadly rivalry showcases the psychological struggle between two individuals driven by their own motivations. As the Halloween franchise continues, the reasons behind Michael’s desire to kill Laurie may evolve, but the core of their relationship remains a captivating and enduring aspect of the series.

Does Michael Try To Kill Laurie?

In the movie, Michael Myers does attempt to kill Laurie Strode. After a series of intense confrontations, Laurie manages to injure Michael by shooting him multiple times and even slitting his throat. However, as seen in previous installments of the franchise, Michael is a formidable and relentless killer who refuses to stay down.

Despite his injuries, Michael fights back and tries to strangle Laurie. This emphasizes the twisted and complex nature of their rivalry. In this particular moment, it seems like Laurie contemplates allowing Michael to strangle her, possibly as a way to bring an end to their ongoing battle. This signifies the deep psychological connection and obsession between the two characters.

It is important to note that the portrayal of these events may vary across different movies or storylines within the Halloween franchise. The specific details of Michael’s attempts to kill Laurie may differ in different installments or retellings.

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Why Does Michael Myers Keep Trying To Kill Laurie?

Michael Myers keeps trying to kill Laurie because of his deep-rooted completion anxiety. This term, coined by Nica Pierce, refers to a psychological condition where an individual experiences intense anxiety if they cannot complete a task or achieve a specific goal. In Michael’s case, his goal is to eliminate Laurie, the one who got away and has repeatedly escaped his clutches.

It all started in the original “Halloween” movie, when Laurie managed to survive Michael’s initial killing spree. This triggered his completion anxiety, as he was unable to fulfill his objective of eliminating her. Subsequently, in the sequels and reboots of the franchise, Michael’s obsession with Laurie intensifies, driven by his need to finish what he started.

Despite multiple encounters over the years, Laurie continues to evade Michael’s attempts to kill her. This constant elusiveness only fuels his completion anxiety further, motivating him to persistently pursue her. Whether it’s through sheer determination or sheer luck, Laurie manages to escape time and time again.

The H2O timeline is especially noteworthy because it highlights this ongoing struggle between Michael and Laurie. In this particular timeline, Michael’s desire to kill Laurie is heightened, as he becomes aware of her existence and whereabouts after years of hiding. This newfound knowledge reignites his completion anxiety, compelling him to go after her once more.

Michael Myers’ relentless pursuit of Laurie stems from his completion anxiety. His inability to eliminate her in the past, combined with her repeated successful escapes, fuels his obsession to finish what he started. This psychological dynamic adds depth and tension to the H2O timeline, making it a compelling aspect of the Halloween franchise.

What Did Laurie Do To Michael?

In the climactic scene of the film, Laurie discovers the truth about Michael and has an intense emotional reaction. She becomes hysterical and storms out of the Brackett house, likely overwhelmed by the shocking revelation. After processing this information, Laurie confronts Michael in a final confrontation. In a moment of surprising vulnerability, she tells him that she loves him before ultimately delivering a fatal blow, stabbing him to death. As a final twist, Laurie then puts on Michael’s iconic mask, symbolizing her acceptance of the darkness within herself.

Does Michael Myers Want To Kill His Sister Laurie?

According to the storyline of the Halloween movie franchise, Michael Myers does have a desire to kill his sister, Laurie Strode. However, there are specific reasons why he may not immediately try to kill her.

1. Emotional torment: Michael Myers has a complex and twisted relationship with Laurie Strode. In the original Halloween movie, it is revealed that Laurie is Michael’s younger sister. This familial connection adds a layer of psychological torment to his actions. He may want to prolong her suffering by inflicting emotional pain before ultimately ending her life.

2. Psychological manipulation: Michael Myers is known for his calculated and methodical approach to killing. By initially hurting Laurie instead of immediately killing her, he may be attempting to manipulate her emotions and create a sense of fear and helplessness. This psychological warfare adds to his sadistic nature and allows him to relish in the power he has over his sister.

3. Building tension: In horror movies, suspense and tension play a crucial role in keeping the audience engaged. By not immediately killing Laurie, Michael Myers creates a sense of anticipation and fear, heightening the overall intensity of the film. This approach keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering when he will make his final move.

4. Establishing a connection: In some instances, Michael Myers may want to establish a connection with Laurie before killing her. This could be driven by a desire to re-establish their sibling bond or to relish in the satisfaction of killing someone he has a personal connection with. By hurting her first, he may be attempting to strengthen this connection, albeit in a twisted and sadistic way.

It is important to note that the motivations and intentions of fictional characters like Michael Myers are open to interpretation and can vary across different iterations of the Halloween franchise. However, these reasons provide a possible explanation for why Michael initially chooses to hurt Laurie rather than immediately kill her.

Conclusion

Michael Myers is a complex and enigmatic character in the Halloween franchise. Throughout the various timelines and films, his motivations and actions towards Laurie Strode have evolved, showcasing a deep-rooted rivalry and a desire to inflict pain upon her rather than simply kill her.

In the H20 timeline, Michael’s completion anxiety drives him to specifically target Laurie. He relentlessly pursues her, but she manages to escape time and time again, creating a sense of frustration and obsession within him. This desire for completion, coupled with his sadistic tendencies, leads Michael to engage in a deadly game of cat and mouse with Laurie.

Interestingly, Michael’s intention to hurt rather than kill Laurie is evident in the way he attacks her. Despite his ability to kill with ease, he purposefully misses when stabbing her, prolonging her suffering and torment. This deliberate act highlights his twisted desire to not only end Laurie’s life but to inflict emotional and physical pain upon her.

Furthermore, the climax of the film H20 showcases the complex relationship between Michael and Laurie. In a shocking twist, Laurie professes her love for him before ultimately killing him and donning his iconic mask. This act further emphasizes the deep psychological connection between the two characters, blurring the lines between victim and villain.

Michael Myers is a fascinating character whose motivations and actions towards Laurie Strode are driven by a combination of completion anxiety, sadistic tendencies, and a twisted emotional connection. His relentless pursuit and desire to hurt rather than kill Laurie add layers of complexity to his character, making him a truly memorable and terrifying antagonist in the horror genre.

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William Armstrong

William Armstrong is a senior editor with H-O-M-E.org, where he writes on a wide variety of topics. He has also worked as a radio reporter and holds a degree from Moody College of Communication. William was born in Denton, TX and currently resides in Austin.