Often, horror films conclude by setting up sequels, particularly if they’re part of an established franchise. However, for various reasons, these sequels don’t always come to fruition as planned. For instance, a character might have been transformed into the antagonist in one film, only to have the following installment disregard this development, choosing instead to stick with what worked financially in previous films featuring different villains like Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, or Jason Voorhees. While it’s understandable that fans attend these movies to see their favorite killers, there’s a sense of letdown when the series doesn’t evolve with new characters or storylines. After all, isn’t introducing fresh blood a way to keep an aging franchise vibrant?
Absolutely, out of the three classic slasher icons mentioned earlier, two will indeed be part of the sequel. However, it’s not only those two we’ll see. Instead, we’ll explore five horror movies whose endings were overlooked by subsequent films in the genre.
The Evil Dead
As a movie enthusiast, let me share my thoughts on “The Evil Dead” sequel, “Evil Dead II”. Contrary to what you might expect, it doesn’t pick up right where the first one left off. Instead, it cleverly reimagines the original film in its opening scenes, serving as a quasi-remake.
After our hero, Ash Williams, has inadvertently buried his undead girlfriend (who just won’t stay down for good), he finds himself undergoing a terrifying transformation – he becomes possessed by the very evil he sought to destroy. This sequel doesn’t just continue the story; it redefines it, and it does so memorably with an unseen entity rapidly closing in on Ash at the end of “The Evil Dead”.
Essentially, “Evil Dead II” continues the storyline from its earlier counterpart, although not immediately at the start. Both movies are terrific, but “Evil Dead II” is often regarded as better for valid reasons. It starts off by making a bold move, and as the movie unfolds, those bold moves become even bolder.
Watch The Evil Dead on AMC+.
Jaws 3-D
1987’s “Jaws: The Revenge” doesn’t merely disregard the ending of “Jaws 3-D”, it bypasses the entire storyline. It serves more as a sequel to the original “Jaws” and its less celebrated follow-up, “Jaws 2”, rather than being the fourth installment in the series. There’s no hint of SeaWorld, no reference to Sean Brody getting attacked there, and no suggestion that Michael has a job there.
To begin, The movie titled “The Revenge” introduces Sean as the latest sheriff of Amity. Approximately 15 minutes into the film, Michael makes an appearance. Similar to “Jaws 3-D,” Michael is a marine biologist; however, their characters share little continuity beyond this similarity. It’s evident that this storyline does not follow the events of “Jaws 3-D” as Michael is depicted as a married man with a child and makes no reference to his girlfriend from the previous film, Kathryn Morgan.
Rent or Buy Jaws 3-D on Prime Video.
Friday the 13th: A New Beginning
Friday the 13th: A New Beginning” deviates significantly from the impressive slasher sequels, but its conclusion is intriguing nonetheless. It’s exploitative, its script is thin, and some of the acting leaves much to be desired. Moreover, it’s noteworthy that Jason Voorhees isn’t the primary antagonist; instead, a paramedic named Roy takes on that role.
In its final scene, the idea of being without Jason is intriguing, but it loses some appeal when you consider the title of the next movie is “Jason Lives“. Although it’s probably for the better that Paramount chose the route they did with the sixth film, as it’s often considered one of the franchise’s top-tier entries. However, after Tommy Jarvis experiencing and surviving two killing sprees, it’s not hard to imagine him arming himself with a knife as well.
Watch Friday the 13th: A New Beginning for free with ads on Pluto TV.
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
Overall, “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers” stands out as one of the stronger entries in the series. It features well-developed characters and offers a few distinctly gruesome deaths. The duo of Jamie Lloyd and Rachel Carruthers is particularly noteworthy, as their relationship feels genuine and impactful.
In the movie “Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers,” unfortunately, Rachel meets an untimely end. However, it’s not Jamie who kills her; instead, it seems that Jamie acquires her uncle Mike’s spirit in the last scene of the fourth film. This bold choice to have a young girl as the main serial killer was intriguing, but ultimately, the creators decided that fans wanted more of Michael Myers. Regrettably, despite this decision, “Revenge” didn’t attract many viewers.
Watch Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers on Shudder.
Species
The sci-fi horror film “Species” concludes with the sexually aggressive alien character played by Natasha Henstridge, Sil, being eliminated using a grenade launcher following her pregnancy and subsequent killing of Alfred Molina’s Dr. Stephen Arden and Ben Kingsley’s Xavier Fitch. Along the way, Sil delivers Arden’s half-alien baby, which is destroyed by Forest Whitaker’s character Dan Smithson before it could survive. This movie has a notable cast.
Initially, everything appears normal, but then we discover a rodent gnawing at one of Sil’s shattered tentacles. In an unexpected twist, this creature transforms and uses one of its tentacles to kill another rat. This unusual ending could have led to some intriguing developments in a potential sequel. However, the creators of Species II decided, quite accurately, that the main draw for audiences was Natasha Henstridge, the star featured on the poster. Regardless, a sequel would need significantly improved reviews compared to those received by Species II.
Watch Species on Fubo TV.
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2025-02-02 16:10