Key Highlights
- Halloween II contains the most disturbing death in the franchise.
- The death of Ben Tramer, a 17-year-old trick-or-treater, is particularly upsetting due to his mistaken identity and slow, horrific death.
- Despite its disturbing content, Halloween II remains the strongest sequel in the franchise.
- The events of Halloween II are not canon in the newest timeline, with Ben Tramer mentioned as alive in David Gordon Green’s sequel trilogy.
Halloween II: The Most Disturbing Death in the Franchise
In a franchise known for its brutal and shocking kill scenes, one death stands out from the rest. According to the original article, the most disturbing death in the Halloween series belongs to Ben Tramer, who appears in 1981’s Halloween II. This tragic event is particularly upsetting due to its unexpected nature and the horrific manner of Ben’s death.
The article states that Ben Tramer, a normal 17-year-old trick-or-treating on Halloween night, was mistaken for Michael Myers by Dr.
Loomis and Sheriff Brackett. As they chased him down the street, Ben was run over by an approaching police car at high speed. The car slammed Ben up against a van before exploding, engulfing him in flames and leading to his slow and agonizing death.
According to the original content, this death is significant because it is one of only two deaths not caused directly by Michael Myers or Corey Cunningham (excluding Halloween III: Season of the Witch).
Moreover, unlike many other deaths in the franchise, there are no consequences for the Haddonfield police’s mistake. This makes the event even more disturbing, as it highlights a lack of accountability and justice.
The Strongest Sequel: Halloween II
Despite the disturbing nature of Ben Tramer’s death, Halloween II is still considered one of the strongest entries in the franchise. The article mentions that this film remains the best sequel in the series and picks up immediately where the original 1978 film ends.
Brian Yuzna, who directed Halloween II, aimed to maintain the classic horror vibe established by John Carpenter’s original. The article notes that this is the only other Halloween movie directed by John Carpenter, with the director also writing the screenplay and scoring the soundtrack himself.
Halloween II not only features memorable kill scenes but also develops several characters from the franchise universe.
It introduces a significant storyline about Laurie Strode being Michael Myers’ half-sister, which would continue into later films in the Carpenter era. This plot twist adds depth to the overall narrative and sets up future installments in the series.
Implications for the Franchise
The inclusion of Ben Tramer’s death raises interesting questions about the franchise’s handling of its characters and storylines. The original article suggests that this event could have been used more effectively to justify certain plot points, particularly regarding Haddonfield’s residents’ behavior in later films like Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends.
Despite being the strongest sequel, Halloween II‘s events are not canon in the newest timeline. In David Gordon Green’s sequel trilogy, Ben Tramer is mentioned to be alive.
This context helps to understand the franchise’s complex narrative structure and the challenges faced by filmmakers in maintaining continuity across different timelines.
The article concludes with a sense of regret that such a disturbing event was not utilized more effectively within the franchise. It highlights how the horror genre can push boundaries but also raises ethical questions about how characters are treated and killed, especially when those deaths have lasting impacts on the story’s direction.
