The idea of being alone, young and vulnerable, and caring for a younger child creates part of the suspense and horror inherent in the film, as the innocent Laurie is attacked by Michael.

Halloween" is best classified as a horror film and indeed only a horror film -- it does not transcend the genre in any way or provoke philosophical questions about the responsibility of creation like "Frankenstein" or challenge our ideas about morality like "The Silence of the Lambs." Michael has no perverse charm like Hannibal Lector or the vampires of "Interview with the Vampire." There are no shades of grey in the film, except for the shadows that conceal Michael's shadowy presence as he lies in wait, watching for his victims until he can strike at the moment when they are most unaware, like a boogeyman in a closet.

Halloween" is perhaps best viewed as an example of...
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