In the History of Horror, Laurie Strode
Stands Out
Laurie Strode is one of the horror characters most worthy of Hero status. She has escaped death more times than anyone else, ever. At a mere 17 years old, plain and bookish Laurie had no idea that her destiny was to be attacked by, battle, and then escape from her deranged brother Michael - over and over and OVER again!
Written by The Horror Czar, Don Sumner
2006
Hero: Laurie Strode.
Villain: Michael Myers.
Movies: Halloween (1978), Halloween 2 (1981), Halloween H2O (1998), Halloween: Resurrection (2002).
Actor: Jamie Lee Curtis
What was Laurie's secret? What made Laurie Strode so capable of surviving the maniacal and murderous attempts of her beloved brother Michael Myers over more than 20 years of hacking sprees on Halloween eve? The formula for Laurie's longevity lies in a combination of her innocence, smarts and paranoia.
The saga of Laurie Strode is clearly one of innocence vs. evil. Laurie was a bookworm, Laurie didn't do drugs, Laurie didn't drink (until later) and Laurie didn't HAVE SEX!! Although Laurie (incognito under the assumed name of Keri Tate) had a 17 year old son in Halloween H2O and so clearly must have had at least SOME sex along the way, we never witness any of that on the screen. No running to the arms of a romantic companion in times of crisis, no succumbing to hormonal impulses in moments of certain doom; Laurie Strode exudes virtue throughout the Halloween series. An angel? Well, not completely I guess, but certainly enough of one to live on, basking in Horror Movie Character HERO status.
Innocence faces evil
Laurie starts the Halloween series as a bookworm, and ends up the headmistress of an elite private school... Laurie is no dummy. In fact, with the exception of hiding in a closet with no means of escape early in the series, Laurie avoids many of the common pitfalls that have spelled disaster for many a young lovely throughout horror movie history. She never investigates strange noises by wandering deep into a wooded deathtrap alone, she doesn't put her trust in mysterious strangers with questionable pasts, and she doesn't leave anything to chance.
Laurie wanders the hospital hallway
Paranoia is what keeps Laurie alive after Halloween and Halloween 2. She changes her name. She stays hidden. She even devises an elaborate trap in Halloween: Resurrection in anticipation of Michael's arrival, and hides her sedatives in her rag doll so that she can remain mentally sharp. OK, this one kind of backfires when she is hurled over the edge of a building while sporting a knife wound, but there is actually no confirmation of her demise. I am going to assume that she will be back to kick Michael-butt again.
Laurie with Dr. Loomis
One final thing that Laurie gave to all of us is a new Queen in Jamie Lee. After acting in other films such as Terror Train (my favorite) and Prom night, as well as The Fog and others, Jamie Lee Curtis has had a significant impact on the modern genre of horror movies that will live on forever. Questions or comments about Laurie Strode? Discuss her on The Ossuary Forums!
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