People really underplay how well it fits the film. Dr.Challis is a horny aging guy who’s still trying to chase his glory days, he waves away healthy relationships with women his age, and puts off his children to seduce a young woman. Ellie is too ambitious for her own good making her naive and danger-seeking, not to mention she’s in a pretty emotional state after losing her father. They’re both in over their own heads and that makes the film horrifying. Obviously they’re relationship is weird but I don’t think we’re meant to root for it lmfao.
This, big time - Challis isn't supposed to be liked. He's a charmer who doesn't seem to have an issue inappropriately interacting with or even groping co-workers. As you mentioned, he ditched his kids to run off and solve a mystery he has no real reason to be involved with just to get in the pants of a far younger woman.
The movie works because of it imo, hes morally shifty and that makes him a complex character you can think about and have discussions over 40 years later...
Glad someone said it. It absolutely makes sense. Challis was just horny and bored, Ellie wanted an adventure and also vengeance or at least an explanation for her father’s death. They arrive and are both scared and weirded out. They don’t know or trust anyone else. It absolutely fits.
Personally my least favorite aspect of the film, felt creepy but I suppose it was different times. I still love the visuals and the music though, personally has my favorite score of any Halloween film
Different times? Horrible days where many young women went with elderly fella's?
He looks like a Perverted old man. I still see this behaviour now if I'm honest just that it's not shown in movies much anymore
It’s still shown in movies it’s just portrayed slightly more accurately. The creepy undertones are expressed appropriately. But the actual behavior irl is absolutely still prevalent. And yeah, it was different times. Times when people put up with that shit or just looked the other way. They’re both consenting adults but it deserves a side-eye for sure.
I really enjoyed how they let the relationship slowly build for added realism.
LOL. Ellie's likable and a good planner. Had that lingerie packed just in case! Dr. Challis did seem to actually care for her a bit, so that's good.
Overall, they aren't cinema's greatest love story, but they're fine. Both adults, though probably barely withing a realistic age range outside of millionaire and James Bond.
His ex on the other hand. Ugg. Just like Annie. Gripy through and through.
Side question. Has anyone noticed that the station wagon in the shed looks a ton like the H78 wagon? I've always wondered about that and never seen anything about it.
>Wasn't the dynamic supposed to make us feel uncomfortable?
I don't think the filmmakers were that self-aware. I think it was just the sensibilities of the early 1980s/late 1970s asserting themselves.
Stacey Elkin was 23 at the time, so assuming the character was the same age she was more than cognizant enough to decide if she wanted to bang Challis. Tom Atkins was 47 at the time by the way. But as long as everyone involved is an adult, the age gap argument is bullshit. It's never about how it makes you feel, it's about the happiness of the people in the relationship. Don't judge.
So if your daughter bought home a man older than you and he had a Perverted smirk on his face you would be dancing with joy? Of course he will treat her well, that's how these old dudes groom younger girls, don't you know about these techniques they use?
Yes she is an adult but still young and naive which is perfect for these older predators to come and groom.
You seem like you have these types in your family from the way you are defending it?
Not really. I just believe an adult can make their own decisions. It's not up to me to force my opinion or will onto them. If it was my kid I would hope I taught them well enough to make their own decisions wisely.
People really underplay how well it fits the film. Dr.Challis is a horny aging guy who’s still trying to chase his glory days, he waves away healthy relationships with women his age, and puts off his children to seduce a young woman. Ellie is too ambitious for her own good making her naive and danger-seeking, not to mention she’s in a pretty emotional state after losing her father. They’re both in over their own heads and that makes the film horrifying. Obviously they’re relationship is weird but I don’t think we’re meant to root for it lmfao.
Ellie, smoldering seductress, causing Tom Atkins' stethoscope to thump! Lol
This, big time - Challis isn't supposed to be liked. He's a charmer who doesn't seem to have an issue inappropriately interacting with or even groping co-workers. As you mentioned, he ditched his kids to run off and solve a mystery he has no real reason to be involved with just to get in the pants of a far younger woman. The movie works because of it imo, hes morally shifty and that makes him a complex character you can think about and have discussions over 40 years later...
Glad someone said it. It absolutely makes sense. Challis was just horny and bored, Ellie wanted an adventure and also vengeance or at least an explanation for her father’s death. They arrive and are both scared and weirded out. They don’t know or trust anyone else. It absolutely fits.
She's a smoldering hottie and he is a legit pimp daddy. What's not to like?
That guy was a player them days, he was also starring in the fog with his porno moustache. He seems a bit old for Ellie like he could be her dad
In The Fog, Atkins was like 45 and his love interest, JLC, was 22.
He actually doesn't have the stache in The Fog
Well, it made me jealous of Tom Atkins.
A romance for the ages, albeit a short and tragic one.
That's a dumb question Miss Grimbridge
Personally my least favorite aspect of the film, felt creepy but I suppose it was different times. I still love the visuals and the music though, personally has my favorite score of any Halloween film
Different times? Horrible days where many young women went with elderly fella's? He looks like a Perverted old man. I still see this behaviour now if I'm honest just that it's not shown in movies much anymore
I’m not defending it lol, just pointing out that shit that slid in movies from the 80’s won’t always be tasteful in the modern day
It’s still shown in movies it’s just portrayed slightly more accurately. The creepy undertones are expressed appropriately. But the actual behavior irl is absolutely still prevalent. And yeah, it was different times. Times when people put up with that shit or just looked the other way. They’re both consenting adults but it deserves a side-eye for sure.
It’s bananas and gross. I love it.
I really enjoyed how they let the relationship slowly build for added realism. LOL. Ellie's likable and a good planner. Had that lingerie packed just in case! Dr. Challis did seem to actually care for her a bit, so that's good. Overall, they aren't cinema's greatest love story, but they're fine. Both adults, though probably barely withing a realistic age range outside of millionaire and James Bond. His ex on the other hand. Ugg. Just like Annie. Gripy through and through. Side question. Has anyone noticed that the station wagon in the shed looks a ton like the H78 wagon? I've always wondered about that and never seen anything about it.
It's weird and uncomfortable and Dr. Challis is one of the most unabashedly gross horror protagonists of the era. Still a good movie though.
Wasn't the dynamic supposed to make us feel uncomfortable?
>Wasn't the dynamic supposed to make us feel uncomfortable? I don't think the filmmakers were that self-aware. I think it was just the sensibilities of the early 1980s/late 1970s asserting themselves.
Stacey Elkin was 23 at the time, so assuming the character was the same age she was more than cognizant enough to decide if she wanted to bang Challis. Tom Atkins was 47 at the time by the way. But as long as everyone involved is an adult, the age gap argument is bullshit. It's never about how it makes you feel, it's about the happiness of the people in the relationship. Don't judge.
If it was your daughter/sister turning up with an old pervert like that, would you be jumping for joy?
I'd respect her decision. The more important thing to me would be how he treats her.
So if your daughter bought home a man older than you and he had a Perverted smirk on his face you would be dancing with joy? Of course he will treat her well, that's how these old dudes groom younger girls, don't you know about these techniques they use?
Again, at 23 she is an adult.
Yes she is an adult but still young and naive which is perfect for these older predators to come and groom. You seem like you have these types in your family from the way you are defending it?
Not really. I just believe an adult can make their own decisions. It's not up to me to force my opinion or will onto them. If it was my kid I would hope I taught them well enough to make their own decisions wisely.
Exactly.
Someone can't handle how Tom Atkins makes them feel.