Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
Four interwoven stories that occur on Halloween: an everyday high school principal has a secret life as a serial killer; a college virgin might have just met the one guy for her; a group of teenagers pull a mean prank, and a bitter old recluse receives an uninvited guest.
Trick 'r Treat earns a strong Novelty score for its brilliantly interwoven anthology structure — stories that loop back and intersect in clever, unexpected ways rather than sitting in isolated segments. The Halloween atmosphere is crafted with genuine love and specificity, making it feel like a holiday institution unto itself. Sam as a mascot/threat is a memorably original creation. Plot is solid but leans on familiar horror tropes executed with style rather than subverted. Acting is competent and fun without being exceptional. Cinematography is above average with strong use of autumnal color and shadow but doesn't transcend the genre. The ending wraps the anthology threads satisfyingly, though it doesn't deliver a knockout final punch.