Since its release 17 years ago, Michael Dougherty’s horror anthology film Trick ‘r Treat has developed quite a cult following despite receiving a straight-to-DVD release. Fans have long sung its praises as a severely underappreciated slasher masterpiece. Furthermore, critics have identified it as a solid horror film robbed of mainstream treatment. Now, after nearly a two-decade wait, it can be enjoyed from the comfort (or shall we say discomfort?) of your own home. Trick ‘r Treat began streaming on Max last month. So, what is it about this creepy sleeper hit that makes it so underrated, and why is it only coming to streaming now?

Something for Every Horror Fan
Warner Bros.

Trick ‘r Treat follows four interwoven stories on one Halloween night in the fictional Warren Valley. The one thread that ties all the plotlines together is Sam, a murderous, demonic child who wears a burlap sack over his head. As Sam terrorizes anyone who breaks “Halloween tradition,” the audience is treated to vignettes that include the likes of serial killers, werewolves, zombie teens, and more. Think Love, Actually, but with much more murder.

With a run time of only 83 minutes, the pacing never atrophies. It has almost anything you could look for in a Halloween watch, from camp to gore. It is chock-full of recognizable tropes in the best way, such as the inclusion of a recognizable actress who is killed in the first scene. As a love letter to horror movies past (with plenty of direct references for enthusiasts to spot), Trick ‘r Treat has all the essential ingredients to cultivate the perfect scary yet amusing Halloween vibe.

Not to mention, the ensemble cast consists of quite a slew of impressive names. Anna Paquin appears just a year ahead of True Blood’s debut. Brian Cox, who most recently took television and awards seasons by storm as the patriarch in HBO’s Succession, stars as a sinister curmudgeon. Other recognizable faces pop up throughout the film, such as Dylan Baker (Revolutionary Road) and Leslie Bibb (the Iron Man franchise). Trick ‘r Treat has a real “who’s who,” Easter egg quality. Watching feels like a scavenger hunt with rewards for media fans of all spirits, which certainly feeds into the cult classic status Trick ‘r Treat has come to know.

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Trick ‘r Treat Never Made It to Theaters
Warner Bros

Trick ‘r Treat is the directorial debut by Dougherty (who would go on to create films like Krampus), who also wrote the script. The concept for the film was based on his original character, Sam, who appeared in a short film created by Dougherty before Trick ‘r Treat’s release (the short film can be seen as a bonus on some versions of the release, including the original DVD release).

Trick ‘r Treat initially premiered at a handful of small festivals and San Diego Comic-Con, but otherwise, it went straight to home video, meaning in a time before streaming, many horror fans never got to appreciate what a fun, expertly crafted homage to the genre it is. For years, those who had seen and appreciated Trick ‘r Treat inquired about when it would be available on streaming, recognizing how well it would do if it only had the proper vehicle to get before an audience. It seems that Max has finally taken the cue.

Why Is It So Underrated?

In the early 2000s, it was not uncommon for great movies that lacked a big budget to receive a straight-DVD treatment. However, most are forgotten and few develop any kind of following. What is it about Trick ‘r Treat that has such staying power? Well, for a film that is honoring and satirizing an entire genre, it is still a very unique and singular film. It has a tremendous amount of character that you would be hard-pressed to find in a lot of horror films of the same era.

Moreover, it is incredibly multi-faceted. While it is humorous and sort of ridiculous (Sam murders his victims with a jagged lollipop, for example), it is equal parts deep and thought-provoking. Trick ‘r Treat, like so many of the all-time great horror movies, has a lot to say; it comments on class stratification, the objectification of women, and community exclusion, to name just a few. It does all of this while simultaneously being incredibly gruesome and providing memorable kills that would satiate any slasher purist.

From a narrative perspective, it is full of satisfying twists and turns. Aside from being a faithful tribute to horror, it is also just a successful movie. It is no wonder that audiences and critics responded so positively and still are years later when every element comes together in such a rare way.

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It is also no wonder, considering all of this, that a possible sequel has been being teased since 2009. Dougherty has provided yearly updates on Halloween regarding the status of the sequel. As of 2023, it still seems like nothing more than an idea and a few drafts of a script. Still, the impact of Trick ‘r Treat and particularly the now iconic Sam can be felt even without the addition of more films. Since 2015, the film has spurred the creation of a successful graphic novelseries. Sam has even served as an unofficial mascot for Spirit Halloween since the film started circulating in its cult status. The future of the Trick ‘r Treat franchise is still to be determined, but for the time being, fans can rest un-easy knowing that Sam, the werewolves, and the entire spooky gang can now be found waiting for them anytime on Max.