How Rob Zombie’s Halloween Movies Ruined Dr. Loomis

Rob Zombie’s Halloween movies have their fans, but one character he just didn’t do right by was Michael Myers’ psychiatrist Dr. Sam Loomis. The most famous and also final role of distinguished character actor Donald Pleasance – also well-known for playing Bond villain Blofeld in You Only Live Twice – Dr. Loomis definitely has his moments of being a jerk in the original Halloween franchise. He even seems a bit crazy in the later sequels, but at the end of the day, Loomis always has an admirable goal: put a stop to Michael Myers’ killing spree.

While most slasher movies have a “final girl” that has a showdown with the monster, and Jamie Lee Curtis’ Laurie Strode is certainly one of the best of that type of character, Dr. Loomis is a novelty in that he’s an additional hero of the film. As Loomis says, he spent years trying to reach Michael, and then another seven working to keep him locked up, knowing that Michael’s escape would only lead to innocent lives being lost.

Dr. Loomis, as played by Pleasance, remains a beloved character in the annals of horror history, but the version of Loomis seen in Rob Zombie’s Halloween films is unlikely to earn the same affection. Malcolm McDowell is a great actor, and should’ve been a great casting choice, but what Zombie did to Loomis was a shame.

How Rob Zombie’s Halloween Movies Ruined Dr. Loomis

Malcolm McDowell’s Dr. Sam Loomis seems a bit rougher around the edges in Rob Zombie’s first Halloween film than did Pleasance’s version of the character, but never really to the point that he becomes unlikable or off-putting. It’s in Zombie’s Halloween 2 that Loomis’ characterization goes flying into a wall at high speed. Now, this isn’t an indictment of McDowell, who’s spent quite a bit of his career playing charismatic jerks, and doesn’t do a bad job in Halloween 2. The problem is Dr. Loomis isn’t supposed to be a jerk, he’s supposed to be a good guy, albeit a sometimes flawed one.

While McDowell’s Loomis shows flashes of courage and heroism in Halloween 2, the time between films seems to have turned him into an absolute bastard. This Loomis is only really concerned with book sales and fame, and is happy to make a buck on the backs of those who died at Michael Myers’ hands. He constantly berates his assistant, is rude and mean to basically everyone, and ignores signs that Michael might still be alive, not wanting to let that get in the way of his publicity tour. By the time Michael brutally murders his former doctor near the end of the sequel, it’s hard to feel sorry for him. While he did eventually try to be of help, his attempt to do good came too little too late, even for Halloween protagonist Laurie Strode, who had by then lost her mind.

About The Author