Hallowarrior review – apocalyptic Home Alone-style survival horror delivers inventive shocks

Ben Sottak's first feature film delivers eccentric Halloween frights, with Milly Shapiro shining as the innocent yet resilient home protector, Pumpkin.

This atmospheric seasonal horror merges Home Alone with Mad Max, drawing its name from Halloween rather than a warm welcome. A pandemic has decimated the population, leaving 16-year-old Pumpkin (Milly Shapiro) isolated in her rural family home in the middle of nowhere for nearly four years. This quintessential American wooden house has always been an ideal, charming yet eerie setting for Halloween, and she resolves to continue the family tradition, broadcasting a radio invitation for anyone listening to join her in celebrating the spooky season. Unfortunately, the message attracts unwelcome guests led by Thalia (Shannyn Sossamon), setting the stage for chaos.

This marks Shapiro's first major screen role since her memorable debut as the younger sister in Ari Aster's Hereditary, and she appears in nearly every scene, offering a striking showcase. The casting is excellent: Pumpkin is a compelling character—simultaneously youthful and mature, likely because she's been self-reliant during such a crucial period of her growth. She's had no adult guidance since age 12—stunting her development in some respects, while the need to survive, be entirely independent, and mourn her family alone has made her exceptionally tough in others.