10 Horror Movie Casting Choices That Should've Worked (But Didn't)
7. Malcolm McDowell - Halloween
Malcolm McDowell is one of the movie business’ most naturally charismatic actors. From his breakthrough in If… through A Clockwork Orange and the maddeningly underrated Gangster No. 1, the silky tone and twinkling eyes of the prolific performer always reassure you you’re in for a good time.
What he’s not, though, is a master of subtlety, and while his turn as Dr Samuel Loomis is most likely the highlight of Rob Zombie’s Halloween, the tone just isn’t quite right. In John Carpenter’s original - which relies far more on carefully built tension than jumps and gore - Loomis cuts a realistically unimpressive figure. He’s the one sane man warning of Michael Myers’ escape from the hospital - a striding, cool hero he is not.
McDowell, by comparison, can’t help but ooze charm and machismo, tearing into his lines with theatrical relish. While Donald Pleasence’s turn in the original was panicked and pleading, McDowell is blusterous and aggressive, to the point that Michael’s fear factor is to a degree diminished.
He’s great fun to watch, as he always is, but Loomis is supposed to be the grounding of the picture, and that’s not something the otherworldly McDowell can offer.