Michael Dougherty blatantly set out to create a new horror icon when making Trick 'r Treat, noting that he wanted Halloween to have its own mascot. He totally succeeded with Sam, one of the greatest horror creations of all time. Sam is a mysterious creature wearing orange pajamas and a burlap sack over his head, and he wanders around on Halloween night slipping into the sea of trick or treaters. It's revealed that Sam is some sort of protector of Halloween, only targeting people to kill who disrespect the holiday and don't honor its traditions. Giving kids pennies instead of candy? Not decorating your house at all? Taking in your pumpkins early? Look out, Sam might just give you a visit. He's both lovably cute and then suddenly really threatening as he's inching towards you holding his candy bar blade, and he's even scarier when he's finally unmasked at the end. Easter has the Easter Bunny, Christmas has Santa Claus, and now Halloween has Sam. He's the most defining horror icon of this generation, and he'll be indelibly associated with the holiday for years to come.
