If I posted pictures of all the Sams in my room right now, you’d probably think I have a screw loose—maybe even two. On my bed, there’s a fleece blanket at the foot of it and a pillow shaped like his head mixed in with the rest of my pillows. On my headboard sits a sidestepper that plays music and laughter from the movie. In a cubby of my TV stand, I’ve got a lunchbox and four Funko Pops. Hanging over my curtains is a rather large wall banner. I also have a pair of slippers, two pairs of socks, and about six plastic water cups. In other words: I’m obsessed. Spirit Halloween is basically my favorite store this time of year.
I should probably stop assuming you know who I’m talking about and fill you in on the greatest modern-day horror character: Sam.
Sam is the central figure in Trick ’r Treat (2007), a Halloween-themed horror comedy built around four interconnected stories, all of which feature him in some way.
On the surface, Sam looks like an ordinary kid dressed for trick-or-treating. But underneath that burlap mask is an adorable little demon who enforces the rules of Halloween—violently. The rules are simple:
- Always wear a costume.
- Always hand out treats.
- Never extinguish a jack-o’-lantern before midnight.
- Always respect the dead.
- Never take down decorations before November 1st.
- Never harm the innocent.
Follow those, and you’ll survive the night. Break them, and Sam will make sure you don’t live to see Thanksgiving.
Sam is one of those characters I can’t help but love, even if he’s maybe one I shouldn’t. Sure, he’s technically evil—but he’s also just following his own moral compass, protecting the greatest holiday in existence. So I’m willing to make some allowances. It doesn’t hurt that he’s absolutely adorable, quite possibly the cutest horror character ever created.
It's currently on HBO Max and for rent on Apple TV and Prime Video.
I also wanted to thank Michelle of The True Book Addict for redoing my Favorite Fictional Character post images for both Halloween and Christmas, I absolutely love the new ones. I'm actually thinking about asking her to redo the weekly image as well.
