Without Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie -- a realistically smart, brave teen who tries to protect the kids she babysits -- the film's cast would be a pretty unsympathetic bunch of shallow, hormonal teens (who disdain books and education) and nasty adults.

Though the blood flow is left to the viewer's imagination, there are stabbings and strangulation, including one victim left hanging on a door (pinned by the knife). Another character is stuck in the eye with a wire hanger, and another falls down the stairs. One shooting. One of Myers' victims is the family dog.

A teen girl is shown clad only in panties after sex. Another underage couple is shown in bed together.

Occasional profanity. "S--t," "goddamn," "ass."

Plugs for other movies admired by filmmaker John Carpenter, in clips from The Thing and Forbidden Planet.

High schoolers smoke and drink beer.