Recent news surrounding Halloween has been marked by a mix of cultural celebrations and tragic events. In Seoul, South Korea, a crowd crush during Halloween festivities in 2022 resulted in nearly 160 deaths, leading to convictions of former police officers for evidence destruction related to the incident. This tragedy has sparked discussions about public safety during large gatherings. Additionally, the holiday has seen a resurgence in the slasher film genre, with new releases and critiques highlighting the industry's reliance on nostalgia and gimmicks.
Halloween, celebrated on October 31, has its roots in ancient Celtic traditions, particularly the festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter. The evening is associated with themes of death and the supernatural, evolving over centuries into a more commercialized holiday. Today, it features costumes, trick-or-treating, and various festivities, making it a significant cultural event in many countries, particularly in the United States.