This weekend Michael Myers rises again in Halloween Kills. But this evil being from the 1978 classic is not the only classic character returning. Fans of the horror classic will recognize some of the then kids now adults that return in this film. One of the names you’ll recognize is Lonnie Elam.

From John Carpenter’s classic, Lonnie’s backstory will unfold. Including how his close call with Michael Myers affected him into his adulthood. To recreate some of the early events in flashback scenes, Halloween Kills brought in Tristian Eggerling as the young Lonnie Elam. In this film, he is making his big-screen debut.

With the release of Halloween Kills, LRM Online’s Emmanuel Gomez spoke with Tristian about his role. During our conversation, we talk about his feelings about kicking off his feature film career with such an iconic horror franchise. He also tells us a little bit about getting ready for the role and what to expect from Lonnie. With it being his first big-screen role, he also shares with us some of the things he learned on set. You can check out the full interview below!

Synopsis for Halloween Kills

Minutes after Laurie Strode (Curtis), her daughter Karen (Judy Greer) and granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) left masked monster Michael Myers caged and burning in Laurie’s basement, Laurie is rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, believing she finally killed her lifelong tormentor. 

But when Michael manages to free himself from Laurie’s trap, his ritual bloodbath resumes. As Laurie fights her pain and prepares to defend herself against him, she inspires all of Haddonfield to rise up against their unstoppable monster. 

The Strode women join a group of other survivors of Michael’s first rampage who decide to take matters into their own hands, forming a vigilante mob that sets out to hunt Michael down, once and for all. 

Evil dies tonight.

Interview with Tristian Eggerling

Emmanuel Gomez: First of all, congratulations on your first feature film. How bonkers is it that the first feature film is part of this iconic horror franchise?

Tristian Eggerling: I mean, it’s a great way to start off for sure. I’m absolutely thrilled to be such a part of just such an iconic franchise that is even older than I am. It’s still popular today just as much as it was in the ’70s.

Emmanuel Gomez: Yes, absolutely. So are you a fan of Halloween and maybe of the horror genre in general?

Tristian Eggerling: I think the original Halloween is definitely a true classic and pioneer of the horror genre. But apparently, I’ve been told I’m no fun to watch horror movies with. Because when I get scared, I start talking nonstop and I just talk right through the movie. The bad thing is that I’m not really brave enough to watch horror films on my own. So I get kind of stuck there.

Emmanuel Gomez: I’ll be honest with you. I was that way a couple of years ago as well, but getting into the interviewing business, I don’t really have a choice sometimes. So I’ve had to kind of go that callous. Hopefully working on films like this is going to help you out and you can enjoy more horror movies in the future.

Tristian Eggerling: Yeah, definitely. Hopefully, I can grow a little bit of immunity here.

Emmanuel Gomez: In your opinion, what makes Michael Myers such an iconic horror character?

Tristian Eggerling: Well, the dark clothing and the tall shadowy figure, I think personally, points the audience’s attention towards his silver and shined mask. So I think the most iconic detail about The Shape is definitely his mask and ultimately what lies underneath it. I don’t know about you, but I think it is kind of creepy that his slow strides kept up with all my sprinting in the movie.

Emmanuel Gomez: That’s I think the case with many of the people who try to run from him. You think you’re getting away, but I guess not.

Tristian Eggerling: Yeah. He’s got in there a mean stride.

Emmanuel Gomez: You know what? It’s funny to imagine that anytime the camera’s not on him, he’s sprinting.

Tristian: Yeah. That’s a pretty good theory. Feel like he’s teleporting around.

Emmanuel Gomez: Yeah, maybe. So let’s talk a little bit about Lonnie because we’ve seen him in the past, and tell me where do we find him in Halloween Kills?

Tristian Eggerling: All I can really say is you will relive Lonnie’s past and you’ll follow his present in the movie.

Emmanuel Gomez: Hmm. Okay. I look forward to seeing that expand a little bit more because he had such a close encounter in the first movie.

Tristian Eggerling: Yeah. It gets pretty good.

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Emmanuel Gomez: Since we haven’t seen so much of him in the previous film, how did you prepare for your role, and I know you can’t say much, but do we get to see an additional story about him?

Tristian Eggerling: Well, I really watched the clips of the original Halloween and broke down Lonnie’s character with the material that I had. Then on set with David Gordon Green we rebuilt the character together through improv. I’d say his story definitely gets expanded on in Halloween Kills and you definitely get to see a lot more of him.

Emmanuel Gomez: Great. Yeah. It’s exciting for fans who have invested so much time in all these films to be able to see a character from the original expanded a little bit more.

Tristian Eggerling: Yeah, definitely. They brought him into the light and gave him some growth.

Emmanuel Gomez: Nice. So tell me, being that this is your first feature film, what has been your experience on set?

Tristian Eggerling: Well, I got to work with some great people like Chris Nelson, David Gordon Green, Dylan Arnold, and Mr. Longstreet. I also got to see how the crew created a creepy atmosphere with wind machines, smoke machines, and lighting. And of course, how the prop master worked with everybody in continuity and stuff to kind of hide little nostalgic nods and Easter eggs around the set.

Emmanuel Gomez: That’s good to know. Because then I’ll be looking out for a couple of the Easter eggs then as well. What did you learn from your time there? What is your biggest takeaway from working on a film like this?

Tristian Eggerling: Lots. I grew tremendously as an actor. There’s just something to say about getting the opportunity to work on your skillset with masters of their craft in horror. I learned how to play in the moment and how to sell physical fear and danger, and stuff like improv and wild lines with the famous director.

Emmanuel Gomez: What is it like to be face to face with The Shape?

Tristian Eggerling: Daunting and scary. He’s very ominous. He’s very tall too.

Emmanuel Gomez: The height can’t help. Being that you’re able to work in this franchise now with Halloween, is there any other additional franchises you wish maybe you can work on in the future?

Tristian Eggerling: Well, I definitely love action-adventure, so like Marvel movies and Star Wars. It would be a dream to have a role in either of those. And also, of course, anything Blumhouse has in the works, I would absolutely love to be a part of again.

Emmanuel Gomez: Awesome. Tristian, thank you so much for your time. I appreciate you giving me an insight into what we can expect from you in Halloween Kills.

Tristian: Yeah. Thank you.

Check out Halloween Kills this weekend in theaters and exclusively streaming on Peacock.