Rating: 3/5
Synopsis:
The second chapter in the new “Strangers” trilogy picks up right where the previous film left off. Maya is the only survivor, now recovering in the hospital from the previous night. But she quickly realizes that her peace is short-lived. The masked tyrants come back to finish what they started, willing to hurt anyone who stands in their way. Maya learns more about these masked vigilantes along the way, unearthing the dark secrets that surround them.
Positives:
A main complaint of “Chapter 1” is that it felt too similar to the original film. It played the story pretty safe while setting up for a unique spin on these characters. “Chapter 2” is an interesting continuation of the events from the first film, largely acting as a bridge between an explosive third entry to come. The plot is one big chase sequence, where Maya constantly finds herself in situations that put her in the killer’s path. The film begins with a hospital chase scene, quickly transitioning to the woods as Maya’s injuries persist. Each chase features some close calls that ratchet up the tension nicely.
The film makes a choice to abstain from dialogue for most of the runtime, leaning into the hunt that Maya faces from The Strangers. Some twists and turns keep the story interesting, mostly playing with the intrigue of figuring out more about these masked killers. A surprising element from both chapters is the way the films are shot. The imagery and lighting are sharp, featuring some nice cinematography and effective editing. The cleaner look to these films is a departure from the gritty aesthetic of the original. Madeline Petsch gives a committed performance here, constantly having to display the discomfort she’s in. She experiences a lot of pain but also has to be scared throughout the film.
Negatives:
Unfortunately, I don’t think “Chapter 2” does enough to warrant being a middle chapter in this franchise. It’s the definition of a filler film, adding little to the promised lore expansion. It is here to provide more chase sequences and increase the body count. We get small teases about the childhood of the killers while still lacking the knowledge of who they are. There are plenty of teases about the identity of these masked foes but the story continues to keep their faces hidden. It seems as though the final film in the trilogy will have a bold payoff that may make up for the entries that came before it. The film isn’t bad, it just lacks a strong purpose. There are plenty of plot conveniences that keep Maya going in the story, whether it be the killers letting her fight back too much or leaning into the psychotic nature of enjoying their prey for too long. Much like the first, the side characters all behave so strangely that it’s hard to take them seriously as human beings. But a random sequence with an animal in the middle of the film felt especially out of place. There are also some wonky scenes of dialogue that makes some of the interactions with the townsfolk a bit corny.
Conclusion:
“Chapter 2” is a halfway enjoyable middle entity to this new “Strangers” trilogy. It doesn’t do much to move the story along but it provides some tense sequences that are likely to make fans of the series happy. It feels a bit unfocused and pads out the runtime with some long chase sequences that feel unimportant to expanding the lore. Yes, it’s enjoyable to see the masked killers in their element…but this entry feels a bit directionless. I sure hope the third entry is worth it because another meandering sequel could spell bad news for the franchise. This isn’t a must see in theaters for casual fans but I’m sure those who are invested in this journey will want to check it out in theaters.
