The Strangers: Chapter 2 Fantastic Fest Review

It’s finally time to return to The Strangers universe, with Chapter 2 now unleashed on the world. I had the chance to speak with the producer of this new trilogy last year, which gave me an early glimpse into what this next installment had in store. While I didn’t love Chapter 1, wishing it delivered more intensity—I’m happy to report that Chapter 2 ups the ante with more action, suspense, and chills. The Strangers: Chapter 2 elevates the tension in what essentially plays out as a full-length cat-and-mouse thriller. If you’re a fan of prolonged chase sequences and nail-biting near escapes, this one’s tailor-made for you. However, if you're hoping for deeper plot development or meaningful storytelling, you might find it lacking. Still, as a piece of mindless popcorn entertainment, it hit the mark for me and sometimes, that’s all you need. A fun slasher that has a ton more to offer. The strangers are back and they are going full speed ahead in this one.

In today’s horror landscape, scares alone aren’t enough. We’ve come to expect hard-hitting stories alongside the thrills when it comes to horror movies. When a film lacks substance, it’s easy to feel disconnected. That said, The Strangers: Chapter 2 does succeed as pure entertainment. It’s bolder, more intense, and undeniably scarier than its predecessor. Some of the chase sequences are genuinely gripping, and I found myself grinning as the film finally delivered what I had hoped for in Chapter 1. However, when it comes to character development, things fall flat. Our protagonist spends most of the runtime simply fleeing from one near-death scenario to the next, with little emotional depth or growth. The film also makes the bold choice to offer more backstory on the Strangers themselves, a move that ultimately works against it. The terror of this franchise has always come from the randomness and mystery of its villains. By giving them identities and motives, the film chips away at the very element that made The Strangers so chilling in the first place. Less is more when it comes to the thrill of this franchise. We didn't need this backstory, or asked for it. We just want intensity and scares. That's where this movie really gained it's stride.

Madelaine Petsch carries the weight of The Strangers: Chapter 2 almost entirely on her shoulders, and to her credit, she does a solid job. Her performance is a noticeable step up from Chapter 1. It’s like night and day difference between the two movies. This time around, she’s given more to work with and takes full advantage of the opportunity to show her range as an actress. Unfortunately, while her performance shines, her character doesn’t get the development or resolution she deserves. She spends the entire film running from one threat to the next, with little emotional arc or growth. Along the way, she encounters a string of bizarre side characters who exist solely to be suspicious, without any real purpose. The writing leans too hard into misdirection, making every new face seem like a potential villain, which ends up dulling the tension rather than building it. By the time these characters meet their inevitable fates, there’s no emotional impact, they’re just there to serve the kill count. Yes, some of the death scenes are creatively executed, but without meaningful stakes or attachment, they fall flat. It just felt like a empty shell when it came to anyone who came on screen and that felt hard as a viewer to connect with.

Overall, The Strangers: Chapter 2 is, in my opinion, a major improvement over the first. It delivers fun, fast-paced chase sequences and puts the action front and center. As a piece of mindless entertainment, it works, but it’s essentially a 90-minute thrill ride. If that’s what you’re looking for, this sequel delivers. If you’re expecting layered storytelling or complex character arcs, you won’t find much of that here. One of my biggest hopes going forward is that the filmmakers pull back on giving the Strangers a backstory. The mystery of their identities is what made them so terrifying in the first place. With Chapter 3 set to conclude the trilogy, it’s still unclear what direction they’re heading, but I’m intrigued to see how it all wraps up. At the end of the day, this movie is still a fun ride, as long as you know what to expect going in.

Rating: 60/100