The Strangers: Chapter 2 (2025)

The Strangers: Chapter 2 (2025) is directed by Renny Harlin, who also helmed The Strangers: Chapter 1 earlier in the year. Much like its predecessor, this sequel leans into style and shock value, but Harlin does a slightly better job balancing tension with atmosphere. Filmed back-to-back-to-back with the rest of the trilogy over 52 days in Slovakia, the production feels rushed but not without improvement.

Madelaine Petsch, known for Riverdale and Sightless, returns as the lead and noticeably carries the film. Her performance is sharper this time, showing more range and conviction despite the quick filming turnaround. She brings much-needed emotional weight that the script itself often lacks.

Ema Horvath, who appeared in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and What Lies Below, gets more focus here. While her character is central to the story, the writing doesn’t give her much depth beyond moving the plot along. Still, she holds her own against the chaos.

Richard Brake, and don't get him confused for Jackie Earle Haley, recognizable from Mandy and Game of Thrones, makes another appearance and feels like he may be set up as a red herring leading into Chapter 3. His presence adds menace, but his role is left deliberately vague.

Everyone else in the film is either a disposable suspect or killed off in mere seconds, highlighting the franchise’s slasher-style efficiency but also its lack of character investment. Overall, the film is an improvement over Chapter 1, though the bar was low to begin with. It provides a stronger sense of tension but still feels like a stepping stone to the finale. Result: C+

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