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The 2021 film adaptation of Joe Hill's story, son of the great Stephen King, ended, as expected, with the death of the main antagonist. But the film stunned audiences with its box office takings, and the creators decided that a sequel was in order. But how to bring back the main maniac played by Ethan Hawke? Let's turn to the classics of the genre and pay tribute to A Nightmare on Elm Street (a good remake of which has yet to happen). And the ugly maniac in a mask now rules the world of dreams. One of the scenes, where Gwen is trapped in the kitchen while the maniac tries to shove her into a burning oven, is a direct reference made with great respect for the original. The film is not shy about being violent and visually inventive. There is a moment with a blood-soaked phone booth and a rotating camera that reveals a field strewn with lost souls — these shots are truly impressive.

The sequel takes place several years later, and the main characters, Finney and Gwen, have grown up noticeably, as have the actors themselves. I liked both of the lead actors in the first part. And in the second part, I am delighted with them. Mason Thames now appears as “the boy who survived” — he is fierce, traumatized, and consumed by guilt and fear. In his own eyes, he is not a hero, but a tormented teenager who does not want unnecessary questions. But the directors decided to bring his sister to the forefront, whose psychic abilities in the form of nightmares now serve as a bridge between the secrets of the past and the present. Madeleine McGraw has grown up and become a beautiful swan. The young actress, who is only 16 years old, may be a contender for the title of the new queen of horror, although I hope she will be given the opportunity to reveal her potential in other types of roles.

However, in their attempts to expand the mythology of the film, the creators lose some of the uniqueness of the first film. The first part was horror, but horror with social and psychological undertones. The second part turns into a spectacular but ordinary horror thriller about the secrets of the past. Some slowness and excessive explanations in the middle of the film briefly slow down the pace, reminding us that the first film created tension through hopelessness and claustrophobia.

But I don't want to criticize the sequel. It's a completely different story with a different focus. If the first part was a survival story with a mystical undertone, the second is a full-fledged supernatural nightmare where evil has evolved and found new loopholes. I respect the creators for not copying the success of their predecessor, but going their own way — more insane, bloody, and frank in their love for the genre.
The result is a bold and exciting horror film that, while not deserving of the title of “best horror film of the year,” leaves behind a pleasant feeling that big studios are still capable of risky projects. For fans who miss the spirit of classic slasher films, this is definitely a must-see.