Film Review: The Strangers: Chapter 2
IN THEATERS SEPTEMBER 26, 2025
THE STRANGERS – CHAPTER 2 is directed by Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger, Exorcist: The Beginning) and written by Alan R. Cohen (“The Freak Brothers,” Due Date) and Alan Freedland (“King of the Hill,” Due Date). The film stars Madelaine Petsch (“Riverdale,” Polaroid), Gabriel Basso (“The Night Agent,” Super 8) and Ema Horvath (What Lies Below, “Don’t Look Deeper”).
SYNOPSIS: The Strangers are back – more brutal and relentless than ever. When they learn that one of their victims, Maya (Madelaine Petsch), is still alive, they return to finish what they’ve started. With nowhere to run and no one to trust, Maya must survive another horrific chapter of terror as The Strangers – driven by a senseless, unceasing purpose – pursue her, more than willing to kill anyone who stands in their way.
Review:
The statistics in the beginning of the film are scary. Real life is scarier than any horror film you could ever make. Renny Harlin (Driven, The Resident, Blast from the Past, The Long Kiss Goodnight) directed The Strangers Chapter 2 along with a list of blockbuster films. Alan R. Cohen and Alan Freedland wrote the film.
I will try to go through this review without spoilers. I will say Maya (Madalaine Petsch) returns, and we have the beyond awesome, Richard Brake portraying Sheriff Rotter. I went to see The Strangers Chapter 1 in theaters with one of my amazing friends, and we spent time plotting what our escape would be. One of my favorite films, is The Strangers: Prey at Night. I think Damian Maffei solidified what scaring the ever-living shit out of people while wearing the mask was.
I will say, I’m already annoyed at the typical police questioning. They are hiding stuff, making her seem crazy but with a tad bit of empathy. The film also stars: Madelaine Petsch, Froy Gutierrez, Emma Horvath, JR Esposito, Florian Clare, Brooke Lena Johnson, Janis Ahern, Brian Law, Nola Wallace, Pablo Sandstorm, Jamie Taylor Ballesta, Pedro Leandro, and Sara Freedland.
I love the darkness, and the spooky vibe they gave the hospital. Hospitals are usually so loud, and busy even at night. It’s always funny in movies to see how they depict hospitals. Maya is quickly learning that her masked friends have not forgotten or she is dreaming?!
The Man in the Mask shows up. Maya is now wandering through the hospital. NOPE!!! RUN and GET OUT! Could she make anymore noise? Oh, man, not the morgue. We always somebody pops up.
Are there no phones? This is irritating. How convenient she gets picked up. This is odd. We meet Gregory (Gabriel Basso) and his super could be creepy friend. What a situation. WAS THAT A NOD? To The Strangers: Prey at Night? So exciting. Maya got out of one situation, and now she finds herself in another wild situation. She also opened her wound, and is bleeding badly.
Oh no, don’t go to the abandoned house. It’s as if Maya is going from bad to just completely worse. WELP!!! They work fast. That’s one thing about this group. You are tripping and this group is just killing everybody, and here you are… just getting into another vehicle with a killer. NOW, she has it. The look when the prey becomes the hunter. The look of you fucked around, and now you will find out. They did a good job. The cinematography, the story, the action scenes.
The Man in the Mask is sharing feelings. NOOOOOO!!! WHY… To Be Continued….