Overview

• Following its Fantastic Fest premiere, the sequel continues directly from Chapter 1 and opens in theaters on September 26.
• Reviewers note a pivot from home-invasion slasher to a stripped-down survival thriller focused on extended pursuits and paranoia.
• Multiple outlets criticize new glimpses into the masked killers’ pasts, arguing the added lore undercuts the series’ hallmark of random violence.
• Petsch’s committed performance and polished cinematography earn praise, while repetitive staging, logic gaps, and a much-maligned CGI animal attack draw fire.
• Director Renny Harlin confirms Chapters 2 and 3 received post–Chapter 1 “enhancement shoots,” and this entry largely sets the table for the concluding installment expected in 2026.