Overview

• The film world‑premiered at Fantastic Fest in Austin and opens in theaters Oct. 17 via Universal and Blumhouse.
• Early critics highlight darker, dream‑centric visuals using grainy Super 8/16 aesthetics with explicit 1980s slasher homages.
• Ethan Hawke returns as the Grabber, reimagined as a nightmarish, Freddy Krueger‑like presence invading dreams.
• Performances by Madeleine McGraw and Mason Thames draw strong praise, with Stephen King calling the sequel better than the original.
• Several reviews note uneven internal rules, overstuffed plotting, and pacing issues despite the expanded scope and set pieces.