A film that distinctly feels like a throwback 70/80’s goretacular slasher-fest, but with the modern indie sensibilities, so in that sense it works. Now, that said, this isn’t a film for me and while I almost never buy into the “making theater goers vomit, pass out and walk out” because that is all over-hyped papers/clicks fodder, this film is a torturous grossout to be true. It revels in the suffering and over-the-top bleeding misery, but it didn’t disturb me. Maybe that says more about me and my desensitization, but if this is your driving reason, you might be underwhelmed.
I didn’t love or hate its predecessor, functioning as a distinctly nasty modern slasher with an evocative and captivating villain. This one I actually think is a better film, dabbling almost non-sensically into lore and bullying the viewer with further explorations of murderous shennanigans, sometimes with aplomb & sometimes with serratedly cruel intentions. This sequel is almost a little more standard in its horror franchise approach, starring a reserved high school final girl with a possible connection to the killer, while surrounded by her doomed family & friends. The hurtful possibilities and hint of mythology tie well together in this corded trope expanding malevolent mayhem movie that doesn’t overstay its welcome or do too much.
It gets surreal and jokingly ridiculous in the right and creepiest ways. This one certainly solidifies Art the Clown in the pantheon of horror villains. A force of evil nature that deserves as much intentioned backstory exploration as the shark from Jaws - he is a creepy crazy killer who may be beyond the scope of reason or understanding. Now, I can see how some might find this whole thing, his shtick and the horrendous nature of his actions, to be too much, especially when they are displayed with such vigor and occasional stirring skill. It doen’t pull punches, but much of it feels semi-realistic drama-wise and has the whiff of greater saga about it that lends it all more weight. But if you are just watching it for some new, interesting, or affecting kills, you won’t be disappointed.
