The Strangers Chapter 2 explores the backstory of the strangers while also giving Madelaine Petsch time to shine as a final girl.
It is important to know that The Strangers Chapter 2 is the middle of a story before going into it. We have already seen Chapter 1, and Chapter 3 will be releasing at a later date. This makes it a little bit difficult to review, as I like to have seen the entire story before casting judgement.
Having never seen the original, The Strangers Chapter 1 was my introduction to these characters, and I rather enjoyed it. I like the anonymity of the killers. The fact that they are torturing and killing people just because they feel like it is absolutely terrifying and makes the stakes high because they truly do not care about other lives.
The Strangers Chapter 2 continues the story of Madelaine Petsch’s character, Maya, who just barely survived her recent attack. Of course, the coast is not clear, and she must continue to try to escape the strangers. At the same time, we are running around and hiding with her, we are learning more and more about the strangers through flashbacks.
Honestly, I do not think we need a backstory of the strangers, but I also do not think it takes away from the effectiveness of them like other fans do. I am perfectly fine getting to know them. Plus, the way that The Strangers Chapter 2 handles this is interesting. We might start to learn about their identities, but it still seems as if their attacks have no rhyme or reason behind them. They are just psychopaths. It is as simple as that.
This second installment is just about ninety minutes long, and while it does contain lots of running and high-octane moments, it does slow down every so often. The strangers don’t always make the smartest decisions while they are chasing Maya around. But if they were able to catch her right away, there would not be a movie for any of us to watch.
One of the things I really enjoyed about The Strangers Chapter 2 was Petsch’s performance. She has proven herself as the perfect choice for a final girl time and time again. Throughout this film, viewers are right there with there. Knowing that there is another film, and that she is the star of it once again, it never feels as if she is in true danger. That is probably one of the biggest downfalls of Chapter 2. Although, I will admit that the trailer at the end teasing Chapter 3 has me very excited to see how things wrap up.
Even though this is technically its own movie, it really is just a part of the story. Because of that I have a hard time critiquing it. I need to know how the story ends before I can decide how I feel about it one way or another. That said, it really does simply feel like a way to connect the two. There are a few choices that were made story wise that made me think they were put there just to help the audience connect the dots between what is happening in the present and the backstory that keeps being flashed to.
When these moments happen, the movie veers off path and just comes off as strange and like we somehow left the story behind. Without spoilers, I am referring to the scene with the boars. Once again, I understand the why of it all, but I don’t feel it to be necessary.
All of this to say, I really enjoy watching Madelaine Petsch on screen. She is very talented and that makes It easy to root for her character. Of course, I knew that she had to survive this The Strangers Chapter 2, that much was obvious because we know she filmed Chapter 3, but she still gives it her all.
The Strangers Chapter 2 did offer up some surprises before ending on a cliffhanger that genuinely has me excited for the final chapter.
About The Stangers Chapter 2
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.
The Strangers Chapter 2 played at Fantastic Fest 2025.
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The Strangers Chapter 2 explores the backstory of the strangers while also giving Madelaine Petsch time to shine as a final girl.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.