Alternatives to The Strangers: Chapter 2

I try to see every horror movie that is theatrically released in my hood but I’m afraid I’m going to have to skip THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2. I had planned to keep an open mind but how can I ignore the writing on the wall? I really didn’t like the previous effort and word on the street is that this stab is even worse than the first! I just can’t do it. Maybe I’ll watch it at home eventually but it doesn’t seem worthy of a $3 subway trip or the general discomfort of going outdoors. So here is a list of a few similarly themed horror movies I’d prefer to watch instead…

Let’s start with the worship worthy wonder that is THE STRANGERS: PREY AT NIGHT (2018). How do you make a sequel even more ferociously unforgettable than its predecessor? The formula is simple, add neon lights and eighties music! It’s not rocket science! Spooky as hell and way more re-watchable than the first, this fun and feral sequel can stand strongly on its own. This baby provides a perfect template springboard for what could have been a solid trilogy. Tragically, the perfect baton pass set-up was ignored in favor of backtracking dilution.

2014’s THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN is a meta-happy relaunch done right (full review HERE). The atmosphere is impeccable, it enhances rather than repeats the OG’s mythology and it even features horror legend Veronica Cartwright!

If it’s anonymous lunatics you’re looking for, you can’t beat the horrific stylings of 2001’s JOYRIDE and its intimidating antagonist “Rusty Nail”. I’ll even vouch for its two hyper violent, highly entertaining WRONG TURN-esque straight to video sequels JOYRIDE 2: DEAD AHEAD and JOYRIDE 3.

Not sure why few ever speaks of IF I DIE BEFORE I WAKE from 1998 because to me, it’s the scariest home invasion flick I can think of. Muse Watson of I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER fame loses the Gordon’s fisherman look and is all the scarier for it in this traumatizing nightmare scenario flick.

If its creepy masks you’re looking for, can I interest you in OUT OF THE DARK (’88)’s Bobo the clown? I realize killer clowns are a dime a dozen these days but this particular lunatic is preoccupied with terrorizing phone sex workers who work for Karen Black! Perfect late night cable eighties sleaze that can even boast featuring the last role of everybody’s favorite harbinger of good taste, Divine!

I’ve gleaned from the trailer that the new STRANGERS will at least partially take place in a hospital, a place where many other horror movie aftermath sequels occur. Consider the legendary warning against tampered treats and bad wigs known as HALLOWEEN II ('81) or Rob Zombie’s misunderstood deep dive into PTSD of the same name! May I also suggest the creepy Canadian stalk-athon VISITING HOURS (’82) and my personal favorite, the chilly & thrill-y Norwegian horror continuation COLD PREY II (2008) which is nearly every bit as good as its dynamic parent film.

If it’s resourceful gals stalked in a limited setting you’re in the mood for there’s always the campus Christmas calamity KRISTY (2009), the holiday parking lot suspenser P2 (2007), the Halloween (’78) precursor FRIGHT (’71) featuring a young Susan George (full review HERE) and the made for TV pulse pounder THE VICTIM starring Elizabeth Montgomery. Director Mike Flanagan delivers HUSH (2016), a slightly aggravating but always nail-biting modernized ode to the classic WAIT UNTIL DARK (’67).

Finally, I would be remiss to not throw some respect toward THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 2 director Renny Harlan. Although he helms the ill conceived assumed fiasco, I can’t begrudge the guy a paycheck and I have to admit he has delivered worthwhile entertainment in the past. He’s given us fine action flicks with DIE HARD 2 (’90) and CLIFFHANGER (’93) , a respectable ELM STREET sequel with PART 4: THE DREAM MASTER (’88), an awesome shark flick in DEEP BLUE SEA (’99), the snowy found footage jaunt DEVIL’S PASS (2013) and perhaps his greatest achievement, the excellent LONG KISS GOODNIGHT (’96) ! He’s dipped in the hack pool a few times (see pot boiler yawn machine EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING (2004) ) but hey, every creative person knows that not every endeavor taken is going to work out exactly as planned. So, no hard feelings sir and if it helps, I think legendary box-office bomb CUTTHROAT ISLAND (’95) is actually sorely underrated.