3 underrated horror sequels that deserve to be watched again

Horror is a genre dominated by sequels. If an original film achieves even modest success, a sequel will likely be made in an attempt to capitalize on it. Unfortunately, many sequels stink. for everyone children’s playthere is children’s play 2, you get the idea.

However, not all sequels are bad. In fact, they may complement and even improve upon the original. For some of horror’s biggest franchises, these three sequels helped expand their storytelling and stylistic possibilities. Underrated by critics and even some fans, halloween ii, a nightmare on elm street 4And The Exorcist II: Heretic (Yes, you read that last one right) There are horror sequels that deserve another look and deserve more attention and love from their respective fan bases.

Halloween II (1981)

halloween ii It unjustly received a lot of negativity when it was released, primarily for committing two unforgivable sins: it was not original. Halloween And it transformed Michael Myers from a random boogeyman into a killer with a motive straight out of a daytime soap opera (he’s out to get his long-lost sister). Time has been kind to the Rick Rosenthal-directed sequel, and even after 40 years and nearly a dozen new entries, it’s probably still the best sequel in the Halloween franchise.

what makes halloween ii So effective that it dares to continue the night of terror started in the first film, following scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis as she recovers after almost being killed. And it doesn’t get enough credit for expertly describing how the small town of Haddonfield slowly unravels as it tries to catch an untraceable killer. halloween ii Enhances the horror material, and while many critics sneered at it (both then and now), it’s actually quite effective. Whereas Halloween acts more as a thriller, halloween ii is fearlessly a slasher, and it still can’t be surpassed in how it combines shameless violence with genuinely creepy suspense.

halloween ii Streaming on Peacock.

The Exorcist II: Heretic (1977)

It is generally considered to be one of the worst films of all time, The Exorcist II: Heretic Not completely innocent of being a little bad. When compared to the original the Exorcist, still the best in the series, is a heady comedy, spending a lot of time focusing on a stone-faced Linda Blair under deep hypnosis. The plot doesn’t make much sense, and the male lead, Richard Burton, always looks hungry, and almost sneers at the poor dialogue he has to say throughout the film.

And yet, there’s a strange beauty in it Exorcist II, a strange energy that makes it completely original and different from any other film ever made. This is largely due to the director, John Boorman, and director of photography, William A. Fraker, who fill the screen with wild, sun-drenched images that make you believe in the divine. There’s a terror in the strange, dirty beauty of this film, and it’s worth a watch.

The Exorcist II: Heretic Streaming on Max.

A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 4: The Dream Master (1988)

Of all the Nightmare on Elm Street movies, Part 3: Dream Warriors While it is generally chosen as the best and most popular entry (with good reason) Part 2: Freddy’s Revenge It gets the lion’s share of critical reappraisal due to its barely-concealed bizarre subtext (which is interesting, but doesn’t redeem what has always been a weak horror sequel). my favorite freddy movie of all time Part 4: The Dream MasterBecause it’s at its best in showcasing what makes Nightmare on Elm Street horror movies work so well right off the bat: great female heroines (including Dream Master Alice in this movie), a supporting cast you actually care about. , off-the-wall humor (“Want to suck a face?”), and spectacular horror VFX.

part 4 The final installment also resorts to bringing back the survivors and shamelessly killing them off one by one, leaving the audience unable to guess what’s going to happen next. Plus, the kills in this movie are some of the best, with nerd Shelia being French kissed to death, horny Joey being killed in a nightmare in an actual wet dream, and jock Debbie being turned into a giant cockroach. Is given and crushed by Freddy. , it’s scary? not really but it Is A little bit neurotic, a little bit gross, and always inventive.

A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 4: The Dream Master Streaming on Max.