Sequels are often the kiss of death when it comes to Hollywood films. Outside of perhaps The Godfather and a little space fantasy known as Star Wars, follow-ups to major films often manage to be letdowns for most fans.
This is particularly the case for the horror genre, which thrives on ingenuity and shock value for much of its intrigue. And indeed, the graveyards of this genre are lined with countless flops that just couldn't live up to their predecessor. Often it's the case that a filmmaker will try to get a bit too ambitious, only to see their experiment backfire.
Still, taking a more inventive or unconventional approach with a horror sequel can reap rewards if executed cleverly enough. Such an ambitious sequel can put a welcomed twist on an old idea, or steer the narrative in an interesting new direction.
This list will look at 5 horror sequels that succeeded in changing things up, along with 5 that proved a bit too ambitious or different for their own good.
10 Great: Scream 2 (1997)
Following the success of the breakout hit from Wes Craven, it seemed this sequel would largely be a retreading - as is often the case in the slasher genre. And this is partly the case, as Scream 2 follows a similar trajectory, and sees the return of various (surviving) characters.
Yet, the film stands out by being even more of a self-aware spoof than its predecessor - with an amusing homage-style ending to boot.
This time, Craven gives a nod to both classic slashers and his own franchise, with a larger supply of cheeky in-jokes and fourth-wall-breaking. It's even more unapologetically cheesy and derivative than the first film - but this is ironically what Scream does best.
9 Didn't Work: Friday The 13th Part III (1982)
Despite being the fourth highest-grossing film in the series, the third entry of this gore-laden romp tends to be viewed as the "black sheep" of the Friday the 13th family. Those watching this stab-fest generally know what they're getting - an abundance of violence and in-your-face scares by way of the mad killer Jason.
But this sequel from '82, which was meant to dazzle audiences with the 3-D gimmick, has ironically aged the most poorly. Not only do blatant effects look distracting and dated, but critics have also pointed to a particularly shallow plot and an excess of gore - even for franchise standards.
8 Great: Saw II (2005)
It's not easy to be inventive or interesting when it comes to slasher flicks. And while this long running franchise may have worn out its welcome, its first few entries are generally regarded as fun, boundary-pushing romps.
This is especially the case in 2005's Saw II, which delves into the Jigsaw Killer's backstory and draws more from the "whodunnit" style of crime and suspense films.
At the same time, the movie still "cuts" to the chase when it comes to gore-laden moments and intense escape scenes the original was known for. A slew of new characters and circumstances - as well as crazier death traps - give this sequel an authentic feel despite some overlap to the horror hit a year prior.
7 Didn't Work: Creep 2 (2017)
No-doubt taking his cue from his first unique found-footage thriller, filmmaker Patrick Brice again tried to push boundaries with this strange sequel. Both Creep films hone in on the unsettlingly odd, nefarious Josef (Mark Duplass), who now refers to himself as Aaron - the man he offed in the last movie.
Yet, this one pivots to a far more lighthearted, borderline wacky tone, verging more into "mockumentary" territory than a found-footage thriller. There are a few tense moments here or there, as we follow documentarian Sara. But for many fans of the original, this sillier vibe and lack of scares tend to cheapen the experience.
6 Great: Bride Of Frankenstein (1935)
It's rare for lightning to strike twice in a row when it comes to iconic films, but this is certainly the case with James Whale's spooky horror classic. And for many, this 1935 follow-up is viewed as a step up from the initial hit four years earlier - even regarded as one of the best sequels ever.
The film ups the ante in terms of set decoration, narrative, and production value. Just as interestingly, it integrates Frankenstein author Mary Shelley herself and expands on her source material. In fact, her likeness even makes an appearance in the film, played by the same actress taking on the role of the Bride, Elsa Lanchester.
The film invokes more drama, emotion, and science fiction elements along with gothic horror to round out this memorable creation.
5 Didn't Work: Book Of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000)
To his credit, filmmaker Joe Berlinger ventures about as far as possible from a simple retreading of the breakout horror hit, The Blair Witch Project. Yet, this lesser-known sequel might have just been a bit too different in terms of its plot and style.
And really, this feels more like a fan-made spinoff rather than a true sequel, given the departure from the found-footage formant and its odd "meta" nature.
The film features a band of mostly unlikable fans who embark on a Blair Witch tour, only to find they've been inexplicably cursed themselves. The rest of the film plays out as a series of bizarre, nonsensical events as it's clear the Witch's dark influence has affected them.
4 Great: Dawn Of The Dead (1978)
Renowned filmmaker George A. Romero had his work cut out for him when he set out to match his groundbreaking indie classic, Night of the Living Dead. Not only does he rise to this challenge, but the second film of this rich series arguably tops its more humble predecessor.
The film features an entirely new premise, cast, as well as amped-up production value and grandiosity. As a result, Dawn of the Dead feels distinct and shines as its own entity, rather than a mere continuation of this zombie franchise. The experience departs from the slower, subdued nature of its predecessor, favoring a larger scope in addition to more thrills and chills.
3 Didn't Work: Bride Of Chucky (1998)
Attempts to veer a horror series in a sillier direction tends to yield mixed results, to say the least. And to its credit, this fourth entry in the Child's Play franchise at least feels authentic.
But its more cartoony vibe and depraved sense of humor gives it a campiness that makes the vastly-different originals seem tame. The hijinxs that the killer doll and his sadistic new wife get into shift between cringy, pointless, and over-the-top.
Fans and critics alike have knocked this romp for its excess of self-parodying goofiness and its lack of any real scares, favoring shock value over creepiness. Some may enjoy the "black comedy" angle this sequel takes, though it feels far removed from the original trio.
2 Great: Aliens (1986)
Some of the best thrillers are those that incorporate other genres in some way. Ridley Scott's iconic film Alien thrived on its knack for invoking both fear as well as one's imagination - thanks to its masterful blend of sci-fi and horror.
Thankfully, this sequel lived up to the hype built up from the 7-year wait. Rather than stress tension-building darkness and jump scares, this follow-up drops the hero Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) into an action-laced ride with gun-wielding marines. It's a major departure from Alien, but one that works in its own way with its heart-pounding thrills.
1 Didn't Work: Brahms: The Boy II (2020)
When it comes to experimental sequels, there's the notion of trying something new - and then there's full-on retroactive continuity, which often taints the prior film. For most viewers, this recent sequel to the inventive The Boy succumbs to the latter.
In fact, the clever, shocking twist that made the '16 original interesting is greatly diminished with this plot, which falls back to the tired "possessed doll" concept. For this thriller, it's a classic case of fixing what ain't broken...
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