Great production (score, VFX, props and sets) elevate a thin, expository sort of screenplay. Good to see most roles cast with unknown and character actors, making Hawke stand out not just as the killer but as the "big name actor". The icy locations are spooky and gorgeous. The VHS sequences, clearly inspired by 2022's Skinamarink, are very cool and well shot. Some of the horror sequences cross from spooky into goofy (notably Madeleine McGraw's Gwen being spun into a blood tornado in a nightmarish battle with Hawke's The Grabber). This sequel shies away from the sexual component of The Grabber's kills more than the original, though it doesn't spend any of the runtime exploring The Grabber's motivations. It's a refreshing take: to not care about why the killer kills. It is also incredibly silly, turning this masked killer into Freddie Krueger... 2! Still, it's a wonderful return to form for the slasher genre. The teens are horny and stupid. The killer is immortal. The kills are unique. A fun time.
