Review: The Houses October Built 2

(imdb.com)

In a year toppling the expectations of horror sequels, prequels and feature length reboots, 2017 has found fresh plots in previously used goods. Movies like Annabelle: Creation and IT have enticed new fans with spectacular graphics and acting, revitalizing Hollywood's love of hand-me-downs. Following this growing trend is the relatively surprising release of The Houses October Built 2.


When The Houses October Built was released in 2014, it became an under-the-radar hit. The found-footage film followed a group of friends searching for the best haunted attraction in America. As they traveled around the country, they became involved in a haunt created by a mysterious group, Blue Skeleton. In the end, the group is seemly buried alive and murdered. The newly released sequel, directly follows the events of the first, explaining just how the friends escaped. And, per most horror movies, it seems these buddies never learned their lesson, as the set back out - this time as marketing promoters for assorted haunts around the country. But, when strange things start to happen, it seems these characters haven't parted ways with Blue Skeleton at all.


The sequel reunites the cast of the original film, including Brandy Schaefer, Zack Andrews, Bobby Roe, Mikey Roe and Jeff Larson. Each essentially plays extensions of themselves, balancing on grounded performances and keeping their names. This helps the film continue the realism created in the first and helps maintain the character's likability, despite their less than intelligent decision to continue searching for haunts. Each character stay's true to their original nature; Zack is particularly thick-skulled and pressing and Brandy and Jeff continue playing smarter, while Mikey provides some comic relief.


The Houses October Built 2 is structured nearly identically to the first. Scenes within haunted houses provide padded jump scares and build the movies mythology, while providing content to avoid boredom and by the movie's end you will be completely enveloped in the characters' world. But, the movie's greatest issue also stems from this rehash. While interesting and entertaining, The Houses October Built 2 isn't scary. Unlike the first which is arguably one of the scarier recent horror movies, this sequel ditches the found-footage, intimate scares and atmosphere of the first for glossy drone footage, intense musical scoring and drama that is more adventurous than horrifying.


Overall, The Houses October Built 2 feels more expensive than the first, much to its detriment. This cast and crew know the love of the first and its successes, and try to recreate its magic, faltering numerous times. It's got enough working for it to command interest, but by its close, the race bubbles down without much intensity. It's an accomplished, but not photo, finish. 6 out 10.