Stree 2: A fun-filled horror sequel that almost manages to live up to the original

Comedy that leaves the theatre roaring with laughs and multiple storylines that connect to the fantasy world, Stree 2 felt like it was trying too hard.

Audiences always walk into the theatre for a sequel with a high expectations bar, especially if its original was a success. In most cases, these expectations aren't matched. Because, who are we kidding, rarely a sequel of a successful film has managed to live up to the buzz that the original film did. Though Dinesh Vijiyan’s Stree 2., a horror-comedy that has become an audience favourite for its ability to get giggles even in the face of horror managed to keep up with its original, but not quite as you would expect. But the film does deserve appreciation for being one of the most entertaining films of the year. 

The town of Chanderi, that was once haunted by a vengeful female ghost, now worships her while it faces a new phantom to overcome. This time, the roles are reversed as the town faces a haunting presence that is kidnapping women. Sarkata, a headless apparition, targets progressive women as an act of revenge for his own demise. Now, Vicky (Rajkummar Rao) went from being just the lady's tailor in the town to becoming the town's saviour is forced to join his friends, Shraddha Kapoor, Rudra (Pankaj Tripathi), Bittu (Aparshakti Khurrana), Jana (Abhishek Banerji) to confront this new threat and save Chanderi from impending doom.

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Dinesh has mastered the art of blending horror and comedy to draft his own universe of fright where a group of misfits manages to deal with the supernatural without losing their goofy charm. Keeping up with its streak, Stree 2 managed to live up to the audience’s expectations, with well-coordinated jump scares that define the Stree brand, ensuring that there is never a dull moment. The exceptional cast brought out their acting chops, killing it with their delivery. You can’t help but praise Rajkumar Rao's Vicky, whose biggest strength is ‘sachai and saralta’ or being able to stand toe to toe with the likes of Aparshakti and Pankaj with his humour. Aparshakti and Pankaj, though didn’t have anything exceptional to offer, managed to have their own moments between the overstimulated plot. But the one person who deserves his flowers is Abhishek Banarjee, who reprised his role for the third time and left his mark.

Imagine leaving the first instalment on a cliffhanger, that becomes one of the reasons people look forward to the sequel. The audience were eager to learn the reasons behind Shraddha's character keeping Stree's ponytail for herself. Unfortunately the sequel gave us the most unsatisfactory reveal and failed to live up to our expectations. The plot, in an attempt to keep up with its first installment feels overstimulated at times. With multiple characters and plotlines that will end up in the same universe, you notice the potholes along the way. For instance, there are moments when Pankaj's character's emotional depth appears inconsistent, such as his reaction to his love, Shama's abduction. Additionally, the film's attempt to address the serious issue of women's oppression amidst humor and other ongoing plotlines causes the impact of the message to be diluted.

With a King Arthur and the Sword reference, a sloppy fight with almost bad CGI, and multiple character introductions into the plot, the end feels like a stretch. As the credits roll, the audience is left yearning for the film to wrap up. Despite the predictable team-ups, the movie still manages to entertain, providing the perfect dose of humor for a stressful day.

Stree 2 is currently running in theatres.