Madelaine Petsch Confronts Her Deepest Fears in 'The Strangers: Chapter 2'

Madelaine Petsch, the star of the new horror flick The Strangers: Chapter 2, recently shared her spine-chilling personal connection to the original film. And while critics are divided on the latest installment, its box office performance is putting up a surprising fight!

TL;DR: Quick Scares and Box Office Bites

• Madelaine Petsch, who plays Maya in the new trilogy, was genuinely terrified by the 2008 original The Strangers when she was a teenager.
• The Strangers: Chapter 2, despite getting some tough reviews, has already earned more than its modest budget at the domestic box office.
• This sequel tries to dive into the masked killers' backstories, a move that critics found unnecessary and detrimental to the franchise's core appeal.

Madelaine Petsch's Scary Introduction to The Strangers Universe

Before she was facing off against the iconic masked killers on screen, Madelaine Petsch was just like many of us: a terrified viewer at home. The Riverdale alum, now 31, vividly remembers her first encounter with Bryan Bertino’s 2008 home invasion thriller when she was about 15 years old. And let’s just say, it left an impression.

Petsch, who now stars as Maya in The Strangers: Chapter 2, recounted her experience to People, saying her brother thought it would be funny to suggest she watch the movie while home alone. We've all been there, right? That moment when you’re just starting to get a taste of independence, and suddenly a horror movie makes you question every shadow.

What made the original The Strangers so uniquely unsettling for Petsch, and for many fans, wasn't supernatural monsters or otherworldly threats. It was the chilling reality of human evil.

"I’ve seen so many horror films that feel supernatural or otherworldly, so you can’t really liken them to your own life. But with The Strangers, they’re just people with masks on who want to kill, and I think that’s what makes it so terrifying."

– Madelaine Petsch (via People)

That feeling of vulnerability, of being in your own home with giant glass windows that suddenly feel like gaping holes, is something Petsch clearly connected with. It's that raw, grounded fear that the original movie excelled at, and it's a big part of why it's considered a foundational entry in the home invasion horror subgenre.

Diving Back into the Horror: Maya's Story in Chapter 2's Intense Setting

Fast forward to today, and Petsch is no stranger (pun intended!) to the horror genre, having starred in films like Polaroid, The Hive, and Sightless, not to mention the many creepy moments in Riverdale. But taking on The Strangers: Chapter 2 brought her face-to-face with that very specific, human-driven terror she remembered from her teenage years.

In this second installment of the new trilogy, Petsch’s character, Maya, is once again thrown into a desperate fight for survival. The film picks up immediately after the events of 2024's The Strangers: Chapter 1, where Maya narrowly escaped a brutal attack that left her fiancé dead. Now, she finds herself stranded in a small town, with the relentless masked killers—Scarecrow, Doll-face, and Pin-Up Girl—still hot on her trail.

The entire trilogy, directed by Renny Harlin, was famously filmed back-to-back, which is a pretty bold move in Hollywood. This approach aimed to create a cohesive, extended narrative, but as we’ll see, it also came with its own set of challenges.

Box Office Battles and Surprising Financial Wins Amidst Critical Scrutiny

When it comes to the box office, The Strangers: Chapter 2 has shown some unexpected resilience. Despite initial concerns and some lower tracking projections, the film has managed to hold its own, especially given its modest budget.

Produced by Lionsgate, the horror flick was made on a budget of about $8.5 million. As of recent reports, it has grossed approximately $10.6 million domestically and an additional $862,000 internationally, bringing its worldwide total to around $11.5 million. While one report from ScreenRant mentioned an earlier domestic figure of $5.5 million, the more comprehensive data indicates its continued performance. This means it’s already surpassed its production costs, putting it closer to its estimated profit line of $21 million.

What’s even more impressive is that The Strangers: Chapter 2 has managed to outperform other, higher-profile films released around the same time. For instance, it beat the domestic box office tally of A Big Bold Beautiful Journey ($6.5 million), a romantic drama starring big names like Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell. For a low-budget horror film to out-gross a movie with such star power is a definite win, showing that audiences are still turning out for a good scare.

This steady performance suggests that the film might just recover its entire budget without leaning too heavily on international markets. So, while critics might not be raving, the financial numbers tell a different story of a quiet success.

Critical Takes: Why 'Chapter 2' Is Dividing Audiences and Critics Alike

Now, let's talk about the critical reception. This is where things get a bit... messy. While The Strangers: Chapter 2 is doing okay at the box office, it hasn't exactly won over critics.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film’s Tomatometer score sits at a dismal 16% (though some early reports put it at 25%). This is even lower than its predecessor, Chapter 1 (21%), and significantly below the original 2008 film (50%). Critics largely panned Chapter 2 for essentially being "filler content" and "accomplishing nothing" during its approximately 96-98 minute runtime. Many reviews describe it as little more than one long chase scene, with a script that struggles to justify its existence as a standalone film.

One of the biggest criticisms leveled against Chapter 2 is its attempt to delve into the motivations of the masked killers. The original The Strangers gained its power from the unsettling anonymity and lack of motive for its antagonists—they killed "because you were home." This simplistic yet terrifying premise left audiences with a deeply disturbing sense of random, senseless violence. However, Chapter 2 introduces flashbacks and tries to "flesh out" these killers, a move that critics argue strips them of their mystery and intrigue, making them less terrifying.

Adding to the odd choices, one critic even pointed out an "unnecessary flashback sequence in particular that explains why a name is used by one of the masked menaces when knocking on doors." And let's not forget the inexplicable showdown with a bear, which one reviewer wryly noted "belongs in 2015’s The Revenant." These elements suggest a struggle to fill the runtime without adding meaningful plot or deepening the horror.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Madelaine Petsch’s performance as Maya has been a consistent highlight, with reviewers calling it "incredibly convincing and full of emotion" and "way better than expected." Even the masked killers, Scarecrow, Doll-face, and Pin-Up Girl, received some praise for being "engaging antagonists," particularly Scarecrow, who reportedly carries much of the film’s dwindling tension.

Audience Views: A Perplexing Disconnect from Critical Consensus

Interestingly, while the critics were busy sharpening their knives, audience members seem to have a slightly different take. On Rotten Tomatoes, The Strangers: Chapter 2 boasts a Popcornmeter score of 55% from verified audience members. This is not only higher than its critic score but also, quite surprisingly, higher than the audience scores for The Strangers (48%) and Chapter 1 (45%).

This "perplexing Rotten Tomatoes record," as ScreenRant put it, could be an "illusion of circumstance." The original film has nearly two decades of reviews and over 250,000 ratings, meaning a broad spectrum of viewers have weighed in. Chapter 2, being newer, likely has ratings from a smaller, more dedicated group of fans who were already interested enough to see it after Chapter 1. Still, it highlights a common disconnect where mainstream appeal doesn't always align with critical acclaim.

Madelaine Petsch on Her Performance and Handling the Hype

For Madelaine Petsch, navigating the world of reviews—good or bad—is all part of the job. She’s pretty chill about it, telling People that while you can't totally avoid them on social media, what truly matters is her own satisfaction with her work.

Petsch stated, "At the end of the day, what’s most important is that I’m proud of my performance. That’s literally the only thing I can control." This mature perspective allows her to focus on her craft, rather than getting bogged down by external opinions. She even believes that "the best films are polarizing," acknowledging that art is subjective and what one person loves, another might not. It’s a healthy way to approach a project that’s bound to spark strong reactions, especially within a beloved horror franchise.

Her dedication clearly shines through in Chapter 2, where her performance is noted as a standout amidst the film's other shortcomings. She not only stars but also produced the film, showing a deeper involvement in bringing Maya's terrifying journey to life.

What's Next for The Strangers Trilogy? The Road to Chapter 3

With The Strangers: Chapter 2 leaving audiences (and critics) on a cliffhanger, everyone is now looking to the third and final installment. The Strangers: Chapter 3 is expected out next year (likely still in 2025, given the back-to-back filming schedule), and there's a lot riding on it.

The biggest question is whether Chapter 3 can provide some much-needed redemption for the franchise. The trailers for the next chapter, teased at the end of Chapter 2, hint at "mildly more interesting plot developments." But after two installments that critics felt were either a "cheap reboot" or "filler," many are wondering if there will be enough audience members left to stick it out.

Some critics have suggested that the entire trilogy could have been condensed into a single, more impactful film, differentiating it better from the 2008 original. If Chapter 3 follows the same pattern of stripping away the mystery of the Strangers or delivering more drawn-out chase scenes, it might struggle to resonate. Only time will tell if Renny Harlin and the team can deliver a killer climax or if, as some reviewers bluntly put it, it might be best to "tuck it under the rug."

Frequently Asked Questions About The Strangers: Chapter 2 When did The Strangers: Chapter 2 officially come out? The film officially opened on September 26, 2025, and is currently playing in theaters. Who stars in The Strangers: Chapter 2? Madelaine Petsch leads the cast as Maya. Richard Brake also stars as Sheriff Rotter, alongside the masked killers: Scarecrow, Doll-face, and Pin-Up Girl. What is The Strangers: Chapter 2 about? It's a direct sequel to The Strangers: Chapter 1, following Maya, a lone survivor, as she's once again hunted by the three masked killers after being left stranded in a small town. The film largely focuses on her fight for survival against their relentless pursuit. What's the critical reception for The Strangers: Chapter 2? Critics have given the film largely negative reviews, with a low Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score, often criticizing it as "filler" and for demystifying the killers' motives. However, Madelaine Petsch's performance has been widely praised, and the film has a surprisingly higher audience score on Rotten Tomatoes compared to other entries in the franchise. Sources

• Just Jared
• Koimoi
• SCREAM Magazine
• ScreenRant
• The Ramapo News
• People
• Reach Publishing Services