Nightstream: ‘May the Devil Take You Too’ is Flawed, but Supersedes the Original

‘May the Devil Take You Too’ accomplishes something very few sequels do; it’s better than the first film. Rarer still, it manages to do so while it’s creation was clearly financially motivated due to the original’s success on Netflix. However, in fixing the flaws of the original film, Devil Too creates plenty of its own. 

Directed by Timo Tjahjanto, maybe best known for his breathtaking cult themed segment in ‘VHS 2’, the film follows Alfie and Nara, survivors of the first film, as they are kidnapped by a group of foster siblings who are drawn back to the orphanage they grew up in together. Just like the first time, this family is being haunted by the sins of their father, who was led into temptation by a very familiar witch.

Devil Too succeeds in leaving the realm of an ‘Evil Dead’ remake that the first film never managed to and becomes its own exciting possession film. As the demon claims each soul one by one, the effects stay well done and the white faces of the possessed are scary from the first moment to the last. Being a sequel, the film also gets to skip over a majority of the wondering if there’s actually something evil happening and dig right into the horror. There’s barely a 10 minute stretch without something supernatural attacking.

The dynamic between the foster siblings also proves to be a lot more compelling than the cliched rich family strife of the first as well. Chelsea Islan as Alfie remains the biggest strength of the series, with her all out performances creating a very worthy opponent for the devilish forces she’s up against.

The film manages to fix the problems with the original films overreaching homage, this time with no more ‘Evil Dead’ references aside from a key cellar door, it creates its own problems, namely going too big in efforts to one up its predecessor. A late twist that feels more unearned and off putting then horrifying and a climax that can only be classified as a superhero movie leave the viewer wishing the film had ended about 15 minutes earlier. 

‘May the Devil Take You Too’ premieres on Shudder on October 29th and despite its flaws, makes a very enjoyable horror just in time for Halloween.

Nightstream: ‘May the Devil Take You Too’ is Flawed, but Supersedes the Original

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