Universal Pictures | Release Date: February 14, 2019
6.3
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 189 Ratings
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Positive:
83
Mixed:
86
Negative:
20
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5
moviemitch96Feb 17, 2019
I thought the first film had some fun moments, but mostly just further exhausted the 'Groundhog Day'/time loop premise, and I was pretty surprised to learn that it was getting a sequel so soon, what with the first only coming out a year or soI thought the first film had some fun moments, but mostly just further exhausted the 'Groundhog Day'/time loop premise, and I was pretty surprised to learn that it was getting a sequel so soon, what with the first only coming out a year or so ago. Nevertheless, this one surprised me in some ways. For one, it wasn't really a slasher like the first one was, rather it introduced sci-fi and multiverse elements to it, which I thought felt somewhat interesting, but also ridiculous at times. Some of the acting and dialogue from certain characters was also cringeworthy. However, I will say that the acting from lead actress Jessica Rothe was once again pretty solid, and there were a surprising amount of deep, meaningful, and emotional scenes with her character that helped keep the film investing at times. But overall, despite the handful of meaningful and decent moments, rather than building upon what the first film offered, it seemed to just jumble a bunch of genres together horror/slasher, sci-fi, comedy, etc.) with no clear aim if you ask me. Expand
4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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4
Rebecca31Mar 10, 2019
Happy Death Day, the Groundhog Day meets horror movie which came out two years ago has for some reason gotten a sequel. For those of you who haven't seen the first Happy Death Day, college student Tree Gelbman (Jessica Rothe) must relive theHappy Death Day, the Groundhog Day meets horror movie which came out two years ago has for some reason gotten a sequel. For those of you who haven't seen the first Happy Death Day, college student Tree Gelbman (Jessica Rothe) must relive the same day over and over, getting murdered by someone in a baby face mask until she figures out who the murderer is. A movie so bad it's good and so good it made over twenty times its budget, not only have we gotten a sequel but there's a strong possibility of a third movie thus completing the trilogy. Happy Death Day 2U sees the return of Tree and if she thought dying over and over again was bad things just get a whole lot worse for poor Tree as she's faced with some rather surprising moral dilemmas with dangerous consequences.

I really don't believe Happy Death Day needed a sequel, especially a sequel that honestly doesn't know what genre it wants to be anymore. I don't remember anyone asking for an explanation to the time loops but Happy Death Day 2U decides to give one anyway in the form of some really smart college students creating a molecular quantum glowy ball thing that isn't really doing what it's supposed to do but is definitely doing something freaky because why not? Why wouldn't the time loops be created like this, Happy Death Day 2U makes the decision to just hop into a whole other genre. The first one is very much rooted in horror but this was all over the place. I felt it was a mess, story wise it just wasn't working for me and it only got worse, by the end it felt like a soap it was that overly dramatic. Despite this and the truly awful script, it's got more than a few laugh out loud moments, possibly for all the wrong reasons but that doesn't really matter if it's still making you laugh. And I did laugh, numerous times at just how daft this film is. Particularly Jessica Rothe who honestly plays this part so well, alongside a whole group of mediocre actors her performance stands out even more for an hour and a half and considering so many horror/comedies fail at this I have to give it some kudos because I have seen much worse. It's a bad movie that will entertain you. The first one is a better film and I stand by my earlier comment, there was no need for a sequel but something's gotta pay the bills, recommended for fans of Happy Death Day.
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2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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5
NightReviewsMay 29, 2019
When thinking about the comedy-horror genre, there are very few and far in-between films that come to mind. While it may be hard to conjure up a large number of films which remain memorable for quality and not for overall lewdness, gross outWhen thinking about the comedy-horror genre, there are very few and far in-between films that come to mind. While it may be hard to conjure up a large number of films which remain memorable for quality and not for overall lewdness, gross out gags are born and raised in these types of films. While more often than not, many of the films born in this genre have made, for the most part, a mockery of the genre, thankfully there are a few gems to carry the cultish torch; gems like Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead, Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, or Edgar Wright’s Shaun of The Dead and Scary Movie from the lively Keenen Ivory Wayans remain some of the few films that come to mind right away. All notable and truly brilliant contributions to the genre, these films possess the impressive ability to walk the proverbial tightrope between the equally difficult threshold of outlandish yet effective comedy and frightening and truly terrifying horror. The natural benefit of combining the two is that both commonly rely on similar mechanics for the pay off or climax of scenes. The pacing is similar; you find the same tension that gets built up for a laugh but could easily shift gears and become build up for a gasp, and for both respectable genres, it’s all about the revealing of what we the audience have been waiting for, the killer behind the shower curtain or the perfectly timed punchline.

Happy Death Day 2U is directed by Christopher Landon, a filmmaker who jumped in on the train that was Paranormal Activity after the massive success of the first indie surprise hit. Yet, as devoted Landon is to the genre itself, directing and writing many entries in the comedy-horror subgenre, including 2015’s Scouts Guide to The Zombie Apocalypse, Death Day 2U is a fresh and invigorating take on genre but also on romance, mortality and even includes a dash of science fiction. The brilliant, even outstanding advantage Death Day 2U has over films before it of its kind is its show stopping leading lady who is larger than the film itself Jessica Rothe. Death Day 2U is a sequel and we see Jessica reprising her role as Tree Gelbman, the time looped slasher victim of all slasher victims from the first film. This time around she gets caught in the Groundhog Day/Halloween type scenario once again. Let me just say that Rothe plays the role like an ace; funny, down to earth, beautiful and well-timed as a comic, she also crowns herself a worthy scream-queen next some greats. While the film uses the reviving or reincarnating premise to the fifth degree unabashedly, luckily for the audience, it never feels tiresome; the cinematic gimmick stays fresh. The main plot device is primarily governed by the films main comedic power Phi Vu playing the character of Ryan Lin, a friend of Tree’s who ends up getting stuck in the same “loop” or dimension that Tree was stuck in. With this new dilemma and multiple dimensions in the film, it never feels boring or cliché. One of the dimensions has Tree’s recently deceased mother alive and well, along with her boyfriend Carter Davis played by Israel Broussard dating Tree’s arch enemy from the original first dimension the film started in, these scenes provided surprising and truly moving emotional weight to the film, giving insight to relationships and life overall. I can honestly say that I was completely thrown off by the films ability to include so many different scenarios and ways for Tree to be murdered with some truly hilarious scenes. Yet all at the same time hold any kind of weight emotionally, the side plot involving her mother being alive is truly heartbreaking to see and did not feel melodramatic or forced. All of the side characters in the film held there weight and served there desired purpose and honestly the entire film is simply good fun. Popular culture references are present and the riffing on Inception and other dimension based works brought belly laughs out of the audience. The horror aspect of the film was designed with what I believe to be simplicity in mind, simple side plots including an affair between a young Nurse who is a friend of Tree’s and a doctor set stage for some awesome suspense sequences. The killer possess zero qualities other than mild athleticism and a brilliantly designed school mascot mask that he dons as he attempts to satisfy his blood thirst, paired with a Michael Myers style kitchen knife as his weapon of choice. The mask is perfect and Landon does a good job at offsetting the usual jump out and scare tactics to actually be effective and a hell of a fun ride. Happy Death Day 2U is a destined to fail concept, with so many genres and feelings thrown into one mix, it takes quite the perfect storm to turn said mix into a good Manhattan, and let me tell you, Christopher Landon was the perfect bartender for this party.
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
Karmazyn83May 7, 2019
This movie started so well, it was so promising and suddenly it turn from light slasher movie into comedy/teenage drama/slasher movie. This transition changed the movie's dynamic. First - something brave,original and funny turn into boring,This movie started so well, it was so promising and suddenly it turn from light slasher movie into comedy/teenage drama/slasher movie. This transition changed the movie's dynamic. First - something brave,original and funny turn into boring, confusing, multiverse time-travel movie. Why, oh why they ruined their own franchise. Out of all possible scenarios they chose to run with the time-machine plot line interjected with family/boyfriend drama which just dragged for far too long. This was so unnecessary, so forced onto the viewer. Movie itself was a collection of sometimes idiotic deaths and the feeling of dread and mystery totally evaporated from the movie. I was really hoping for the better, bigger, bolder sequel and I got light s-f comedy instead. I know that the first movie had this funny vibe but it was leaning more towards slasher than comedy and here the scales tipped more on the comedy side. I watched it all but am disappointed with wasted potential. Hey dude ! Turn the time machine back on, I will travel back in time and fix your movie for you !!! Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
eagleeyevikingJul 17, 2019
While the addition of humour and sci-fi elements isn't enough to freshen this sequel, the film is entertaining from start to finish.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
bfoore90Oct 20, 2019
A solid sequel to a good film that let's itself down with a boring sciencey time-loop subplot and a cheesy overly romantic ending that defies logic.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
The3AcademySinsOct 30, 2019
Happy Death Day 2U is such an interesting follow up to the original Happy Death Day. In some regards, it improves vastly on the premise of the original film. Shifting the genre from horror/comedy to sci-fi/comedy is such an incredibly strongHappy Death Day 2U is such an interesting follow up to the original Happy Death Day. In some regards, it improves vastly on the premise of the original film. Shifting the genre from horror/comedy to sci-fi/comedy is such an incredibly strong writing choice that only elevates the movie. There are some excellent character developments and world expansions in the script, and the script itself is quite witty. There are thought provoking parallels to absurdism, and without giving too much away, even the title of this movie, Happy Death Day 2U is a cleverly disguised plot reveal.

Jessica Rothe triumphantly returns to the character of Tree Gelbard, and she's only gotten better since the first movie. The whole rest of the cast also reprises their roles, and you can tell there was a lot of passion that went into making this sequel. For the most part, the passion pays off. Where Happy Death Day 2U falls short is in its technical execution and meandering second third of the movie.

Very noticeably, it seems like the production quality of HDD2U has dropped considerably. The lighting isn't as good. The CGI is more noticeable, the fake CGI blood just looks bad and is somewhat over indulgent. The camera work is cookie-cutter and uninteresting. The score is just noise. As far as the storytelling, about halfway through the second act, and halfway through the third act, up until right before the climax, nothing happens. You can skip this entire 20 minutes of screen time and not miss anything. All in all, while not as good as the first film, this sequel provides enough fresh twists to at least be somewhat memorable.
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
JLuis_001Feb 18, 2019
I never thought this film would cause a sequel but considering it was an unexpected success, it goes without saying that it was more than inevitable.

The first one didn't seem so bad to me. I really believed that despite its lack of
I never thought this film would cause a sequel but considering it was an unexpected success, it goes without saying that it was more than inevitable.

The first one didn't seem so bad to me. I really believed that despite its lack of originality it turned out to be more entertaining than I expected. This sequel tries to emulate the same thing with certain slight changes that don't really help and therefore it feels smaller.
It's like they say: you cannot make the same joke work twice.
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
GrantD243Mar 4, 2019
Happy Death Day 2U is an unnecessary sequel that never reaches the level of entertainment or creativity of the first film, and the ending drags on so long that it becomes silly.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
QuintonKnightMar 4, 2019
While not quite as good as the original, Happy Death 2U is a fun sequel though it can get very confusing at times.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
lcamoviereviewsApr 19, 2019
Welcome back to “Groundhog Day” the horror edition part two. The first film was a lot of fun with some good humorous moments and horror. We were left with the only question of what caused her to relive the same day over and over again. ItWelcome back to “Groundhog Day” the horror edition part two. The first film was a lot of fun with some good humorous moments and horror. We were left with the only question of what caused her to relive the same day over and over again. It wasn’t something that needed to be explained but sometimes to get an explanation. So with that comes the sequel. I was looking forward to this and had high hopes for it to be as refreshing and fun as the first. What we got was something like that but not quite as good. That’s not to say the film is disapointing because it’s not. It is still fun with plenty of funny moments that really gave me some good belly laughs. This is not so much a horror movie anymore. This is a sci-fi film with a time travel edge. I give the filmmakers serious props with how well they matched up scenes from the first film perfectily here and made everything feel seamless beginning to end. This time around, Carter’s roommate Ryan is given more to do. We find out he and friends have made a quantum reactor that is fact causing these time loops. THe beginning provides a bit of a shocker with Ryan being chased by another version of himself. This leads to him activating the device and with it, Tree wakes up back in the same day as the first film but something is different. Carter is now dating Danielle, Tree’s sorority sister, and her mother is alive. Jessica Rothe’s scenes with her mother, played by Missy Yager, are very emotional scenes. I actually felt emotion in this scene and in a movie like this, that’s not quite what you would expect but it’s a good thing. One of the biggest disapointments though is the trailer was very misleading. It made it sound like everyone was going to be a vicitim of the killer and that is not the case. Also, the film kind of igonores one of it’s rules only until he needs to use it again at the end. Tree needs to keep killing herself to get equations to help get her back home, but a problem in the first was her keep dying was affecting her body and it actually killing her. So, why does this not seem to be an issue here? Well, it is at the end when it finally starts affecting her but it feels like it’s only being now brought up to benefit the plot. Also, I feel like some plot holes exists that the ending should have addressed, especially with Ryan number two. Now don’t let my complaints fool you, this is still a fun sequel. It does a lot of things good too with some interesting plot twists with the alternate timeline and more characters that are great additions to the film. The first film is better, no question about it, but this is a worthy sequel that continues plot lines with some twists and intruging angle towards a third installment.

Grade: C+
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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4
CrazyStupidJakeJul 30, 2019
I wasn’t expecting to feel so negative about this film. The original was mildly entertaining, with a few laughs and a great lead performance, but largely uninspired. I was happy to see this film try something completely different by ditchingI wasn’t expecting to feel so negative about this film. The original was mildly entertaining, with a few laughs and a great lead performance, but largely uninspired. I was happy to see this film try something completely different by ditching the slasher genre almost completely. Sadly, by doing this, the film proves to be much less entertaining and even more formulaic and dull. The lead performance is still better than the movie deserves but it just isn’t very funny or creative in any way.
 Grade: C- Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
Compi24Feb 26, 2019
A sequel that neither improves upon nor fails to live up to the original, Christopher Landon's "Happy Death Day 2U" aims to ultimately reduce the amount of horror in favor of a more sci-fi friendly approach. However, operating as someone whoA sequel that neither improves upon nor fails to live up to the original, Christopher Landon's "Happy Death Day 2U" aims to ultimately reduce the amount of horror in favor of a more sci-fi friendly approach. However, operating as someone who didn't particularly care for the horror elements in "Happy Death Day," I suppose a little change of pace never hurt -- especially in a franchise where redundancy is quite literally built into its premise. No, none of the science actually makes sense, but what time travel/multi-verse film does really? Still, we have our characteristically out-of-place slapstick and Looney-Tunes-esque montages, neither of which I cared to see again. But, nevertheless, a watchable movie this remains. Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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5
NothingReviewsFeb 26, 2019
It's a meh for me. I thought it was slightly better than the original and I thought the humor was pretty decent. I think they are trying to make this as more of a comedy than a horror movie which I think they did pretty well. However, itIt's a meh for me. I thought it was slightly better than the original and I thought the humor was pretty decent. I think they are trying to make this as more of a comedy than a horror movie which I think they did pretty well. However, it somehow turns into this sci-fi film which it could have been done well but it doesn't really make sense. I thought the acting and script were decent enough and it's just your average horror movie however it doesn't really scare me a lot of times.

Otherwise, a decent sequel which carries out the problems that the original had but at least this movie was more enjoyable and slightly entertaining than the first.
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1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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6
sandbornFeb 19, 2019
Better than the first, it has good moments but gets tedious after a while. I really like that it has its heart in the right place even if the execution falters at times.
2 of 5 users found this helpful23
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6
Jim222001Feb 21, 2019
Spoiler Warning: I had to watch the first more than once to appreciate it. That might be the case for this sequel. Happy Death Day 2U starts out funner and scarier. Then instead of really being a Groundhog Day/Slasher film. It becomesSpoiler Warning: I had to watch the first more than once to appreciate it. That might be the case for this sequel. Happy Death Day 2U starts out funner and scarier. Then instead of really being a Groundhog Day/Slasher film. It becomes pretty much more of a science comedy, like Weird Science and Real Genius. With there being way more heart and comedy than thrills or kills. The movie has some laughs and might still entertain you. However it was basically only made to tie up the loose ends that the first film had. Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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6
JokohamaFeb 15, 2019
Still bad, but somehow, better than the first movie. Still a waste of time and money.
1 of 6 users found this helpful15
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5
MattBrady99Jun 24, 2020
Happy birthday to me!

21 years old, I'm a meme now. Anywhere, What started off as a simple 'Groundhog Day' concept in the first movie, now has turned into a multiverse of madness. With it being a sequel, it goes bolder and more crazy than
Happy birthday to me!

21 years old, I'm a meme now.

Anywhere,

What started off as a simple 'Groundhog Day' concept in the first movie, now has turned into a multiverse of madness.

With it being a sequel, it goes bolder and more crazy than the first, which I had an absolute blast watching. Not a great movie by any means, but a guilty pleasure of mine. I'm actually interested in seeing the third if it gets made.

Also, there's something about Jessica Rothe that I really like. I can't really explain it.
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6
RalfbergsJul 31, 2022
This one I liked a bit less than first since some of it was just too silly, but I still enjoyed it and don't think its bad, just some things couldve been better.
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5
kyle20ellisMar 23, 2022
Found myself enjoying the first 'Happy Death Day' quite a bit, though it did have its flaws. It had a very interesting concept which it made the most of but could have done even more with it. This sequel when hearing of it intrigued me withFound myself enjoying the first 'Happy Death Day' quite a bit, though it did have its flaws. It had a very interesting concept which it made the most of but could have done even more with it. This sequel when hearing of it intrigued me with what it would do with its concept and it looked pretty cool but part of me felt nervous, questioning its neccesity, how it would hold its own, whether it would do anything new or be too much more of the same.

'Happy Death Day 2 U' to me was a watchable sequel that doesn't exactly disgrace the first film, while with room for quite a fair bit of improvement. It is not too more of the same and tries to build upon what we saw before, but also could have been fresher and not tried too hard in the story execution. It is not amateurish, is appealingly played and has enough amusement and atmosphere, at the same time it is not near as focused as the previous film.

Will start with the good. The photography is stylish rather than slapdash, the editing has suitably unnerving moments and the lighting is atmospheric. Christopher Landon never lets it get too heavy while not diluting the fun or scares, and the at times haunting and at others times funky soundtrack adds a lot.

There is a lot of humour, more so than scares actually, and again generally it's knowing and firmly tongue in cheek. There could have been more scares and suspense but when they were there there was some creepiness, or so to me. The acting is solid, but Jessica Rothe is great and one of the main reasons to see 'Happy Death Day 2 U'. The character chemistry is appealing and not forced.

As aforementioned however, although seldom dull the story was much more focused before and slicker. The second half especially, thought the film started off great actually and held my attention, tries to do too much and can get over-complicated. The time dimensions stuff, focused on a little too heavily, could have had more clarity. Neither the comedy or horror feel as fresh. Some staleness in some of the gags and as said the scares and suspense are not enough.

Despite the solid acting, the character writing is superficial. It was in the previous film too but before it felt more self-aware and acknowledgable of that, didn't get as much of that sense here. 'Happy Death Day 2 U' does get increasingly silly in the plotting on top of lack of sense and logic towards the killer reveal. Once again the killer reveal underwhelms, hugely underdeveloped, rushed and confusingly head-scratching.

In conclusion, enjoyed the first but this sequel left me conflicted. 5/10
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4
EpicSurvivorJul 14, 2020
Not really a good movie. Has the basic time travel time loop premise that has been done in a lot of movies before but just doesn't do it very well. Story just feels empty not much of a plot. I would give it a solid 4.5 from 10. Not very good.
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5
JeBjBoMar 6, 2023
Entertaining but overstuffed. Could have benefited from better pacing and a more focused narrative. Jessica Rothe carries this film.
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5
AlanoSilvaPBMar 2, 2023
Eu fiquei sem entender a necessidade desse segundo filme. Mas enfim... é isso ai
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6
MrPajamasAug 10, 2021
A similar case to number one. Nothing masterful, but like it doesn't hurt. An enjoyable respite, although I had more fun here due to the fast pace and overall ending, which I liked. Again, not a horror film. Nothing scary. More of a comedy,A similar case to number one. Nothing masterful, but like it doesn't hurt. An enjoyable respite, although I had more fun here due to the fast pace and overall ending, which I liked. Again, not a horror film. Nothing scary. More of a comedy, but it passed the time pleasantly and I'm not complaining. I would probably only recommend this to those who liked the previous film. Expand
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6
JLauSep 27, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This time, there are two realities, a different killer and the girl needs to choose between bringing back her dead mother or saving her (soon-to-be) dead boyfriend. Expand
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