Reviews: Brahms: The Boy II (2020) Movie Review
Genres: Horror, Thriller, Drama, Mystery
Subgenres: Mystery, Possession, Supernatural, Cursed, Dolls, Dysfunctional Family, Haunted, Psychic
Horror fans searching for a breakdown of Brahms: The Boy II (2020) will find our review covers the plot, themes, and the shocking ending everyone talks about.
Brahms: The Boy II attempts to expand the chilling story introduced in The Boy (2016) but ultimately undermines its predecessor’s psychological horror by transforming it into a standard supernatural haunted doll movie. The original film played with expectations, making audiences question whether the eerie porcelain figure was truly alive or a product of manipulation. However, this sequel discards that ambiguity in favor of predictable horror tropes, abandoning the unsettling psychological angle that made The Boy unique.
Brahms: The Boy II (2020) – A Hollow Horror Sequel That Misses the Mark
A Sequel That Ignores Its Own Horror Lore
Instead of exploring deep psychological trauma or the eerie presence of Brahms, this sequel focuses on a haunted mansion setting with cheap jump scares that feel uninspired. The suspense that carried the first film is replaced with an approach that’s neither fresh nor engaging.
Horror That Lacks Tension and Originality
One of the most frustrating aspects of Brahms: The Boy II is its overreliance on tired horror clichés. Unlike the first film’s eerie, slow-burn tension, this entry lacks atmospheric buildup, making each jump scare feel hollow.
Instead of playing with audience expectations, the film fully embraces a supernatural narrative without adding anything new to the haunted doll subgenre. Brahms, once a symbol of mystery, is now reduced to just another generic horror villain, failing to evoke the same psychological fear as before.
While the cinematography captures the eerie Heelshire estate, the film fails to craft memorable horror set pieces. The dark, gothic visuals create a foreboding atmosphere, but the execution of scares and tension-building falls flat.
Weak Character Development and a Lackluster Storyline
Another major issue is the weak characterization of the film’s protagonists. Katie Holmes plays the role of a traumatized mother, but her backstory lacks emotional depth. Instead of actively driving the story, she simply reacts to events, making it difficult for audiences to connect with her struggles.
The father is even more underdeveloped, barely serving any purpose beyond his presence in the film. The child, who is supposed to be the emotional core, becomes a stereotypical “creepy kid” horror trope, delivering unsettling lines without much emotional weight.
The family dynamic could have elevated the film, but due to weak writing and underwhelming performances, the emotional stakes are nonexistent. Without strong, engaging characters, the horror elements lose their impact, making the scares feel cheap and unearned.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Brahms: The Boy II
Strengths:
- Some atmospheric cinematography that captures the eerie mansion setting.
- A few unsettling moments that briefly recapture the tone of the first film.
Weaknesses:
- Undermines the original film’s twist, replacing it with generic supernatural horror.
- Relies on predictable jump scares instead of psychological tension.
- Forgettable characters with weak development and little emotional weight.
- Fails to build suspense, resulting in a lack of tension throughout the film.
Final Verdict: 4/10 – A Forgettable Horror Sequel
Brahms: The Boy II is a disappointing follow-up that fails to expand on the psychological horror of its predecessor. Instead of deepening the eerie mythology of Brahms, the film takes the easy route by turning him into just another haunted doll. With a weak script, predictable scares, and uninspired execution, the film fails to justify its existence.
While the gothic setting and occasional eerie moments prevent it from being a total disaster, it’s nowhere near as effective as the first film. If you enjoyed The Boy for its psychological horror elements, this sequel will likely be a major letdown.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Brahms: The Boy II Rating Scores
- Our Score: 4/10
- Overall Score: 3.29/10
- IMDB: 4.7/10
- MetaCritic: 2.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 1.1/10
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