Alright, fellow tapeheads, let’s rewind to 1994. The video store shelves were brimming, and tucked between the blockbusters and the fading 80s classics, you might have stumbled upon a sequel that, against the odds, brought the demonic party back with surprising energy: Night of the Demons 2. Six long years after the original splattered onto the scene, this follow-up proved that sometimes, lightning can strike twice, especially if it’s wielding cheap lipstick and aiming for maximum gooey mayhem. Forget high art; this is pure, unadulterated Halloweennight-gone-wrong, served up with that unmistakable direct-to-video gusto.
### Back to Hull House High Jinks
The setup is classic teen horror fodder, perfectly suited for a Friday night rental. We're introduced to a fresh batch of troubled teens stuck at St. Rita's Academy, a Catholic boarding school conveniently located near the infamous Hull House. Led by the rebellious Melissa (played with punky attitude by Cristi Harris, who often went by Bibi), a group including the goofy Perry (Robert Jayne) and the cool-guy wannabe Z-Boy (Darin Heames) decides a little demonic dabbling is the perfect escape from stern Sister Gloria (Jennifer Rhodes, bringing delightful toughness to the role). Naturally, they awaken the dormant evil, and more specifically, the iconic demon queen herself, Angela Franklin.
What follows is less a retread and more an energetic remix. While the original had a raw, almost nihilistic edge, this sequel leans more into a frantic, funhouse vibe. This shift in tone owes a massive debt to director Brian Trenchard-Smith. Known for his efficient, action-packed style often showcased in Ozploitation classics like The Man from Hong Kong (1975) and later, surprisingly effective sequels like Leprechaun 3 (1995), Trenchard-Smith brings a kinetic energy that keeps things moving at a breakneck pace. He reportedly did uncredited rewrites on the script originally penned by Joe Augustyn (writer of the first film), injecting his signature blend of thrills and dark humor.
### Angela Returns, and So Does the Goo
Let's be honest, a huge draw here is the return of Amelia Kinkade as Angela. She slinks back into the role with demonic glee, still possessing that unsettlingly seductive menace. She doesn't just stand there; she moves. Fun fact: Kinkade, a trained dancer, actually choreographed her own sinuous, creepy movements, adding a unique physical dimension to the character that CGI creations rarely capture. Her re-emergence, complete with that chilling smile, signals the true start of the mayhem.
And oh, the mayhem! This is where Night of the Demons 2 truly shines for fans of the VHS era. Forget subtle scares; this film revels in practical effects, delivering a glorious cascade of latex, Karo syrup blood, and imaginative creature designs. Remember Angela transforming Shirley with that demonic lipstick? The sheer visceral wrongness of it, achieved through clever makeup and puppetry, sticks with you far more than any weightless digital morph. And who could forget the possessed basketball player dribbling his own detached head, or the infamous snake-slithering-from-mouth gag? These moments might look a little rough around the edges now, sure, but back then, viewed on a fuzzy CRT, they felt tangible, messy, and wonderfully outrageous. There's a handcrafted quality, a sense of artists physically wrestling materials to create these nightmares, that modern effects often lack. It wasn't smooth, but it felt real in its own grotesque way.
### Schlock with Style
While the characters aren't deeply developed, the young cast commits to the chaos. Cristi Harris makes for a likable final girl, tougher than she initially appears. The supporting characters fill their roles effectively, providing fodder for the demonic onslaught and landing the occasional darkly funny line. The script knows exactly what it is – a vehicle for creative kills and demonic set pieces – and Trenchard-Smith directs it with lean efficiency. Filmed primarily in Los Angeles, stepping in for the original's location, the production makes the most of its likely modest, direct-to-video budget. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but it spins it with infectious enthusiasm.
Released straight to video stores in '94, Night of the Demons 2 bypassed theaters but quickly found its audience among horror fans hungry for more practical gore and creature feature fun. It never quite matched the cult status of the original 1988 film, but it carved out its own respectable niche, often remembered more fondly than many other DTV horror sequels of the era precisely because it delivered on its promise of energetic, effects-driven horror-comedy.
***
VHS Heaven Rating: 7/10
Justification: While the plot is thin and the characters are archetypes, Night of the Demons 2 scores high on sheer entertainment value, directorial energy, and most importantly, gloriously goopy practical effects. Brian Trenchard-Smith works wonders within the DTV constraints, Amelia Kinkade is iconic, and the creature gags are memorable standouts of 90s horror craftsmanship. It knows what it is and delivers with infectious, demonic glee.
Final Thought: It might not be high art, but crank this tape for a gleefully grotesque trip back to when horror sequels could still surprise you with practical slime and demonic attitude – a perfect slice of 90s video store magic.