"Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge"
review by Diablo Joe



"Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge"

Two things are unique to the horror genre. Maybe it’s its roots in scary tales told camp side, but no other category of films uses the anthology format as frequently or as successfully as horror. And horror fans? No other movie enthusiasts champion and cheer on the myriad of tropes and hoary cliches that run rampant through the films they love so much.

2019’s “Scare Package” was a meta omnibus ode to the genre we all know and love. It introduced us to Rad Chad, the horror-obsessed owner of a video store dedicated to all manner of scary cinema. The film’s octet of stories plays out as training for Chad’s new employee until Chad and Co. become part of a horror tale themselves. “Scare Package” was cheeky good fun, with high production values, terrific performances, plenty of gore, and a lot of in-jokes and laughs.

Shudder Original, “Scare Package II: Rad Chad's Revenge,” invites us to attend Chad’s funeral. The guests find themselves in a series of “Saw”-like traps and conundrums that allow the movie’s chapters to play out with the same loving tributes to horror films that endeared fans of the first entry. Sticking to that formula is not the only thing sequel audiences will find familiar. Besides the return of Rad Chad and obsequious fanboy Sam, several characters (and killers) from the first picture make their way in and out of the four tales and the film’s main story.

The decision to pare down the count from a framing tale and seven vignettes to just four of the latter allows Chad’s funeral to flesh itself out (pun intended) in a way the first film’s main story could not. It’s a welcome change, as the original had a few segments that were decidedly sub-par compared to the rest. Production value-wise, both films’ anthologies share a cohesiveness throughout that belies the use of different crews and creators. Similarly, the sensibilities of each chapter stay attuned to the absurdity and campiness of the main story. This continuity keeps the film brisk and punchy, never dragging or seeming disjointed, even as the entirety of it becomes more and more ridiculous.

As noted earlier, Rad Chad and Sam are back, as are the actors Jeremy King and Byron Brown. Kelli Maroney is one of the new—but immediately recognizable—faces of the “Scare Package” franchise. But horror fans may spot more than a few other familiar players and a slew of folks from the first go-round, including, of course, Joe Bob Briggs. The entire cast is a cut above and more than game for the humor and the gore that “Scare Package II” heaps on us. Their comedic timing is solid, and the jokes stick their landing more often than not.

Some viewers may miss the nostalgia of the video store setting of the first film, but “Scare Package II” keeps up its predecessor’s love for the horror genre and preposterous twists and turns. And as much as it continues that mold, it is a very different film and may even be better. Creators Aaron B. Koontz and Cameron Burns know what they’re doing and who in their circle to tap for co-conspirators.

Does ANY of it really make sense? Just why DOES Chad need revenge? When a film is this much a big bloody bowl of buttery popcorn, who cares?? You don’t have to have seen the first film to enjoy “Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge,” nor do you have to get all the myriad references. But those familiar with both will gain the most joy from watching this fun tribute to slashers, killers, monsters, and gore.

This devil of a reviewer gives “Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge” 3 out 5 imps.