Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge – Shudder Review (4/5)

SCARE PACKAGE II: RAD CHAD’S REVENGE on Shudder is the horror-comedy anthology sequel that feels like pure fan service. So full of horror pop culture references that you’re bound to miss a few. Read our full Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge anthology review here!

SCARE PACKAGE II: RAD CHAD’S REVENGE on Shudder is a sequel to the 2019 horror-comedy anthology. And yes, you really should watch the first one, to get the most out of this sequel, which is a straight-up horror-fan service. In a good way. A very good way!

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Our review of the first movie in this new horror-comedy franchise Scare Package from 2019 >

Just like the first movie, this sequel is full of horror pop culture references. So much so that you’re bound to miss a few. This is like Scary Movie but made by and for die-hard horror movie fans. In other words, you’ll miss many references if you’re not familiar with the classics of the genre.

Continue reading our Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge anthology review below. Find it on Shudder from December 22, 2022.

A meta horror-comedy anthology

In the sequel, we begin with the funeral of horror guru Rad Chad Buckley. You’ll definitely remember him from the first movie since he was the owner of “Rad Chad’s Horror Emporium”. The funeral quickly turns into an elaborate series of death traps.

Obviously, this meta horror-comedy anthology is built around this new core story which leads to the smaller segments. You’ll no doubt find a favorite of your own.

All the games are centered around Chad’s favorite films, so now the guests must band together and use the rules of horror to survive the bloody game. Complete with a Jigsaw-like version of Chad himself. And yes, I do feel myself wanting this “Jigsaw-Chad” doll, the further along we get with Scare package II.

A really strong sequel

I think I actually prefer this sequel, which doesn’t happen often. It just excels at not taking itself too seriously. Also, it manages to honor “true” horror fans while also reminding everyone to chill out. Horror is for everyone and there’s no need to shame any horror fan for having a style or subgenre preference that differs from yours.

Personally, I love psychological horror movies, sci-fi horror, and horror-comedy. Those three don’t really overlap too often, but I adore them all. And why shouldn’t anyone just enjoy whatever makes their little horror-loving heart skip a beat?

Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge manages to get this message across as well. In so many words, obviously, but the love of horror (and horror-comedy as well as the classics of various subgenres) is obvious!

Watch Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge on Shudder!

The creators of Scare Package II are Aaron B. Koontz & Cameron Burns. Aaron B. Koontz is also the overall director of this anthology. The meta horror-comedy anthology sequel consists of several segments that I’ll list along with the respective writers and directors below.

“Welcome to the 90s” is a true Final Girl tribute and I loved it. Written and directed by Alexandra Barreto.

“The Night He Came Back Again! Part VI: The Night She Came Back” is a sequel to one of the segments from the first movie. Directed by Anthony Cousins and written by John Karsko.

“Special Edition” was written and directed by Jed Shepherd, who wrote on the two Rob Savage movies Host (2020) and Dashcam (2021).

“We’re So Dead” is directed by Rachele Wiggins, and was written by creators Aaron B. Koontz and Cameron Burns.

The cast of this sequel has both familiar and fresh faces. I loved the entire cast but obviously had favorite characters – just like I had favorite segments. I definitely enjoyed this anthology as a whole, but I must admit the “Welcome to the 90s”-segment hit perfectly with all the final girl nostalgia.

Scare Package II: Rad Chad’s Revenge is available on Shudder on December 22, 2022.

Details

Creators: Aaron B. Koontz & Cameron Burns
Director: Aaron B. Koontz
Segment Directors: Alexandra Barreto, Anthony Cousins, Jed Shepherd, Rachele Wiggins
Starring: Zoe Graham, Jeremy King, Rich Sommer, Shakira Ja’nai Paye, Kelli Maroney, Graham Skipper, Maria Olsen, Steph Barkley, Barbara Bingham, Chelsea Grant, Byron Brown, Jemma Moore, Caroline Ward