REVIEW: “The Jester 2” (2025)

by

On Halloween night, children delight in donning their preferred costumes and venturing out into their local neighborhoods in search of sweet treats. This time of year also serves as an opportunity for movie villains with a penchant for terror and violence to carry out their grisly exploits. It’s a widely recognized trope in cinema that fans of both slasher and non-slasher films are well acquainted with.

The upcoming movie that unleashes its Halloween-themed slayer is titled “The Jester 2″. The main character, who first appeared in a series of well-crafted short films, can currently be streamed on YouTube. These shorts provided a foundation for the full-length film set to release in 2023, despite not making a significant impact initially. However, Colin Krawchuk, the writer, director, and editor who has overseen every “Jester” project thus far, managed to secure a sequel – a clear demonstration of his dedication to his creative work.

The Character, skillfully portrayed by Michael Sheffield, is an enigmatic, silent trickster adorned in a vibrant suit, tall hat, and a grotesque jester’s mask concealing his features. He exhibits elements of magic, darkness, and madness in abundance. Regrettably, his depth is limited. Around halfway through the movie, we are provided with a supernatural rationale for his actions. However, this explanation seems more like a plot requirement than an integral part of his character development and narrative.

Regarding our main character, 15-year-old Max (played by Kaitlyn Trentham) is a kind yet shy individual who finds it difficult to belong. At home, she endures relentless criticism from one of the most harsh movie moms this year (Jessica Ambuehl). Meanwhile, at school, she’s frequently picked on by the popular bullies. The only things that truly bring her joy are magic and Willie (Dingani Beza), the proprietor of a small local magic store.

Dressed in a homemade magician outfit, Max ventures out on Halloween night for some fun. However, her night takes an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with some pesky schoolmates and later receives words of encouragement from Willie. This twist in events leads Max to come face-to-face with the mysterious Jester. At first, she is captivated by this quiet performer who impresses her with his magic skills, and even more so when he takes an interest in her. But when she watches him use his magic to kill a woman, Max comprehends that she is in the company of evil.

The film generally follows a familiar pattern for slasher movies, but that’s not always a drawback in this genre. Over time, slasher films have become a well-established subcategory of horror, catering largely to audience expectations. In this regard, “The Jester 2” aims to please, providing a distinct and often gruesome range of killings. However, similar to many such movies, the true originality lies in the character of the killer. The Jester undeniably possesses an unnerving, sadistic streak that keeps viewers intrigued. Unfortunately, there’s still much about his background that remains a secret.

I found it quite intriguing that “The Jester 2” shares some similarities with its predecessor in terms of strengths and weaknesses. It undeniably manages to instill a truly chilling atmosphere, and the character of the Jester, brought to life so convincingly by Sheffield’s performance, definitely holds our fascination. However, there are vast areas of mythology and backstory that remain unexplored. Although the narrative we do receive is sufficient, it doesn’t quite keep us hooked as it transitions from one gruesome scene to another.

Read More

2025-09-10 18:58