THE HILLS RUN RED 2 (2025)

A Twisted Return to Horror's Most Terrifying Landscape

When The Hills Run Red debuted in 2009, it captivated horror fans with its brutal portrayal of a group of filmmakers caught in a deadly struggle for survival against a demented family of killers. Its combination of slasher thrills and psychological terror made it a standout in the genre. Now, over a decade later, the long-awaited sequel, The Hills Run Red 2 (2025), brings back the blood-soaked terror, diving even deeper into the nightmare of the hills and the horrors that reside within.

Directed by Adam Green, known for his work on Hatchet and Frozen, the sequel promises to up the ante with even more shocking violence, a darker narrative, and an entirely new set of characters who will face the twisted forces that haunt the hills. But at its heart, The Hills Run Red 2 (2025) remains a film about survival, obsession, and the unstoppable pull of evil.

The Plot: Return to the Hills of Terror

The Hills Run Red 2 picks up years after the devastating events of the original film. In the first installment, a group of filmmakers set out to uncover the secrets behind a lost horror film, only to discover that the real terror was alive and well in the form of the sadistic Babyface and his twisted family.

In this sequel, a new group of filmmakers, thrill-seekers, and true-crime enthusiasts find themselves drawn to the mysterious hills, hoping to unearth the truth about the chilling events that happened years ago. Ella (Florence Pugh), a passionate young filmmaker with her own dark past, is obsessed with documenting the terrifying events surrounding the lost crew. She brings together a team of crew members, including Lily (Emma Mackey), a journalist with a shadowy history, and Max (John Boyega), a tech genius who knows how to handle dangerous situations.

They set out to make a documentary about the original film crew’s disappearance, believing they can safely explore the hills and uncover what really happened. But the hills are not empty. Babyface (played by William Sadler) is still alive, and his thirst for blood is far from quenched. Along with new deadly figures lurking in the shadows, the group quickly finds themselves in a nightmare they may not escape. The team soon realizes they are not alone—and that the real horror begins the moment they set foot in the hills.

As the group is hunted down one by one, Ella must face her own personal demons while navigating the terrifying environment. Each discovery she makes about the killers’ twisted history forces her to confront the deepest, darkest parts of herself, questioning whether she’s truly prepared to survive the blood-soaked nightmare.

Themes of Obsession, Guilt, and the Power of Fear

At its core, The Hills Run Red 2 delves into the psychology of obsession. Ella’s unrelenting drive to uncover the truth about the first film crew’s disappearance mirrors the dangerous pull of curiosity, especially when it comes to subjects as macabre as the one that haunts the hills. She soon realizes that uncovering the secrets of the killers comes at a horrific price, but it’s already too late.

Another key theme is guilt—specifically the sense of responsibility the new characters feel for putting themselves in harm's way. As the survivors of the first film continue to haunt the narrative, the sequel explores how the past never truly dies, and the consequences of those who’ve been wronged or hurt are often felt long after the initial trauma. Whether it’s through vengeance or a desire for recognition, the idea of coming to terms with one’s past mistakes will be a central emotional driver.

Above all, the film continues to explore fear as a powerful, uncontrollable force. As the characters face their own nightmares, the movie dives into psychological horror territory, forcing viewers to question what’s real and what’s imagined. Fear, in The Hills Run Red 2, is not just about what’s lurking in the dark, but about the terror within one’s mind, as the characters unravel more about the twisted nature of the hills.

New Killers, New Threats: The Return of Babyface

While The Hills Run Red 2 introduces fresh faces, it also brings back the terrifying figure of Babyface, the deformed killer who was the face of the original movie’s horrors. Now, even more brutal and ruthless, Babyface, portrayed once again by William Sadler, remains one of the most menacing figures in modern horror. His hunger for revenge, combined with his twisted psychological nature, makes him a central figure in the new terror that awaits Ella and her crew.

But Babyface is not the only threat in the hills. The sequel introduces a new breed of killers, including The Hollow Man, played by Michael B. Jordan, a masked figure whose mysterious motives only add to the growing sense of unease. Unlike Babyface, whose motives are personal and revenge-driven, The Hollow Man is a calculating and sadistic killer, who seems to enjoy toying with his victims.

These new killers form a deadly team that works together to torment and hunt the group, using psychological games and brutal violence to break them down. As Ella and her crew race against time to survive, the killers become more than just physical threats—they are also manifestations of fear and paranoia that grow more potent with every encounter.

A Gripping, Gory Thrill Ride

Fans of The Hills Run Red can rest assured that the sequel will not shy away from the brutal violence and gory spectacle that made the original a hit. Expect shocking kills, terrifying moments, and an unrelenting sense of dread as the characters navigate a world where survival seems impossible.

Director Adam Green returns to deliver a film that combines intense action, gut-wrenching horror, and psychological tension. While the slasher elements of the film will certainly keep audiences on the edge of their seats, it’s the slow build-up of tension and the eerie atmosphere that truly sets The Hills Run Red 2 apart. Each corner of the hills hides a new terror, and every step taken into the unknown makes the characters more vulnerable to the madness that lies ahead.

Conclusion: The Terror Continues

The Hills Run Red 2 (2025) is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated horror sequels of the decade. With an all-star cast, a return to the bone-chilling environment of the hills, and a new, more sinister chapter in the story of Babyface and his twisted family, this sequel promises to push the limits of horror and suspense.

Fans of the original film will find themselves drawn back into the terrifying world that The Hills Run Red created, while newcomers to the franchise will be introduced to a brutal, nightmarish landscape that is as psychological as it is physical. Prepare for a terrifying journey into the heart of darkness—a place where the only certainty is that no one is safe, and the hills will always run red.