Having thoroughly enjoyed the original Ginger Snaps for its unique blend of horror, coming-of-age themes, and sharp social commentary, I found myself drawn to complete the trilogy, wanting a sense of closure to the compelling narrative that I was now invested in.
Luckily, the second installment, Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed was available to stream so I thought I'd give that a watch to see if it lived up to the original.
Well, the film is pretty much a straight continuation from the ending of the first story with the focus on Brigitte (Emily Perkins). As she grapples with the death of her sister and her own impending transformation, she navigates the social and systemic complexities of the rehabilitation center, all whole being the relentlessly pursued by a new, more feral werewolf.
While the raw, visceral energy of the first film was somewhat tempered, Unleashed delves deeper into the psychological torment and isolation that comes with the curse. Having watched the film it reminds me of the American McGee's videogames Alice and sequel Alice: Madness Returns which takes us on a more gothic and psychological version of Lewis Carroll's original tale. Here, Ginger is gone in body but not in spirit as Perkin's Brigitte struggles along trying to prove that she is not mad while, Ginger, like an evil Jiminy Cricket, teases and aims to turn her as she navigates the facility trying to prove that she isn't a drug-addled mental health patient.
The film's staging is more cinematic with lots of careful staging and stylised angled shots. The make-up budget has improved proved as Ginger and Brigitte look more glamorous, even though Perkins' character is supposed to be an addict to the antidote. Sure, there are fewer werewolf money shots and far fewer animatronic tranformations but the whole production looks very good, probably because it is mostly set in a dilapidated rehab clinic.
Perkins is excellent in her role as a young woman who is struggling to keep the curse at bay while everyone else thinks she is mad. She plays wide eyed confusion very well and her swivel eyed looks for escape are amazing but I must mention the performance of a very young Tatiana Maslany as Ghost. Even in this early role, Maslany's talent for embodying complex, often troubled characters is evident. Her portrayal of Ghost, a seemingly innocent but deeply disturbed young girl, adds a layer of unsettling tension and unpredictability to the narrative. It's fascinating to watch this performance now, knowing the incredible range she would later display as a star in the critically acclaimed series Orphan Black, where she masterfully played multiple distinct clones, and more recently, her entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as She-Hulk. Her presence in Ginger Snaps 2 serves as a compelling early showcase of the acting talent that would thrive later.
While perhaps not reaching the cult classic status of its predecessor, Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed is a worthy, if grimmer, entry into the trilogy. It provided a necessary continuation for those invested in the characters' fates and offers a chance to see burgeoning talents like Tatiana Maslany in earlier roles. Sure, it has some questionable material that was of its time, like when a psychologists notes 'Lesbian?' when Brigitte talks about the horrific side effects of turning into a werewolf but, for the most part, nothing too egregious. Overall this film is a great watch and has stood the test of time pretty well.
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