Chhorii 2 Review: Evil Returns, But Does the Fear?

Chhorii 2 brings back the chilling universe we were first introduced to in its predecessor, with Sakshi (Nushrratt Bharuccha) and her daughter Ishani being made to deal with a haunting supernatural presence in a secluded village. 

Seven years following the horrific incidents of the previous film, the family finds itself back in the same sugarcane fields but this time under greater risk because Ishani's unusual condition exposes her to sunlight as a killer. The terror mounts as they cross paths with Daasi Maa (Soha Ali Khan), a vengeful and ominous figure bent on their annihilation.

Although the promising setup, Chhorii 2 has been met with mixed reception for not being quite as pulse-pounding as the first installment. Although it tries to pair horror with social commentary, it has been pointed out by critics that the film is missing the emotional resonance and scares that set the first installment apart. Being one of the most highly-awaited new OTT releases, it presents a new but disappointing sequel to the screen, streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

A Return to Darkness: The Haunted Sugarcane Fields of Chhorii 2

Chhorii 2 takes place seven years later after the traumatic event in the first part. Sakshi (Nushrratt Bharuccha) is a mother now who is forced to return to the haunted sugarcane fields in a remote village where she had fought her terror with the paranormal in the first film. 

This time, though, she is not alone — her daughter Ishani, who suffers from a rare condition which makes sunlight poisonous to her. And as they head back to the village, they encounter Daasi Maa (Soha Ali Khan), a wicked supernatural being whose wicked powers have grown with each moment. With every step towards her, the tension building up, and Sakshi having to exist in a world of fatal spirits, danger at every step, and even her going mad. 

The survival fight becomes a fight against evil forces as much as a fight against time since Sakshi fights to rescue her daughter from the monsters of the night. In Chhorii 2, the stakes are higher, but the ghastly excitement and emotional weight that were at the heart of the original movie appear drowned out by a plot that cannot keep pace with the ferocity of the original. With supernatural horror lurking at every corner, Chhorii 2 attempts to infuse depth into the mystery but is weighed down by the unmanageable weight of its own ambition.

A Flicker of Fear: Chhorii 2 Struggles to Ignite the Horror Spark

The highly anticipated follow-up of Chhorii (2021), Chhorii 2 had a lot to live up to. As its narrative had supernatural horror at its roots as well as some social commentary, the first was able to weave together the two without conflict and left audiences apprehensive and troubled by its sheer emotional power.

However, sadly, the second does not hold a candle in doing the same thing twice over. Now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Chhorii 2 attempts to match the dark magic of the original, but it is a much tamer, less immersive watch.

The story starts seven years later from the first one, with Sakshi (Nushrratt Bharuccha) again at the creepy sugarcane fields with her daughter, Ishani. Ishani suffers from a rare disease that makes her sunlight exposure deadly, a significant plot twist that brings the characters' struggle against the supernatural forces that endanger them together. 

As they return to the ominous location, they have to confront Daasi Maa (Soha Ali Khan), a supernatural antagonist with omnipotent powers that control the village and the malevolent spirits terrorizing it. 

The Strengths and Missed Opportunities

The strength of Chhorii 2 is its ability to create a creepy atmosphere.

The use of the sugarcane fields as a backdrop for the cinematography, combined with the remote, almost claustrophobic settings, contributes to a sense of isolation and impending doom that is unmistakable. But despite this atmospheric tension, the film falls into the trap of using too many horror cliche's without adding anything original to the mix. 

The scares are also too formulaic, anguishing the audience more than actually frightening them. What should be scary turns out to be a list of tired clichés, jump-scare moments that fail to evoke the same emotional response as the original film. 

Nushrratt Bharuccha, who comes back as Sakshi, acts as well as she could to express the desperation and terror of a mother willing to go to any lengths to rescue her child. Her character, however, is overshadowed by poor writing. Her journey, which had to be the heart of the movie, is not developed and her change is too slow to achieve the same level of connectivity we experienced in the first.

Soha Ali Khan as Daasi Maa is another highlight, bringing an unsettling calm to the film.

Yet even her authoritative presence cannot lift the material past the stations it occupies. The film attempts to explore deeper elements of family, sacrifice, and survival, but these emotional moments are disconnected from the horror present beneath the film. 

The supernatural element, while interesting, is handled in a way that there are plenty of unanswered questions and certain plot points left unresolved. 

What Keeps Chhorii 2 Afloat?

Its greatest flaw, maybe, is that it plays it too safe. The original was recalled because it was not afraid of what it did, combining horror with social commentary on rural superstition and patriarchy. The sequel, in comparison, comes off as a formulaic try at doing the same thing over again with a pinch of fresh supernatural tricks. 

It doesn't rock the boat, and rather than ratcheting up the horror, it goes for hackneyed territory, delivering nothing out of the ordinary or surprising. Furthermore, the pacing is inconsistent. The deliberate build-up in the first half of the film comes across as padding, whereas the hasty, climactic conclusion refuses to deliver a proper payoff. The plot meanders at times, and just as it seems the film is about to ratchet up the tension, it falters.

Conclusion

Chhorii 2 is a lost chance. Although it has every possibility of being a chilling supernatural thriller, it fails to deliver on the promise of its predecessor. With not enough scary moments, unevenly paced, and an undercooked emotional center, it becomes a forgettable horror movie instead of the edge-of-your-seat experience it aimed to be.

For those who are fans of the first, Chhorii 2 will provide some nostalgic moments, but for those expecting a scary and thrilling sequel, it might leave you disappointed. With a great cast and a creepy setting, the movie does manage to entertain sometimes, but in the end, it doesn't quite reach the scary heights that horror fans desire.

If you’re in the mood for a horror film with more substance and terror, Chhorii 2 might not be the sequel you’re looking for, but if you’re looking for a quick OTT binge, it may still scratch the itch — albeit in a more restrained way.