Drag Me to Hell 2 (2025) marks the long-awaited return to one of modern horror’s most wickedly fun and terrifying universes. A sequel to Sam Raimi’s cult classic Drag Me to Hell (2009), this new installment resurrects the gypsy curse, the Lamia demon, and the relentless supernatural torment that made the original film both horrifying and darkly humorous. Directed again by Sam Raimi and co-written with his brother Ivan Raimi, Drag Me to Hell 2 proves that some evil forces don’t stay buried—and revenge from beyond the grave is just as horrifying the second time around.
Set more than a decade after the tragic end of Christine Brown (played by Alison Lohman in the original), the sequel centers on a new protagonist: Emma Hale (Florence Pugh), a skeptical journalist assigned to investigate the mysterious and unsolved case of Christine’s death. Drawn into the story by a series of strange and violent occurrences, Emma begins to unravel the truth behind the ancient curse and the demon known as the Lamia, which continues to plague those who are marked by guilt, greed, or spiritual weakness.
As Emma digs deeper into Christine’s past, she discovers that the cursed button Christine once tried to dispose of was never truly destroyed. When Emma unknowingly comes into possession of the cursed object during her investigation, the Lamia marks her for torment. What follows is a nightmarish journey of hallucinations, demonic encounters, and brutal moral dilemmas that echo the original’s signature style: a blend of visceral horror, slapstick terror, and existential dread.
Sam Raimi doesn’t hold back. Fans of his Evil Dead series and the first Drag Me to Hell will find the same outrageous camera work, grotesque visual effects, and unexpected comedic beats that walk the line between terror and absurdity. In true Raimi fashion, the sequel once again explores the consequences of selfish choices, the price of redemption, and the horrifying ambiguity of “deserving” punishment.
Florence Pugh’s performance brings emotional depth to the chaos, portraying Emma as a rational modern woman slowly unraveling under the weight of supernatural forces she refuses to believe in—until it’s far too late. The supporting cast includes Bruce Campbell in a surprise cameo as a mysterious occultist who may hold the key to surviving the Lamia’s wrath. There’s also a new Romani character, played by Shohreh Aghdashloo, who adds depth and dignity to a cultural element that was previously handled with controversy.
Visually, Drag Me to Hell 2 is both a throwback and an upgrade. It retains Raimi’s practical effects and signature style while incorporating modern VFX in service of the story rather than spectacle. The result is a film that feels both nostalgic and fresh—a worthy sequel that amplifies the original’s themes while crafting a terrifying narrative of its own.
In the end, Drag Me to Hell 2 is a hellish rollercoaster of horror and morality. It reminds us that the demons we unleash—through guilt, cruelty, or cowardice—are never far behind. And when they come to collect, there may be no second chances.
