Watch Brahms: The Boy II

Brahms: The Boy II is a 2020 horror movie written by Stacey Menear and directed by William Brent Bell. The film is a sequel to the 2016 horror movie, The Boy. Brahms: The Boy II stars Katie Holmes, Christopher Convery, and Owain Yeoman in lead roles. The movie tells the story of a family who moves into a large, secluded estate in the English countryside after a home invasion leaves the mother, Liza (played by Holmes), traumatized. The family is trying to start fresh and cope with the emotional aftermath of the break-in. Liza's son, Jude (played by Convery), discovers a creepy, life-size porcelain doll in the woods near the property. He becomes attached to the doll and decides to name him Brahms. However, sinister events begin to occur after Brahms the doll enters the house.

The movie has a slow burn, with the tension gradually building up as the family realizes that there is something deeply unsettling about Brahms. The film explores themes of mental illness, grief, trauma, and the devastating impact of violence. Liza is dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and is struggling to connect with her son, who has become increasingly withdrawn and obsessed with the doll.

One of the strengths of the film is its atmosphere. The estate is a gorgeous, Gothic monstrosity with plenty of dark corners, hidden passageways, and creepy antiques. The production design is impressive, and the sound design sets the mood perfectly. The musical score, by Brett Detar, is particularly effective, using eerie melodies and discordant noises to unsettle the viewer.

The performances in the film are solid. Katie Holmes is particularly strong as Liza, portraying her character's descent into madness with sensitivity and nuance. Christopher Convery is convincing as Jude, capturing the mix of innocence and obsession that defines his character. Owain Yeoman, who plays Liza's husband, Sean, has less to do but manages to convey the character's concerned and confused nature.

The doll Brahms, designed by Matt Falletta, is the standout character of the film. The doll is not your typical Chucky or Annabelle-type creation. He's a vintage-looking porcelain doll with a pristine appearance, making him all the more unsettling when he starts moving around the house. Brahms the doll is a perfect blend of creepy and cute, which adds to the film's overall sense of unease.

There are moments of genuine horror in the film, though the scares are not consistent. Some scenes are genuinely chilling, while others fall flat. The movie could have been more tightly paced, as there are moments where the story feels like it's dragging. The third act of the film is where things get really strange, with a twist that will keep the viewer guessing until the end.

In conclusion, Brahms: The Boy II is a solid horror movie that works more as a psychological thriller than a conventional scare fest. The film explores grief, trauma, and the nature of evil in an interesting way, and the performances and atmosphere are strong. Though the pace can be slow at times, and the scares are not always consistent, the film is ultimately an engaging and unsettling watch. Fans of the original film, and horror in general, should definitely give this one a try.

Brahms: The Boy II is a 2020 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.7 and a MetaScore of 29.