Hayride 2 (2016), directed by Terron R. Parsons, is a direct sequel to the 2012 horror film Hayride, continuing the story of the small-town terror that ensues after a terrifying experience at a haunted hayride attraction. Building on the violent and chaotic atmosphere of the first film, Hayride 2 aims to deliver more slasher horror, with a focus on brutal kills and a darker, more sinister storyline. While it manages to deliver some gore and suspense, the film ultimately struggles with uneven pacing, familiar horror tropes, and underdeveloped characters.

The plot picks up where the original Hayride left off, with the survivors of the haunted hayride, led by protagonist Amanda (played by Natalie Victoria), dealing with the aftermath of the nightmarish events they endured. They are forced to face the terrifying threats that still lurk in their town, particularly the mysterious killer, known as “The Hayride Killer,” who is still on the loose and continues to leave a trail of destruction. With the town’s safety at risk, Amanda and a group of others are thrust into a desperate situation, where survival is the ultimate goal as the killer methodically hunts them down.

At its core, Hayride 2 is a straightforward slasher film that offers an experience largely based on tension, violence, and bloodshed. The primary narrative revolves around the survivors trying to avoid being caught by the killer while grappling with their fears and traumas from the first film. The film continues the theme of psychological horror, playing on the trauma the characters have experienced while being pursued by a seemingly unstoppable force. However, it doesn’t delve deeply into the emotional or psychological states of its protagonists, leaving them as one-dimensional figures who often make poor decisions to advance the plot.