The Wrath of Becky Review (2023) Worth Watching?

It's about the teenage slayer back again to kill more fascists.

The Wrath of Becky was directed by Matt Angel (Hypnotic and The Open House) and Suzanne Coote (Hypnotic, The Open House) and stars Lulu Wilson (Becky, Annabelle: Creation, and Ouija: Origin of Evil), Seann William Scott (Bloodline, Final Destination), Denise Burse, Courtney Gains (Hellblazers, Await the Dawn, and Deadly Crush), Matt Angel (The Open House), Michael Sirow (The Midnight Man), Aaron Dalla Villa (The Scary of Sixty-First, Pledge), and John D. Hickman (The Fearway).

When we last saw the teenage vigilante "Becky," she had successfully taken down a group of neo-Nazis violently and calculatedly. The film, directed by Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion, showcased the potential for a teenage girl turning into a ruthless killer, with Lulu Wilson delivering an outstanding performance in the lead role. However, there was more ground to explore and more blood to spill.

Enter the sequel, "The Wrath of Becky," which arrives just three years after the original film's success. While it offers more of what fans may have craved, it must deliver something exceptional. The kills are still brutal and clever, and Wilson continues to impress, but the overall execution feels underdeveloped.

For those left wanting more after the first film, "The Wrath of Becky" may triple that desire. However, after over three hours of Becky-related content, the franchise is teasing progress but ultimately needs to catch up. It raises the question of whether audiences have the patience for such a wait, even if it means witnessing more violent deaths of unsavory characters.

"The Wrath of Becky," written and directed by Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote, feels heavily influenced by its predecessor, almost to the point of being derivative. The story picks up with Becky living at the country home of Elena, a kind woman who took her in after a chance encounter. While it may seem like Elena has her hidden agenda, the film doesn't explore this narrative thread fully. Instead, it focuses on the growing threat of The Noblemen, a group of proto-Proud Boys, and their impending visit to town, which sets the stage for Becky's next round of justified revenge.

As expected, Becky proves once again that she is a force to be reckoned with. The trio of antagonists she encounters are despicable, and while they eventually meet their demise, the element of surprise from the first film is somewhat diluted. Angel and Coote attempt to raise the stakes with Becky's kills and provide more depth to the new villains, particularly Seann William Scott as the leader of The Noblemen. However, despite our continued support for Becky and the satisfying demise of these unsavory characters, the film lacks energy and feels burdened by the label of "sequel."

Still, it's all more of the same, and as much as we root for Becky — and boy, do we, these Noblemen are beyond trash — the film lacks energy and carries a rote sense of "sequel!" that's impossible to shake. (Kill them, Becky, yeah, girl, do it up, get that bear trap set, woo!) It's numbing and all the worse when we consider how excellent Wilson is in the role and how much more terrifying these villains should feel in 2023.

Worth Watching?

It's a numbing experience, especially considering the outstanding performance by Wilson and the potential for a terrifying portrayal of the villains in the current social climate. Angel and Coote surprise viewers with the film's ending, hinting at a new future for Becky and the possibility of another sequel if audiences respond favorably. However, after enduring both "Becky" and "The Wrath of Becky," it's fair to expect a more satisfying treat if the franchise continues.

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