The Strangers: Chapter 2 Star Madelaine Petsch Promises They Won’t Ruin the Titular Villains

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Although the first film, *The Strangers: Chapter 1*, wasn’t a hit with audiences, Lionsgate and the filmmakers took the feedback to heart and made significant changes. The result is *Chapter 2*, which continues the story of Maya (played by Madelaine Petsch). After surviving the terrifying events of the first movie, Maya is now on the run, trying to stay alive in a town where she can’t trust a soul.

A common concern among fans about the recent films is how much they’ll reveal about the villains’ origins-something the latest installment, *Chapter 2*, does explore. Many believe the villains are most frightening when their pasts remain a mystery.

Madelaine Petsch, who stars in *The Strangers: Chapter 2*, recently spoke with Russ Milheim of TopMob on the Los Angeles red carpet. She assured fans she’ll do everything she can to maintain the frightening atmosphere of *The Strangers* franchise, stating, “I promise you I will never ruin what makes The Strangers scary.”

I absolutely promise we won’t ruin what makes ‘The Strangers’ frightening – the mystery behind *why* the attackers do what they do. We’re just offering a glimpse behind the scenes and exploring those characters a little. As a huge fan of the original 2008 film – I think it’s perfect – I wouldn’t let that happen, and neither would our producer, Courtney Solomon. We’re just lifting the curtain slightly; we won’t be providing any definitive answers.

Madelaine Petsch, along with other cast and crew members, discussed how the theme of paranoia is key to the film *Chapter 2*. TopMob interviewed a talented group of people involved in the movie, including Petsch (who plays Maya), director Renny Harlin, Brook Lena Johnson (Nurse Danica), Pablo Benavides Sandstrom (Neil), Sara Freedland (Annie), producer Rafella Biscayn, and co-writer Alan Freedman.

The Strangers: Chapter 2 debuts in theaters on September 26, 2025.

The Strangers: Chapter 2 Star Madelaine Petsch Join the Cast and Filmmakers to Explain the Film’s Paranoia

The Strangers: Chapter 2 Features Maya “Question[ing] Her Reality 24/7.”

  • TopMob: “Paranoia is such a big part of these films, but it seems central to [Chapter 2] in a way that we haven’t seen yet. How does paranoia really make this second film stick out as a unique entry in the trilogy?”

Madelaine Petsch explains that the movie shows Maya genuinely struggling to understand and accept her situation. She believes it’s realistic because no one would quickly adjust to such unbelievable circumstances. What she loves about the second movie is that it portrays Maya as a real person constantly questioning what’s happening, which is exactly how Petsch herself would react.

Renny Harlin explained that he felt some frustration with the first film. While it was a good remake of the original, it was necessary to establish the groundwork for the larger, four-and-a-half-hour story they wanted to tell.

I’ve always had a soft spot for the second movie, actually. It was great to move the action outside the house and expand the scope to an entire town. It felt like a survival story in the wilderness, a bit like the original ‘Rambo’ film.

I really embraced and built up the character’s paranoia, to the point where they couldn’t trust anyone or feel safe anywhere-anyone they met could be the mysterious Stranger. I hoped this would resonate with the audience and make them question even those closest to them.

Okay, so the first movie really felt like a solid setup – a fresh take on a story we already knew and loved, and I was especially intrigued by how they were handling the character of Madeleine. But the second film? It throws her into this totally unfamiliar city, and she’s stranded. It’s a much more suspenseful situation because she’s desperately trying to figure out who she can actually rely on, and honestly, that’s what made it really gripping for me.

Being in a new place can be unsettling, making you wonder who you can trust. This character feels trapped and that adds to her anxiety, especially when it hits unexpectedly. While the first movie let the situation unfold naturally, now she’s right in the middle of it and needs to find a way to cope and move forward.

Pablo Benavides Sandstrom points out that what’s unsettling – or perhaps even brilliant – about these kinds of movies is how realistic they are. It’s a scenario that could easily happen to anyone: you’re at home, and suddenly, strangers in masks appear. There’s nothing fantastical about that situation.

Sara Freedland believes that horror films are resonating with audiences right now because many people feel like their privacy is being violated, and paranoia is a common emotion. She thinks this particular film excels at being unpredictable, and her hope is that viewers will be genuinely frightened, surprised, and left wanting to see more.

I really love this film! It delves deeply into Maya’s mind, especially her paranoia. It feels less like a typical horror movie and more like a psychological thriller – it’s genuinely scary because it focuses on realistic survival. I’m excited for audiences to experience something fresh and unique, as this is a completely new take on the story.

Alan Freedman believes the key to these movies is creating a character the audience can really connect with. He wants viewers to put themselves in the character’s shoes and wonder how *they* would react in those situations, making it a truly engaging experience. That was a major inspiration for writing the story.

When approaching the story, I always asked myself, ‘If I were in this character’s situation, what would I do?’ I considered realistic options, and focused on figuring out who the character could rely on and who they couldn’t. That question of trust and practical action was central to the entire process.

All of the red carpet interviews can be viewed below:

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2025-09-18 03:39