Do you remember “Becky” (2020), the film featuring a brutal little girl seeking vengeance for her father’s death? The sequel, “Wrath of Becky,” is now available on the Amazon Prime platform, with Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote directing. Lulu Wilson continues to portray the teenage star, alongside new additions to the cast such as Sean William Scott, Denise Burse, Jill Larson, and Kate Siegel. The question arises: will the sequel be as brutal as its predecessor?
Set two years after the violent events involving Becky (Wilson), the protagonist has repeatedly run away from her foster parents. She and her dog, Diego, find refuge in the home of a lonely older woman named Elena (Burse). Becky now works at a coffee shop, where one day, three men harass her. In retaliation, Becky confronts them. The situation escalates when the men follow her home, accidentally killing Elena and taking her dog. Seeking revenge, Becky discovers that the three men are part of a radical conspiracy led by a former military man named Darryl (Scott).
“Wrath of Becky” begins with a unique title sequence featuring sketches, providing a brief exposition of the girl’s adventures before living with Elena. While the premise suggests more brutal actions than before, the film falls short of expectations. The plot takes an unexpected turn when the three men, who initially seemed like random harassers, become entangled in a radical conspiracy planning an uprising in the city. This script choice is a significant error, introducing an element that feels disconnected and absurd.
The trademark brutal action lacks the intensity seen in the first film. The sadistic actions, which were a highlight, now feel “soft” and fail to evoke the same gripping tension. Unlike the first installment, where the threat felt real, now the only threat is Becky herself. The weak charisma of the antagonist, portrayed by Sean William Scott, adds to the film’s overall lackluster feel. In contrast to the first film’s antagonist, played by Kevin James, whose cold and harsh demeanor conveyed a palpable sense of menace, Scott’s character falls short.
“Wrath of Becky” still has potential through the brutal figure of its protagonist. However, in terms of action and character portrayal, this second installment feels considerably softer. Lulu Wilson’s charm, once a strong point, now presents her as a mentally ill teenage girl rather than someone dealing with trauma. While the story’s potential for development remains interesting, the film may struggle to stand out among other tough female-led series already saturating the market. The appeal of the brutal little girl figure, which made the series interesting and fresh, seems somewhat diminished in this sequel.
