Last we left off, psychology student Claire Russell took a position as an Autumn camp counselor at St. Beatrice which concentrates on special needs children, orphans and other troubled kids. Upon arriving in this secluded area, Claire is completely isolated in a very unsettling environment: toys, drawings and other belongings are scattered around the property. Wandering through the sketchy bunkhouse and surrounding fields, she uncovers the looming despair carried through an unidentified force which abducted all the children many years prior. The chilling end to part one is watching Claire’s transformation, complete with the black eyes, embraced by the others who are now existing on another plateau of time.  

One year later, filmmaker Jozsef Gallai, known for his mastery of supernatural suspense, returns with the second installment of this chilling fantasy series, focusing on rescuing Claire and the children who were abducted decades ago. On this occasion, everything is more amplified, frightening, and powerful than before. In other words, it is eerie as fuck.

The universe holds infinite secrets. But when time is running out to find the answers, the left behind loved ones gear up to tackle the unworldly entity which has intruded upon their town…and their lives.  

Claire welcomes us back, dressed in the same cold-weather clothing and knit cap. She holds a hi-tech pyramid which commands rocks and boulders to float above the land while she manipulates them within sight. Speaking of sight, yes…Claire’s eyes are still black as night, and her smirk is scarier than a monster in the dark.  

During a rainy, gray day, Claire’s father saddles up with an aggressive crew of unofficial soldiers to locate his missing daughter once and for all. While Mr. Russell takes the intolerable approach, Claire’s former roommate Dee aligns with super-sleuth Emily to rummage through items found onsite after the young woman’s disappearance. Pulling out the same book of illustrations from the original film, the ladies are startled by the level of intensity as they turn each page. With triangles and now ovals that shape into “figure eights” (or infinity signs) they are getting closer to solving this would-be mathematical formula as to the unleashed, unknown influence which has inflicted itself upon the locals.

Children continue to disappear without a trace. Or sound. Loved ones who are actively searching on the terrain where the suspiciousness is rampant, are now encountering the black-eyed captives who have sharpened their Jedi skills with mind control, leading to horrific and evil deaths. Yet, some are being spared through the lost words of deceased camp owner, Donahue (more amazingness from Bill Oberst Jr.): “Follow the lines, not the square. Beware.”

Making references to “them” being close to finding the gateway, a consulted doctor (played marvelously by Sandy Johnson) determines that the ovals are constant, and figures are all mirror images of each other. All the Black-Eyed individuals can now sense intentions. If you have no bad intentions, you will not be harmed. This becomes semi-consequential to understanding the indoctrination of Claire – the only one who can put everything into place. What exactly does that entail? I’m not exactly sure. Be prepared for the next chapter (Part 3) in which I expect a final showdown between the creepy kids, the worrisome folks seeking the truth and those who are trying desperately to hide it.