One of my all time favorites.

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

About a third of the way into this I was thinking it a somewhat Cormac McCarthy-esque type of film, only without the good writing. But, still, interesting in a fashion. Then it falls off the rails. Sure, life was brutal for women in the day, but none of the female characters here helped themselves at all, only made the absolute worst decisions at the worst times. Also, most men are horrible jerks or criminals, and the very few good men are dumb as oxen. Finally, why don't film characters ever realize that guns are NOT knives? You don't have to get so close to someone as to touch them--or allow them to take your gun and kill you with it. Oh, that's right: BAD WRITING! Stand back a few feet and just pull the trigger WITHOUT the grandstanding speech. Sheesh! That's where I booked out, end of third act. Too late for me; save yourselves, and take a pass.

The story is harrowing, thought-provoking and dark.Dakota Fanning played an exceptional part, Guy Pierce definitely brought an evil so gross I felt uncomfortable in my stomach at times.To the reviewers that could not believe he could be where she was/find her, remember she has distinctive features I.e two moles on the back of her neck. A man, hell-bent on finding and torturing his daughter shows how compelled he is to complete his goal. Pushed to the brink of desperation, Liz/Joanna forfeits her old life/self and cuts out her own tongue in the hope she would be somewhat unrecognisable and create a new life.I also find the cutting out the tongue quite symbolic, after witnessing and enduring the many horrors of her upbringing, she possibly vowed never to speak of them? That if she survived to old age, that life would die with her? Physically, nothing stopped the reverend and nothing and nobody got in his way until he put Liz's/Joanna's daughter in danger. But be warned, do not mess with a mother and her child! A mother's bond with her child cannot be easily broken and I think that reflects in the film.Religion played a huge part, although always in the background, the dark side of convincing one's self of behaviour and attitude that allows them to essentially make up their own rules and do whatever they want, so long as they pray or pay penance (with self harm), with men being above all else and only answerable to 'God'. Not for the faint-hearted, but eye-opening all the same.

This is one of the most sickening, disgusting movies I have ever seen in my life. I couldn't even get half way through the movie without getting sick to my stomach. Very disappointed. The actors were good, but the story line is disturbing.

My god this is becoming a serious problem on this site. Whether they are religious or just plain narrow minded (or both) i can only assume. Maybe you were expecting a PG drama? Do a tiny google search for crying out loud. This a slow thriller. It starts off slowly, and doesn't tell you everything until about half way through. Brilliant performance by Guy Pearce. Seriously some of his best ever work. This is a sick, violent & very well made R rated thriller. Once again i must implore among the people reading these reviews to not pay attention to religious fanatics down voting this movie. Oh no, there's a crazy perverted priest. Not a priest.. History is full of religious wars, priests preying on the weak and innocent. If there was no religion, the world would be a far, far better place in my opinion. All it does is divide people and create war. Sure, i know plenty of fantastic people who are religious. But like any race/religion we all have a mix of beautiful & ugly people. Back to the movie.. For the first 20-30mins you will be saying to yourself "What the **** is going on?" But trust me, you will be rewarded. Half way through, the movie delves into the past and explains everything. A very, very solid & savage thriller. My favorite type of movie :)As per usual on my reviews. Please people, do some homework. I don't enjoy cheesy romance movies, but if i do watch one by accident i don't review it like a piece of garbage. For the genre i'm sure those movies were quite good, even great.. Not liking a genre gives you no right to vote/review it. As your opinion is tainted before you even watch it.Dark, gripping, violent, sick & i loved every minute of it.