Manos Returns (2018) User Reviews

Not a real movie

[eschase · 1/10 · 21 July 2020]

This is a completely amateur production. Literally. Nobody involved in the process of making this movie has any idea how to act or direct. That's fair, in a sense, since nobody in the original did either, but that does not justify this movies existence

Yes, there are some references to the original that made me laugh, but every single aspect of this movie is bad. It's free on prime, but I feel horribly sorry for anybody who actually spent money on the Kickstarter.

It's awful, but what can you expect? I only watched it because I was astonished to see that it actually existed. And to the other reviewer who said this took the concept of the original and flushed it out: you're joking, right? This is the exact same concept as the original, but with worse acting (yes, I know), and a few extra plot points that also don't go anywhere.

The only reason to watch this movie is to say you did, but why would you want to? If you read this and are going to watch it anyway; respect. I made the same mistake.

WARNING: DO NOT WATCH IF YOU ARE EASILY BORED

[mrdiptero · 1/10 · 3 July 2019]

This movie put me to sleep in a matter of minutes. The plot is bland and the same as the first Manos, the writing is below mediocre and the acting is terrible. The movie cuts are slow and boring and half the characters seem just as clueless as the writers. I will admit however, this one was better than the first which isn't saying much. What the writer's main goal here is beyond me but I will say this: if your value your time do not waste it on this movie.

Falls Into the "Sequel-Knowing It's Bad" Pit

[adionisos · 1/10 · 2 September 2020]

Watched this last night finally. They tried way too hard to replicate everything that gave the original its charm. Everything bad felt way too forced, like they were aiming for it to be bad. The original was a guy who wanted to make a movie but ended up bombing in every way. This one is just boring and it feels more like a Sharknado sequel.

"You Can't Stay Here! Debbie And The Master Wouldn't Approve!'...

[azathothpwiggins · 25 May 2020]

On their way to a "luxury resort" for their vacation, four friends wind up at an innocent-looking, yet sinister abode. Intentional horror and unintentional humor ensue (and vice versa).

MANOS RETURNS ends decades of waiting for followers of the original film, while helping to get us caught up with the main characters. Debbie (Jackey Neyman Jones) is all grown up now, and filled with demonic darkness. The Master (Tom Neyman) remains the pinnacle of pure eeevil personified. Yes, he's rockin' the hand-robe and glaring into our very souls. Torgo (Steven Shields) still wobbles along like the malevolent, bow-legged menace he is, wearing his over-sized jacket, and a mattress stuffed into each pant leg. The Brides are back as well. Their odd nightwear has been updated a bit, and they giggle a lot more. They also eat bugs.

Recapturing the magic of the first film is no small task, but this movie has done it! It's a treat to see Ms. Neyman Jones and Mr. Neyman reprising their infamous roles, and Diane Adelson returning as Margaret / Maggie, Debbie's harried mum! And, for reasons unknown, Don Dohler regular, George Stover is in this movie reading an invisible magazine!

Watch this right this minute!...

Painful

[MagisterMatt · 1/10 · 19 August 2022]

This is one of the "self aware" movies that tries to come across as "tongue-in-cheek" as a nod to the source material. Beyond callbacks to the original, this movie does not provide much. Shout out to the late Tom Neyman.

It knows its bad...

[olson-64848 · 1/10 · 14 December 2022]

This is one of of those films, like the second BirdDemic, that knows that the reason the first film got any acclaim was because of how unintentionally bad it was. Where the first film got a cult following because it was bad, but you know the director was trying the first time, but just delivered something terrible, but so funny it found a cult following. This film tries to be bad/funny and doesn't succeed. Because it tries. It tries to be bad and funny and incoherent. That isn't what made the original the cult film what it is. Being aware of the terribleness is cool. Trying to replicate that into a purposefully funny and bad film will not get you that acclaim again in anyway. It just delivers a boring slog of a retread without any self awareness or humor. The more it tries to replicate and bring humor to it, the worse it got. It would have been better if it found a way to play the original plot totally straight and treated this like a real horror sequel. The comedy would have come from that. Treat this like a real sequel to a 'real' horror film and give us some horror. The comedy would have written itself by just doing that, and the horror moments would have hit hard. Instead it's just a bad attempt to make a bad movie to capitalize on the cult following of the original. It could have been something, but the f'd it up.

Should not have been made

[Freethinker_Atheist · 1/10 · 29 December 2023]

There is a reason why the original Manos is loved by so many people: it's so bad it's fun. The original Manos is a movie by a man who tried his best to make a good movie, but had zero talent, and, thus, failed miserably. This is something that cannot be copied, or intentionally made. So, any remake of or sequel to such a movie will not have the same charm and appeal as the original. The original Manos is bad, yet never boring. It's VERY entertaining, because, in sheer disbelief, the viewer wonders how on Earth it's possible that a movie ends up becoming that bad! There is something cute about that. The original Manos really is an unintentional piece of art! Not so with Manos Returns. It's just plain bad, that is, boring. I praise the effort of these people for trying to, somehow, revive Manos. Maybe it's a tribute. I feel a bit sorry that I am writing a negative review, but I'm just being honest. I think some things should be left untouched. Manos the Hands of Fate is one of them.

Painfully bad

[slautert-45125 · 1/10 · 9 February 2023]

The original Manos is widely considered as one of the worst movies of all time. Its famous only because of the creative minds at Mystery Science Theater 3000. But not even those comedic geniuses could make this turkey watchable.

The acting, if one could call at that, it's so amateurish that it's beyond cringe worthy. The three original members of the original Manos who are also in this sequel should be given medals for having to go go through something like this twice.

I actually felt sorry for those people that had to work in this thing, but not as sorry as I was for myself because I wasted over an hour of my life watching this dreck. Don't bother.

Great sequel!

[catudor-68159 · 10/10 · 11 May 2022]

Generally a sequel made this long after the original is almost guaranteed to fail. This movie was a loving tribute to the original while also making this their own. Tonjia Atomic does a great job directing! Jackey Neyman Jones reprised her role as the master's daughter and easily steals the show! This movie was well worth the wait. Great job all around!!!

A Fun Sequel to an Infamous Film

[moviemaniacd · 9/10 · 20 August 2019]

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Not only was it fun to see a few original cast members make an appearance in the film but it really captured the spirit of the original. Those who say it was boring are missing the charm as well as forgetting the original. The film is very much aware of what type of movie it is and plays to its strengths. If you have seen the original, you know Torgo is one of the more memorable characters. The same goes for Steven Shields version of the character. He really captured the essence of the original Torgo and yet gave it his own spin. While some of the scenes and situations may feel similar to the original Manos, I think there is enough new story elements introduced that make Manos Returns its own film. Same could be said about some of the scenes in other horror film sequels feeling the same as the original and people still enjoyed them. Yes this film, like its predecessor was made on a micro budget. Therefore you do run into some of the same aesthetics as a micro budget film. This may put people off to it. But if you enjoyed the original at all then this is a must see sequel. It is not going to be for everyone but it is a sequel I know The Master would approve. If you are wondering, yes he is in it too. :D

An instant cult classic!!

[javoegele · 10/10 · 18 August 2019]

I had the very special privilege of watching this film at its Seattle Crypticon premiere a year plus a few months ago. The first Manos is A fun "it's so bad it's good film" but this one is a straight up "its so good it's great" film. It takes the nugget of a good story from the first film and expands that into a really cool premise. Tonjia Atomic nails the direction here combining the schlocky B movie moments of the first film with some incredibly beautiful and haunting visuals. If u enjoy strong characters, high art visuals and haunting imagery this film is for you. I highly recommend it! As soon as it's released on blu Ray I'm getting a copy.