Director Anthony Cousins (Frogman, Scare Package) is back with a new entry into his found footage, cryptid franchise, Frogman Returns. Written by Cousins and John Karsko (Frogman, Scare Package), the film continues following Dallas in the wake of the first film as he begins filming a new show searching for different mythic creatures. When he learns Amy has gone back to Loveland, Dallas quickly follows to find his friend and uncover more secrets about Frogman.

Frogman was the sleeper hit of 2023. It was the first found footage film to really explore a lesser-known cryptid, which allowed it to quickly gain a cult following. Fans were delighted to finally see a horror film that focused on something other than Sasquatch or Mothman. Since the first film’s release, Frogman has become much beloved by both horror and cryptid fans. After three years, he’s back. Frogman Returns kicks off not long after the first film ended. Dallas has become rather famous after releasing his documentary about the Frogman of Loveland, Ohio. In fact, it’s allowed him to host his own TV show, each episode following him as he searches for a different cryptid across the country. When he learns Amy has gone back to Loveland, Dallas quickly goes to find her with a camera person and his producer in tow. Back in the Frogman’s territory, the team encounters more than they bargained for as they uncover more secrets about everyone’s favorite cryptid. The wild journey these characters go on is just as tense as it is hilarious. Yet what many fans will especially enjoy is all the new cryptids that appear throughout the film, some much beloved and some lesser-known. It’s a suspenseful mystery, it’s a creature feature, and audiences will fall in love with these characters all over again.

There are two main reasons Frogman Returns is a great continuation of the story created by Cousins and Karsko. First, it tackles the fallout of the first film beautifully. Dallas was able to build a new and exciting career off the footage he got the first time he encountered Frogman, but there is still a lot of guilt over what happened to his friends. He hasn’t spoken to Amy since they left Loveland, but he still feels a sense of responsibility over what happens to her. It grounds the wild, fantastical tale by focusing on the human dynamics, at least in the beginning. Second, and perhaps the most important part of a successful sequel, Frogman Returns brilliantly expands the lore it created. Not only do we get to learn more about Frogman and his children, but we also get to learn more about other cryptids and where they come from. It expands the universe and easily paves the way for future entries into this beloved horror franchise.

As with the first film, Frogman Returns has some great performances. Nathan Tymoshuk (Frogman, Teacher’s Lounge) returns as Dallas. While Dallas is still determined to find other cryptids, he’s far more somber and cautious about it in the wake of the previous film. Tymoshuk does a great job of playing Dallas as the character fans know, but more mature and more protective of those around him. Chelsey Grant (Frogman, Old Wounds) also returns to play Amy. Amy is likely the most changed after the first film, once happy and free, but now she’s working through the trauma of her first encounter with Frogman. Grant was great in the first film, but she might be even better in this one as she goes between showing Amy broken and paranoid before showing her strength and determination. Two newcomers to the cast are Natalie Olivia Tran (The Sand Box) as Lucy, the show’s camera woman, and Alexis Allotta (Better Luck Than Chuck) as Bridget, the show’s producer. These two characters are opposites, Lucy being the optimistic cryptid lover and Bridget being the unfeeling producer who only cares about the success of her show. Both Tran and Allotta give memorable performances, making them great additions to the Frogman universe. While I won’t spoil it, audiences seeing the film should be sure to pay attention to the credits. They might recognize the name behind the voice of the titular Frogman.

This film is a found footage film, but much of what was filmed is higher quality than the previous film. This is not only because Frogman Returns likely had a higher budget, but also because Dallas has a full film crew to make his TV show. However, the producer still insists Dallas also film with the same type of camera as the first film, allowing for a combination of low and high-res shots intercut throughout the film. The highlight, of course, is the array of cryptids. While some are enhanced with CGI, they’re all practically made and look great. From the Fresno Nightcrawler to the Squank, audiences will fall in love with all the new creatures gracing the screen and be impressed with how fantastic they look on such a small budget. Not to mention, Frogman himself gets a bit of an update that looks absolutely fantastic. During the climax and final moments of the film, there are moments in which the audience will have to suspend belief. Not only because some of the footage shown would be almost impossible to recover, but also because the final moments seem to shift to a traditional narrative film format rather than found footage. This unfortunately can distract a bit from the most exciting moments of the film, but it’s also a common occurrence in found footage films so many audiences will likely have no problem overlooking it.

Frogman Returns is a near perfect sequel, bringing back beloved characters as it expands the cryptid lore. Cousins and Karsko crafted a fascinating continuation of the story, introducing fans to new and unexpected creatures, and Cousins did a beautiful job of bringing the story to the big screen. It’s a human story just as much as it is a creature feature, which means the performances from the likes of Tymoshuk and Grant are just as vital to the film’s success as the striking practical effects are. There’s humor, suspense, horror, and even a dash of sci-fi, meaning there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The film is a blast and will no doubt have fans hoping Cousins makes a third film following these characters and creatures. To make sure that happens, be sure to follow frogmanmovie on Instagram for release information and watch Frogman Returns as soon as it’s available in theaters or on streaming.

OVERALL RATING: 8/10