After hitting VOD and select theaters earlier this year, the long-awaited sequel to Wolf Creek finally arrives on DVD and Blu-ray next week. John already wrote a great review that echoes my sentiments on the film, but I’d like to supplement it with 5 reasons to watch Wolf Creek 2.

1. Mick is back – and meaner than ever!

While it wasn’t until halfway through the original film that shit hit the fan, Wolf Creek 2’s action begins with the opening scene. The audience is already familiar with Mick Taylor, the psychotic killer of the Australian outback played by John Jarratt, so there’s no reason to pretend like we don’t know his modus operandi.

Mick is even more evil in the sequel. The kills and torture sequences are more sadistic, bloody and brutal than before. There’s full-body dismemberment and the most intense version of 20 Questions you’ll ever see, to name a few.

2. It offers a fresh take on a familiar situation.

Crafting a good sequel is no easy task. It should retain the feel of the original while bringing something new to the table. Too often, however, sequels are near-copies of their predecessors.The sequel to Hostel (to which Wolf Creek received frequent comparisons upon its initial release), for example, was essentially the same plot as the first with a different set of characters.

While Wolf Creek 2’s plot remains true to the original, the approach is decidedly different. Mick plays a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse with his victim, reminiscent of The Hitcher. With the ancillary characters, Wolf Creek 2 feels like a slasher, as the is focus on Mick and how his victims will meet their gory demise. There’s even a pinch of pitch-black humor. On the other hand, the sequel still maintains the strong protagonists and the tense torture scenes.

3. It’s on par with the original.

The first Wolf Creek still holds up well (dated only by the humorously large camcorder), in my opinion. But, more often than not, sequels lead to disappoint, especially after so much time; more than 8 years passed between the premieres of each film.

The integrity remains the same on Wolf Creek 2, however. I think a large part of the quality control can be attributed to writer-director Greg Mclean returning (who, this time, co-wrote the script with Aaron Sterns). His passion for the project oozes onto the screen, delivering a sequel that is equally as enjoyable as – and, in many respects, better than – the original.

4. Everything is bigger.

A sequel to Wolf Creek could have easily been churned out on a low budget and sent direct to video to appease (and cash in on) fans. Instead, Wolf Creek 2’s budget has multiplied. The original was made for around $1 million, while the sequel was produced for an estimated $7.2 million.

That money can definitely be seen on the screen, as everything is amplified. Most noticeably, there’s a lot more action – including some cool car crashes, explosions, fire, guns, knives and even a horse! The bigger budget allows for more locations and actors. Of course, the body count is higher and the blood is more plentiful as well.

5. It has franchise potential.

To build a successful horror franchise, you need an iconic character – and Mick fits the bill. He’s already a cult favorite, but he could join the ranks of recognizable genre icons for decades to come, alongside such new-school characters as Saw’s Jigsaw and Hatchet’s Victor Crowley.

Wolf Creek 2 proves that the original was not a fluke. It’s safe to say that if you enjoyed the first, you’ll also like the sequel. As such, the series has the potential to carry on with a long-running franchise. As long as Mclean and company maintain the quality and Jarratt is willing to reprise his role, the fans – myself include – will continue to flock to the films. Hopefully we don’t have to wait as long for the next installment!