Jessica Rothe stars in a scene from the movie "Happy Death Day 2U." The Catholic News Service classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. (CNS/Universal)

By Catholic News Service

A science experiment gone awry once again traps the college student protagonist (Jessica Rothe) of the 2017 original in a time warp, dooming her to relive her birthday, and her murder at the hands of a masked killer during it, over and over again until she, her boyfriend (Israel Broussard) and his roommate (Phi Vu), the creator of the device that caused the problem, can figure out how to break the cycle.

A confusing plot involving parallel universes, an assumption that viewers remember in detail the relationships of the first film and an effort to have the picture function simultaneously as a slasher flick, a comedy and a message-bearing emotional drama keep writer and returning director Christopher Landon’s follow-up off kilter. Though the basic values are sound, gory moments and some vulgar content restrict the movie’s appeal still further.

Scenes of bloody violence, suicide, an adultery theme, cohabitation, mature references, including to homosexuality, a couple of profanities and a few mild oaths, at least one rough and numerous crude terms, obscene gestures. The Catholic News Service classification is L — limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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