After years of development limbo, DOOM 2 finally lands in 2025 with a vengeance. A relentless follow-up to the cult 2005 sci-fi horror film (and heavily inspired by the DOOM Eternal video game), this brutal, breakneck sequel is a return to form—and fury. Directed by David F. Sandberg (Shazam!, Lights Out) and starring Karl Urban, Ana de Armas, and Dave Bautista, the film throws subtlety out the airlock and gives fans exactly what they’ve been craving: demon-slaying carnage at maximum volume.
Set 15 years after the events of the first film, DOOM 2 picks up with the surviving soldier, John “Reaper” Grimm (Karl Urban), now in self-imposed exile on a remote moon colony. Haunted by what happened on Olduvai and the secret he carries about the Mars experiment, Reaper has spent years trying to bury the past.
But when the Union Aerospace Corporation (UAC) initiates a new energy experiment—code-named Project Lazarus—a dormant portal to the Hell dimension reawakens. What starts as a research anomaly turns into a full-scale demonic invasion on the colony world of Phobos Prime, and the only person who truly understands what’s coming… is Reaper.
Now forced back into the fight, Reaper teams up with Lt. Val Reyes (Ana de Armas), a hardened reconnaissance commander, and Sergeant Gage Holt (Dave Bautista), a blunt-force heavy weapons specialist. Together, they must navigate the ruined station, uncover the truth behind Lazarus, and stop the literal apocalypse from breaching into Earth space.
Where DOOM 2 really delivers is in its gloriously brutal action. The film leans into the video game legacy with intense gunplay, grotesque creature design, and levels of gore that would make the original Predator blush. From chainsaw duels in a reactor core to zero-gravity shootouts with flying Revenants, the film is a non-stop onslaught of visceral set pieces.
Reaper’s return is marked by upgraded tech and a deeper rage, while Lt. Reyes brings tactical edge and intelligence. Together, they’re the perfect team for what becomes a high-speed descent into madness—like Aliens meets The Exorcist.
Creature design deserves special mention. From twisted Hell Priests to skyscraper-sized Barons of Hell, each monster feels like it clawed its way out of a nightmare. Practical effects blend seamlessly with CGI to create truly terrifying encounters. And yes—there’s a BFG. And yes, it’s awesome.
DOOM 2 is more than just carnage—it also explores the emotional wreckage left behind by battle. Reaper is not the brash marine of old; he’s broken, bitter, and borderline suicidal. His relationship with Reyes adds layers to the story—not romantic, but built on mutual respect and shared loss.
The film also tackles corporate greed and the danger of scientific arrogance. The UAC’s obsession with power—specifically, Hell energy as a new energy source—mirrors real-world issues of exploitation and unchecked ambition. There’s a chilling moment when one executive argues, “We don’t have to believe in Hell. We just have to mine it.”
Director David F. Sandberg balances terror and adrenaline with impressive skill. The tone is dark and desperate, but not humorless. The cinematography captures both the claustrophobia of the facility and the surreal horror of the Hell dimension—blood rivers, burning skies, and twisted architecture straight from nightmares.
One standout sequence takes place in complete silence during a power outage, lit only by muzzle flashes and thermal scans. Another flips into first-person for a full five minutes of unbroken demon-slaying, in homage to the 2005 film and the DOOM games.
The pounding synth-metal score by Bear McCreary adds intensity and momentum, perfectly complementing the film’s rage-fueled atmosphere.
-
Karl Urban once again proves why he’s a fan-favorite for gritty roles. He delivers a raw, emotionally complex performance while still crushing demon skulls.
-
Ana de Armas impresses with calm authority and fiery combat scenes—her Reyes is smart, stoic, and deadly.
-
Dave Bautista steals several scenes with dry wit and sheer physicality—his one-man stand against a Hell Knight will have fans cheering.
Supporting performances from Stephen Lang as a morally bankrupt UAC exec and Jing Lusi as a conflicted scientist round out a strong cast.
DOOM 2 (2025) is exactly what fans of the franchise have been waiting for. It doesn’t apologize for its chaos—it thrives in it. A mix of sci-fi horror, explosive action, and thematic weight, it captures the spirit of the games while improving on the original film’s shortcomings.This isn’t just a gorefest—it’s a hell of a good movie.
