Reel Review: School Spirits Season 2 Just Got Spookier
Welcome back to Split River High! Your favorite ghost gang is officially back and ready to solve Maddie’s murder in School Spirits Season 2!
School Spirits stars Peyton List as Maddie, a teenage girl forced to investigate her own murder and uncover secrets of the afterlife she never thought possible. But everytime she seems closer to finding the truth, another deadly lie is revealed. After the success of the first season in 2023 (and its shocking ending), the show has had a much anticipated return.
Season 2 of School Spirits picks up right after season 1’s jaw-dropping cliffhanger. Maddie, with the help of Charley, Wally, and Rhonda, discovers that her body is being taken over by Janet, a girl who was murdered at Split River back in the 90’s. And wherever Janet goes, chaos seems to follow. As Janet begins to take over Maddie’s body, she also threatens to destroy everything in her path. From a haunted farmhouse to massive house fire, this season drastically elevates the story we were just getting used to.
This new season offers a dual storyline; which was completely necessary for the plot and very well executed. It was really interesting to see how certain details of Janet’s past parallel Maddie’s present-day story. Each transition, from the past to the present, was purposeful and helped move the story along.
We also get to dive deeper into the past of the spirit gang this season and see what their life was before their deaths. While each death has had an impact, Rhonda’s story is one that is both heartbreaking and emotional. Sarah Yarkin’s performance this season was equally as powerful and made this fictional character feel all-too relatable.
Meanwhile in the living world, Simon (who is still the only human who can see Maddie) manages to get Xavier, Nicole, and Claire on board for finding Janet and saving their friend. These characters, originally having rivalry between each other in the first season, finally start becoming a proper friendship group. Soon they realize, they are going to have to depend on each other. These actors have such a great bond behind the scenes, which translates well into the show.
From the first three episodes of season 2, it’s clear that Maddie’s mystery is far from over. This story is so complex, with many different layers, and is full of plot-twists you’ll never see coming (my jaw was literally on the floor). The diverse cast is so talented and it was apparent the actors gained more comfortability with their respective roles in this second season. Each performances felt authentic and compelling.
The chemistry between Petyon List, Nick Pugliese (Charley), Milo Manheim (Wally), and Sara Yarkin (Rhonda) make this squad feel like a true friendship; and from their TikToks it seems just as real off screen! Getting to see Simon and Xavier work together instead of against each other was also very refreshing this season. Kristian Ventura and Spencer MacPherson have great banter and are truly an iconic pair. We definitely need to see them together in something else!
Overall, the second season of School Spirits raises the story to new heights. Just when you think you get it, there is another plot-twist waiting to throw you off! From unexpected romances to a ton of new drama, we can’t wait to see how the rest of the story unravels in the second half of the season!
Episodes 1-3 of School Spirits season 2 are now available on Paramount+.
