Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Backdraft 2

Backdraft 2 (also known as Backdraft II) is a 2019 American action thriller film directed by Gonzalo López-Gallego and written by , serving as a to the 1991 film . Released on May 14, 2019, by , the movie continues the story within the , focusing on themes of , , and family legacy in . The plot centers on Sean McCaffrey (played by Joe Anderson), a fire investigator and son of a firefighter killed in the line of duty, who blames his uncle Brian McCaffrey (, reprising his role from the original) for the tragedy. To uncover a conspiracy involving deadly s used as distractions by an international arms dealer, Sean recruits the imprisoned arsonist Ronald Bartel (, also returning) to help navigate a web of , , and explosive threats. Produced by 1440 Productions in association with Universal 1440 Entertainment, the film features returning cast members alongside new additions like Alisha Bailey as Maggie Rening, Sean's partner, and as Captain White, emphasizing high-stakes fire sequences and investigative drama. It received mixed reviews, with a 4.9/10 rating on from over 2,600 users and a 40% approval score on based on limited critic consensus, often noted for lacking the original's intensity despite its practical fire effects.

Background and Development

Connection to Original Film

Backdraft (1991), directed by , follows the McCaffrey brothers—veteran firefighter Lieutenant Stephen "Bull" McCaffrey, portrayed by , and his younger sibling Brian McCaffrey, played by —as they navigate family tensions and professional hazards in the . Their father perished in a blaze during their childhood, fueling a lifelong rivalry that intensifies when Brian rejoins the force after a hiatus. The narrative intertwines high-stakes sequences with an investigation into a cunning ist targeting city officials, highlighting the perilous nature of fire suppression and forensic arson analysis. Backdraft 2 (2019) continues the franchise by centering on Sean McCaffrey, the grown son of the deceased Stephen McCaffrey, enacted by Joe Anderson, who serves as a skilled investigator for the . The story brings back Brian McCaffrey, now in a supervisory role, with reprising the character to mentor his nephew amid new threats involving incendiary crimes. This generational shift maintains the familial legacy of while exploring unresolved grief from the original events. The sequel shares key creative personnel with its predecessor, including screenwriter , who originated the Backdraft concept as a former , and producer , whose company contributed to the 1991 production. , co-founded by and and responsible for the original film, also participated in Backdraft 2's development. These connections underscore an effort to honor the established universe despite the absence of Howard as director. Announced in March 2018, Backdraft 2 emerged as a modest project aimed at leveraging the original's enduring appeal among enthusiasts and fans, without pursuing a theatrical revival. While the achieved commercial success with a worldwide of $152 million against a $40 million , sustained for a high-profile sequel had diminished over the decades, leading to opt for a lower-scale format under Gonzalo López-Gallego. This approach allowed for a continuation of the McCaffrey saga in a more contained production, distinct from the original's expansive cinematic release.

Script and Planning

Gregory Widen, who penned the original 1991 screenplay for , returned to write the script for Backdraft 2, introducing a new storyline centered on an intertwined with an arms dealer using deadly fires as distractions, while preserving the franchise's core themes of family legacy and the emotional toll of firefighting. This narrative evolution shifted the focus to a younger generation of the McCaffrey family, particularly Sean McCaffrey, son of the late Stephen "Bull" McCaffrey, allowing the sequel to explore intergenerational dynamics without directly replicating the original's events. The project originated under in the mid-2010s, with development accelerating around 2017–2018 as producers sought to capitalize on the original film's enduring popularity while navigating budget limitations that ultimately steered it toward a release by . Key planning decisions included incorporating contemporary elements such as terrorism-inspired tactics and international arms dealing to modernize the investigative motif, ensuring the story felt relevant in a era without overshadowing the personal stakes of the world. These choices were shaped by the need for a contained scale, prioritizing character-driven drama over expansive action sequences to align with the modest production resources. Producer , who had collaborated on the original film, played a pivotal role in the planning phase by facilitating the return of key cast members like as Brian McCaffrey and as Ronald Bartel, while coordinating with to secure distribution as a home media exclusive. This alignment helped maintain continuity with the franchise's roots amid logistical constraints. Among the challenges in was reconciling the sequel's with the original's tragic conclusion, where several characters perished, including Stephen McCaffrey; planners focused on a new generation to honor the deceased while enabling ongoing family legacy exploration and potential future installments. This approach addressed the inherent difficulties of sequelizing a story with fatal resolutions, emphasizing emotional resonance over strict continuity to sustain the McCaffrey lineage's thematic weight.

Filmmaking

Director and Crew

Gonzalo López-Gallego served as the director of Backdraft 2, bringing his experience in genre filmmaking to the project. A director born in 1973, López-Gallego is best known for helming action-s and horror films such as (2011), a found-footage sci-fi , and (2013), which blends mystery and survival elements. His approach to Backdraft 2 emphasized tense investigative sequences amid fire hazards, drawing on his prior work with confined, high-stakes environments to heighten the film's suspense. Cinematographer José David Montero contributed to the film's visual style, capturing the firefighting action with a digital aesthetic that aimed for realism on a constrained scale. Montero, whose credits include the Hell Fest (2018), focused on dynamic shots of flames and urban settings to evoke the original 's intensity while adapting to the sequel's more intimate production. His work utilized and practical setups for interior fire scenes, though budget limitations led to noticeable digital enhancements in larger blazes. López-Gallego also handled editing duties, pacing the action sequences to maintain momentum through quick cuts during investigations and chases. For the score, composer Randy Edelman delivered a tense, orchestral soundtrack that echoed Hans Zimmer's original Backdraft themes with pulsating rhythms and dramatic swells, supporting the film's blend of procedural drama and thriller elements; the full score was released in 2019. Edelman's long career in action scores, including Gettysburg (1993) and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008), informed his contributions here. The production was led by companies including Imagine Entertainment, Raffaella Productions, uMedia, and Universal 1440 Entertainment (a low-budget arm of Universal Pictures), with additional support from Title Media and 1440 Productions UK. This international collaboration, involving Belgian firms like uMedia and Nexus Factory, facilitated co-financing to control expenses on the direct-to-video release. Crew choices reflected the modest budget, prioritizing versatile talents like López-Gallego's dual directing-editing role and practical fire setups over elaborate CGI, though reviews noted reliance on digital effects for some sequences to achieve the desired scale.

Principal Photography

Principal photography for Backdraft 2 began in April 2018 and took place primarily in and , Ontario, Canada, with supplementary shoots in , Illinois, to portray the story's setting while minimizing expenses on this production. Filmmakers utilized industrial facilities and soundstages in , such as those at Castel Film Studios in , to stage intense fire scenes, while provided urban environments for procedural sequences and locations added authenticity to depictions. Green-screen stages supported the creation of explosive action moments, later enhanced in . The production encountered challenges in safely executing real stunts on a reduced budget and smaller crew, requiring strict adherence to safety protocols informed by the original film's consultants to ensure realistic portrayals amid past criticisms of fire effects accuracy. Weather conditions occasionally delayed outdoor shoots in and . achieved dynamic, high-contrast imagery of flames and smoke. for key explosive elements, such as missile strikes and detonations, were handled in . Shooting concluded efficiently, enabling the final 101-minute runtime.

Content and Cast

Plot Summary

The film opens with arson investigator Sean McCaffrey, the son of the late firefighter Stephen McCaffrey from the original, teaming up with his partner, firefighter Maggie Rening, to probe a deadly Halloween that kills several civilians, including a group of trick-or-treaters. As their investigation unfolds, and Maggie uncover connections to arms dealer "Tall Albert" Smith and his terrorist gang, who are using the arsons as diversions to steal missiles for illegal export. To decipher the elaborate fire-starting methods, consults the imprisoned pyromaniac Bartel, a notorious arsonist who offers insights drawn from his own expertise despite his incarceration for past deadly blazes. The story escalates when a bomb is planted in Sean's home; Brian McCaffrey, Sean's uncle and a veteran , sacrifices himself attempting to defuse it and Sean from the explosion. In the climax, Sean defeats and his accomplices in an intense final fire scenario, thwarting their plot. In the resolution, Sean recommits to his family's legacy by persisting in investigations, solidifying his partnership with . The 101-minute runtime structures the narrative into investigative phases, high-stakes action sequences, and brief family flashbacks linking to the events and characters of the original film.

Cast and Characters

The principal cast of Backdraft 2 features Joe Anderson in the lead role as Sean McCaffrey, the of the Chicago Office of Fire Investigation (OFI) and son of the late Lieutenant Stephen "Bull" McCaffrey from the original film, portraying a lone-wolf who inherits his father's heroic legacy while grappling with personal demons. Alisha Bailey plays Maggie Rening, Sean's assigned partner and a rookie from Engine Company 17 who recently completed arson school, bringing technical expertise and providing lighter moments as she challenges Sean's independent style; her casting marks a step toward as one of the first prominent female s depicted in the . Returning from the 1991 Backdraft, William Baldwin reprises his role as Brian McCaffrey, Sean's uncle and a veteran Deputy District Chief in the OFI, serving as a seasoned mentor figure who embodies the ethos of the McCaffrey family. Donald Sutherland also returns as Ronald Bartel, the imprisoned pyromaniac arsonist from , now offering cryptic, Lecter-like insights into fire's destructive nature while acting as a chilling with a fascination for "the Dragon" (fire itself), his performance lending gravitas to the sequel's elements. Supporting roles include as Captain White, the Station 17 leader who enforces protocol on Sean and Maggie; as ATF Agent Ralph Kuntz, assisting in the investigation; and Jessamine-Bliss Bell as Jenny Yang, a providing expert analysis. Minor characters, such as firefighters like Adam J. Bernard's Lieutenant Walker and terrorists led by figures like Bogdan Farcas's Albert "Tall Albert" Smith, fill out the ensemble without extensive development, emphasizing the high-stakes ensemble dynamics of the .

Release and Reception

Distribution

Backdraft 2 was released directly to home media in the United States on May 14, 2019, bypassing a theatrical run and focusing on physical and digital distribution channels. managed the U.S. rollout, offering the film on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital platforms including , with digital versions available for purchase and rental on the same day as the physical media launch. Internationally, distribution was handled through various partners, such as Koch Media for and Universal Films of for video releases in . The marketing strategy targeted fans of the original 1991 film, emphasizing the return of as firefighter Brian McCaffrey and high-stakes fire action sequences in promotional trailers released online. These trailers were distributed via platforms like , promoting availability on streaming services such as and to leverage the sequel's connection to the franchise. The approach positioned Backdraft 2 as an accessible continuation for home viewing, aligning with its low-key production completed earlier that year.

Critical Response

Upon its release, Backdraft 2 received mixed to negative reviews from critics, reflecting its status as a low-profile sequel. On , the film holds a 40% approval rating based on five reviews, with an average score of 2/10, while no score was assigned due to insufficient coverage from major outlets. Some reviewers praised the film's action sequences involving fires, noting their visceral appeal despite budgetary constraints. For instance, the pyrotechnic set pieces, such as a booby-trapped and gruesome deaths, provided moments of tense excitement that echoed the original's high-stakes thrills. Donald Sutherland's performance as the returning Ronald Bartel was highlighted as a standout, described as "absolutely bonkers" and compelling, adding a layer of eccentric energy to the proceedings. However, the majority of critiques focused on the film's generic plot and weak scripting, which failed to recapture the emotional depth and character-driven intensity of the 1991 original. The story, centered on an pursuing an dealer using as diversions, was deemed nonsensical and underdeveloped, with clichéd and underdeveloped supporting characters, including a lackluster love interest. Reviewers often labeled it a "cash-grab" effort, pointing to obvious for effects and a procedural tone more akin to a network TV drama than a cinematic . Key reviews underscored this uneven reception. Alex McLevy of offered a mixed assessment, calling it a "brainless but trashily enjoyable" watch suitable for casual viewing, while appreciating nostalgic ties but lamenting its forgettability. In contrast, dismissed it as an "unnecessary, nonsensical " that parodies overused tropes without investing audiences in the stakes. Comparisons frequently drew unfavorable parallels to the original's immersive fire sequences and star power, with critics noting the sequel's diluted focus on firefighters amid outdated arms-trafficking elements. The limited number of professional reviews further indicated the film's low cultural profile.

References

  1. [1]
    Backdraft 2 (Video 2019) - IMDb
    Rating 4.9/10 (2,662) The sequel to the 1991 hit, follows an investigator with the Chicago F.D., who has to track down an arms dealer who use deadly fires as a distraction.
  2. [2]
    Backdraft 2 (Video 2019) - Release info - IMDb
    Release date · United States. May 14, 2019 · Finland. July 8, 2019 · France. July 24, 2019 · Netherlands. July 24, 2019 · Taiwan. August 22, 2019(DVD release).<|control11|><|separator|>
  3. [3]
    Amazon.com: Backdraft 2 [Blu-ray]
    The son and grandson of firefighters, Sean bitterly blames his fire chief uncle (Brian) for the death of his father in the line of duty.
  4. [4]
    Watch Backdraft 2 | Netflix
    In this sequel to the 1991 film, a determined fire investigator recruits an imprisoned arsonist to help untangle a web of fire, murder and corruption.
  5. [5]
    Backdraft 2 (Video 2019) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    Joe Anderson ... Sean McCaffrey ... William Baldwin. William Baldwin ... William Baldwin ... Brian McCaffrey ... Donald Sutherland ... Donald Sutherland ... Ronald Bartel.
  6. [6]
    Backdraft 2 - Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 40% (5) A fire investigator with the Chicago Fire Department tracks an arms dealer who uses deadly fires as a distraction.
  7. [7]
    Backdraft | Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 72% (65) Synopsis Chicago firefighting brothers Stephen (Kurt Russell) and Brian (William Baldwin) have been rivals since childhood. Brian, struggling to prove himself, ...
  8. [8]
    'Backdraft 2' In The Works With 'Apollo 18' Director Gonzalo López ...
    Mar 21, 2018 · The film is tentatively titled Backdraft II and will reportedly follow the grown son of Kurt Russell's character, an investigator with the ...
  9. [9]
    Backdraft 2 - the sequel to the 1991 firefighting blockbuster - CTIF
    Dec 6, 2019 · The movie "Backdraft" from 1991 put the dangers of firefighting on the map for members of the public around the world when it first came out.
  10. [10]
    From Universal Pictures Home Entertainment: Backdraft 2
    Mar 12, 2019 · Produced By: Raffaella De Laurentiis Written By: Gregory Widen Directed By: Gonzalo López-Gallego. TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAYTM: Street ...
  11. [11]
    BACKDRAFT 2: Ron Howard's Hit Firefighter Thriller Gets A Fiery ...
    Mar 12, 2019 · Produced By: Raffaella De Laurentiis Written By: Gregory Widen Directed By: Gonzalo López-Gallego. TECHNICAL INFORMATION BLU-RAY: Street Date ...Missing: announcement | Show results with:announcement
  12. [12]
    AFI|Catalog
    According to a 24 May 1991 HR article, screenwriter Gregory Widen pitched the concept for Backdraft to Trilogy Entertainment Group producer Richard B. Lewis ...
  13. [13]
    Backdraft 2 Locks in Apollo 18 Director, Shoots Next Month?
    Mar 21, 2018 · A new report suggests that Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego, best known for 2011 sci-fi thriller Apollo 18, has been tapped to direct the Backdraft sequel.Missing: announcement | Show results with:announcement
  14. [14]
    'Backdraft 2' to Fire Up on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital May 14 From ...
    Mar 12, 2019 · Action-drama Backdraft 2 will be released on Blu-ray, DVD and digital (including Movies Anywhere) May 14 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.Missing: de Laurentiis announcement
  15. [15]
    Franchise Fred Interview: Gregory Widen on Backdraft 2 and ...
    May 14, 2019 · Backdraft 2 is available now and Widen spoke with me by phone last week about returning to Backdraft and all his movie franchises.Missing: Raffaella de Laurentiis Imagine<|control11|><|separator|>
  16. [16]
    Backdraft 2 - Wikipedia
    Backdraft 2 (also known as Backdraft II) is a 2019 American action thriller film directed by Gonzalo López-Gallego and written by Gregory Widen.
  17. [17]
    Is 'Backdraft 2' An Under-Baked Sequel Or Hot Stuff? - SlashFilm
    May 15, 2019 · Backdraft follows two brothers – Stephen and Brian McCaffrey – both firefighters whose father died on the job fighting a blaze, but while ...Missing: personnel | Show results with:personnel
  18. [18]
    'Backdraft 2' with 'Apollo 18' Director Gonzalo López-Gallego soon to ...
    “Backdraft 2”, which Moviehole first wrote about about in March, has been confirmed by Universal Studios. Filming work for the movie is now ...Missing: announcement | Show results with:announcement
  19. [19]
    Gonzalo López-Gallego - IMDb
    Gonzalo López-Gallego is a visionary filmmaker whose journey exemplifies his passion and dedication to storytelling. Always learning through observation, ...
  20. [20]
    https://www.letterboxd.com/film/backdraft-2/
  21. [21]
    Backdraft 2 | VERN'S REVIEWS on the FILMS of CINEMA
    May 26, 2021 · This one pretty much abandons that and sticks to arson investigation – Sean does the job his uncle once did, except the office is now in the ...Missing: challenges planning
  22. [22]
    BACKDRAFT 2 - Intrada
    Veteran composer Randy Edelman's newest soundtrack on CD! Universal and imagine Entertainment present new sequel to hit Ron Howard film from 1991. Reprising ...
  23. [23]
    Company credits - Backdraft 2 (Video 2019) - IMDb
    Production Companies · 1440 Productions UK · Imagine Entertainment · Raffaella Productions · Title Media. (in association with) · Umedia. (co-production).Missing: editor | Show results with:editor
  24. [24]
    Backdraft 2 Movie Review: Chicago Fire | We Live Entertainment
    May 13, 2019 · Franchise Fred approves Backdraft 2, a worthwhile straight to video follow-up to the firefighter classic that continues the McCaffrey family ...Missing: announcement | Show results with:announcement
  25. [25]
    Backdraft 2 (Video 2019) - Filming & production - IMDb
    Filming locations. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Helpful•11. 0. Romania. Helpful•9 ... Filming dates. Apr 2018. Production dates. It looks like we don't have any ...Missing: challenges | Show results with:challenges
  26. [26]
    Filming for "Backdraft 2" confirmed to begin this Fall in Romania | CTIF
    Oct 16, 2018 · Shooting is now underway in Romania, with locations also in Toronto and Chicago. The film is expected to be released in 2020.Missing: principal | Show results with:principal
  27. [27]
    Have you seen “Backdraft 2”? - Castel Film Studios
    One of the producers on this second film, Raffaella De Laurentiis, also worked with Howard on his production. Further, writer and former firefighter Gregory ...Missing: Imagine Entertainment announcement
  28. [28]
    Ana-Maria Anghel - Photographer and Videographer | LinkedIn
    ... Backdraft 2 (directed by Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego, picture by Jose David ... Arri Alexa Studio, Arri Alexa Mini Afișează mai puține. Executive Content ...
  29. [29]
    Olivier Antignac - IMDb
    Wasp Network. 5.9. fx: Umedia. 2019. Joe Anderson in Backdraft 2 (2019). Backdraft 2. 4.9. Video. visual effects artist. 2019. Captain Morten and the Spider ...
  30. [30]
    Movie Review: Backdraft 2 | Brooke & Jeffrey In The Morning
    May 10, 2019 · Our story follows Sean McCaffrey, son of Stephen McCaffrey (from the first movie), as he works as Chicago's best arson investigator. A series of ...Missing: personnel | Show results with:personnel
  31. [31]
    Backdraft 2 - List of Deaths Wiki - Fandom
    It is a direct-to-video sequel to the 1991 film. When a fire investigator examines a fatal fire, he and his partner soon realise that this case is something out ...Missing: development history<|separator|>
  32. [32]
    Backdraft 2 Movie Review - Common Sense Media
    Rating 1.0 · Review by Barbara Shulgasser-ParkerJul 8, 2022 · Backdraft 2 is the sequel to director Ron Howard's 1991 Backdraft, which looked at firemen in Chicago. This movie isn't as entertaining as the original.Missing: film | Show results with:film
  33. [33]
    Backdraft 2 (Video 2019) - Plot - IMDb
    The sequel to the 1991 hit, follows an investigator with the Chicago F.D., who has to track down an arms dealer who use deadly fires as a distraction.
  34. [34]
    Backdraft 2 Cast & Character Guide - Screen Rant
    May 28, 2022 · Joe Anderson as Sean McCaffrey · William Baldwin as Brian McCaffrey · Donald Sutherland as Ronald Bartel · Alisha Bailey as Maggie Rening.
  35. [35]
    Amazon.com: Backdraft 2 [DVD]
    Maggie Rening. Sean's newly assigned partner, she has recently finished state arson school, has peace officer certifications and is qualified to carry weapons.Missing: character | Show results with:character<|control11|><|separator|>
  36. [36]
    Backdraft 2 | Trailer | Own it now on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital - YouTube
    Mar 12, 2019 · ... film clips and Blu-ray/DVD bonus feature clips from all your ... BACKDRAFT 2 Trailer (2019) William Baldwin Fireman Movie. JoBlo Movie ...
  37. [37]
    BACKDRAFT 2 Trailer (2019) William Baldwin Fireman Movie
    Mar 15, 2019 · BACKDRAFT 2 Trailer (2019) William Baldwin Fireman Movie PLOT: The sequel to the 1991 hit, follows an investigator with the Chicago F.D., ...
  38. [38]
    Backdraft 2 Blu-ray (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD)
    Rating 5/10 · Review by Martin LiebmanMay 18, 2019 · • Backdraft 2 Blu-ray - March 12, 2019. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has officially announced that it will release on Blu-ray ...
  39. [39]
    Backdraft 2 exists, hoping to reignite your love for the decades-old ...
    May 27, 2019 · The original was about a pair of brothers who both become firefighters in the same Chicago station. The elder, Lt. Stephen “Bull” McCaffrey ( ...Missing: shared personnel