The Hangover Part II

When Stu travels to Bangkok for his upcoming wedding, his friends agree to keep things quiet after last year's chaotic bachelor party in Las Vegas. A calm pre-wedding brunch is supposed to set the tone, but the group wakes up the next morning with no memory of the night before and a string of outrageous discoveries across the city. Phil, Stu, Alan and Doug have to piece together where they went and what happened, following clues that lead them through seedy clubs, a hospital and encounters that complicate the wedding plans. The film keeps the focus on their frantic attempts to repair the damage without revealing key surprises that unfold later. Tension rises as loyalties and secrets are tested now.

Directed by Todd Phillips and released in 2011, the sequel reunites writers Craig Mazin, Scot Armstrong and Jon Lucas with the main cast. Filming moved the ensemble from Las Vegas to Bangkok, leaning on international locations to contrast the original.

The Hangover Part II performed strongly at the box office, drawing audiences familiar with the first film. Its commercial success helped solidify the franchise and prompted conversations about the economics of comedy sequels in the early 2010s and marketing strategies.

The movie intensified public debate over sequels that repeat a winning formula, while also feeding pop culture references to the characters, wardrobe and set pieces. Some viewers likened its darker, more chaotic tone to a riskier form of mainstream comedy, and it remains a touchstone for early 2010s blockbuster humor.

Critical reaction was mixed, reflected in a middling audience score and critic responses that praised the leads' chemistry while criticizing the film's repetition and shock-driven jokes. Themes include stubborn male friendship, consequences of irresponsible behavior and how far people will go to protect a friend's major life event and reputation.