Rating: 3/5 Devilish Nostalgia

Adam Sandler returns as the sweet-natured son of Satan in Little Nicky 2: Hell on Earth, a sequel that trades the 2000s-era humor for a more nostalgic, self-aware tone.

The film finds Nicky living a quiet life on Earth, running a hot dog stand and trying to stay out of Hell’s politics. But when his father, Satan (Harvey Keitel, returning), goes missing, Nicky must return to Hell to find him. Along the way, he reunites with old friends, makes new enemies, and discovers that Hell has changed in his absence.

Sandler slides back into the role with ease, bringing the same sweet, clueless energy. The humor is a mix of callbacks to the original and new bits that land about half the time. The cameos are fun (Ozzy Osbourne returns), and the film has a surprising amount of heart. It’s not a classic, but it’s a fun nostalgia trip.

The Verdict: A silly, sweet sequel that knows what it is. Sandler fans will enjoy it. Everyone else can stay in Heaven.

Final Thought: Hell has a new ruler. His name is Nicky. He’s still figuring it out.