Single Black Female 2: Simone’s Revenge (2024) Review – Your Favorite Stalker Is Back & Far More Calculated

Title Card, Single Black Female 2 Simone’s Revenge,

Simone’s spirit refuses to die and even if Monica moves across the country, she seemingly will never escape Simone’s vengeance.


Plot Summary

It has been three years since the events of “Single Black Female,” and Monica and Bebe have moved on to Seattle. They both now work at the Gold Network, with Monica now a newscaster for “Red Alert” where she does serious news.

Unfortunately, her first story is her own, and Simone’s, and features a local cop, Detective Trevor, who just solved a local stalking case. But with Monica struggling still with all Simone did, this puts her at odds with her boss, Kendyl Rouse. Someone whom Bebe grows close to.

And as all this happens, Simone lurks in Monica’s nightmares, in the shadows, and through Monica’s makeup artist Layla, plots her revenge.

Character Guide

Character’s Name Actor’s Name
Monica Raven Goodwin
Bebe K. Michelle
Simone Amber Riley
Detective Trevor John Crow
Kendyl Rouse Christine Horn
Layla Morgan Alexandria

Character Description(s)

Monica

Monica (Raven Goodwin) seeing Simone (Amber Riley) in the mirror, haunting her
Monica (Raven Goodwin) seeing Simone (Amber Riley) in the mirror, haunting her

With serious PTSD and an avoidance of therapy, Monica has been holding what Simone did inside, and she pays for it with regular nightmares of Simone trying to kill her. But, with a new job and a more prestigious position, she is hoping to move forward and focus on stories she cares about, like Black maternal health.

  • The actor is also known for their role in “Lola.”

Bebe

Bebe (K. Michelle) getting ready to be her old self
Bebe (K. Michelle) getting ready to be her old self

Moving to Seattle gives Bebe a chance to reinvent herself, so she has come up with a list which ranges from being with a girl, going wedding dress shopping and more. All in a effort to really take advantage in the changes she has pursued in life.

Simone

Simone (Amber Riley) as Sister Grace
Simone (Amber Riley) as Sister Grace

Simone, also known as Grace, like Monica, is dealing with some demons, from abandonment to having something taken from her, while given the opportunity for a fresh start, she ends up making that fresh start an alterego so she can enact her revenge.

  • The actor is also known for their role in “Infamous.”

Detective Trevor

Detective Trevor Williams (John Crow) on "Red Alert"
Detective Trevor Williams (John Crow) on “Red Alert”

Locally famous due to him solving a major stalking crime, Detective Trevor is one of Monica’s first guest on “Red Alert” and makes it clear he has a interest in her.

Kendyl Rouse

Kendyl Rouse (Christine Horn) sizing up and setting expectations for Monica
Kendyl Rouse (Christine Horn) sizing up and setting expectations for Monica

Kendyl Rouse is a station manager at Gold Network and controls what stories go on “Red Alert.” Based on Monica’s comments, she didn’t get to choose who would host “Red Alert,” and she starts things off by pushing Monica’s boundaries. However, her interactions with Bebe seemingly are the source of her chilling out.

Layla

Simone (Amber Riley) befriending Layla (Morgan Alexandria)
Simone (Amber Riley) befriending Layla (Morgan Alexandria)

Layla is Monica’s make up artist, Simone’s eventual roommate, who grew up in foster care, and has trust issues that lead to her bonding with Simone.

Review

Good If You Like

  • Black women behaving badly

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Highlights

While It Feels Like A Retread, It Ends In A Interesting Way

In many ways, “Single Black Female 2” operates on, “What isn’t broke, don’t fix it” as it pretty much has Simone do something similar to what she did before to stalk, harass, and setup Monica to go through hell. You may think this would be boring but Riley and Goodwin’s cat and mouse game remains appealing since there is no duo like the two.

Riley, as she goes from sugar sweet to mad as a hatter, pushes you to increasingly wonder when it comes to Layla and others, will she remove her mask, and if she does, will it be before she kills them? Then with Goodwin, as she shows Monica’s struggles with mental health, Kendyl, and trying to get her groove back, while it won’t be a masterclass in depicting notable figures on a healing journey, it does keep you engaged.

The same can be said for a ending which can feel a bit unexpected as we get a series of twists that push the idea there will be at least one more sequel, and it may take a lot for Monica to be free from Simone for good.

On The Fence

Trying To Eek Out A Life For Bebe

Bebe is a comic relief character who you can see, there is a desire to maybe create something more for her to do or be than ready to set it off. The problem is, Bebe’s journey is all over the place and lacks the kind of depth needed to take her serious. If anything, it is just a series of new gags to keep her funny rather than push the idea she is truly in pursuit of growth.

What It Sets Up For The Sequel

While the core of the sequel, being a final battle against Simone and Monica, can be appealing, everything else is questionable. To note, “Single Black Female 2” is not a bad movie, story-wise. However, like most films that are on Lifetime, have a Black majority cast, and aren’t pushed to be something prestigious, there is this feeling that the shoe can drop and something could happen that ruins everything built up to until now.

The reveal at the end of the movie could be just that. Either it will be the straw the breaks the camels back or present us with a whole new angle to explore, that could very well make it so Bebe may have to compete with someone for a strong secondary storyline.

Background Information

Director(s) Shari Lynette Carpenter
Writer(s) Sa’rah L. Jones, Tessa Evelyn Scott
Based On Work By N/A
Date Released March 2, 2024
Where To Watch Lifetime
Genre(s) Crime , Drama, Thriller
Film Length 1 Hour 26 Minutes
Content Rating Rated TV-14
Content Information Dialog: Cursing

Violence: Blood, Torture, Notable Fight Scenes

Sexual Content: Sexual Situations

Miscellaneous: Drinking


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Single Black Female 2: Simone’s Revenge (2024) Review

Summary

Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)

what “Single Black Female 2: Simone’s Revenge” is and who it is meant for will allow you to get into its madness.

Overall
79%
79%
  • While It Feels Like A Retread, It Ends In A Interesting Way - 83%
    83%
  • Trying To Eek Out A Life For Bebe - 76%
    76%
  • What It Sets Up For The Sequel - 77%
    77%
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User Review
0 (0 votes)

Highlight(s)

  • While It Feels Like A Retread, It Ends In A Interesting Way

Disputable

  • What It Sets Up For The Sequel
  • Trying To Eek Out A Life For Bebe

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