Who Is Vanessa in Netflix’s ‘Kill ‘Em All 2’?

On Christmas day, Netflix gifted action movie lovers the latest revenge tale, Kill ’em All 2, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. Despite turning 65 this year, The Muscles from Brussels still has the balletic grace and acrobatic maneuvering fans have come to know and love since the 1980s. The story continues seven years after the 2017 action thriller Kill ’em All left off, pitting JCVD’s Philip against a ruthless Franco-Russian terrorist hell-bent on revenge.

Kill ’em All 2 introduces new characters not in the original, including a mysterious figure named Vanessa (Jaqueline Fernandez). While drips and drabs of background info come to light in the film, it’s easy to miss how she relates to the main plot. As such, it’s time to highlight Vanessa in Kill ’em All 2 and discuss who she is, her role, and how her relationship with Philip (JCVD) informs the story.

What is Kill ’em All 2 About?

Released on video on September 24, 2024, Kill ’em All 2 is a direct action movie sequel to 2017’s Kill ’em All. Directed by Peter Malota, the original concerned a mysterious, unnamed stranger being treated for grave injuries at a hospital. As a kind nurse named Suzanne (Autumn Reeser) nurses the stranger back to health, viewers learn his name is Philip, and he has a dangerous past. The past comes calling for Philip when a heavily armed gang of international thugs bombards the hospital with deadly intentions.

As Philip stands his ground and protects the hospital at all costs, law enforcement agencies get involved. FBI Agent Sanders (Maria Conchita Alonso) and CIA operative Holman (Peter Stormare) prove to have ulterior motives, forcing Philip to rely on himself as a one-man wrecking crew. Agents Holman and Sanders appear in the sequel, with Stormare and Alsono joining a new crop of villains.

After surviving the hospital onslaught in the original, Philip continues to fight international terrorists in Kill ’em All 2, directed by Valeri Milev. The original Van Damme film found Philip fighting Russian criminals led by Radovan Brokovski (Daniel Bernhardt) and his chief assassin, Almira (Mila Kalađurđević). In the sequel, Philip must defeat Vlad Petrovic (Andrei Lenart) and his violent henchman seven years after the first film.

For JCVD fans, one cool tidbit comes when Philip kills one of Vlad’s goons, Ivan, played by JCVD’s real-life son, Nicolas Van Varenberg (credited as Nic Van Damme). Van Damme’s other son, Kris Van Varenberg, played Dusan in the original, adding to JCVD’s cinematic legacy. Speaking of family members, Vanessa’s character in Kill ’em All 2 has a special kinship with Philip.

Who Is Vanessa in Kill ’em All 2?

Kill ’em All 2 commences with Philip learning that Vlad is the villain’s brother in the previous film, Dimitri (Eddie Matthews), and is out for bloody revenge. Vlad dispatches a gang of assassins to take Philip out, only to become increasingly annoyed by their perpetual failure. Meanwhile, Philip hides out in the South Italian town of Mola di Bari, searching for a new house to settle in. When viewers find Philip house hunting, he is with a young woman who is revealed to be named Vanessa (Fernandez).

Related

Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Best Films, Ranked

Jean-Claude Van Damme is one of the most iconic action heroes of all time, and these are his best films, ranked

Vanessa is Philip’s long-lost daughter who’s been reunited with her father after years of estrangement. Since Philip killed Vlad’s brother in the original film, Vlad’s mission is to target Vanessa and eliminate the most important person in Philip’s life as payback. Fortunately, Vanessa uses her fighting background to fight against the Franco-Russian terrorists and becomes her father’s dependable sidekick. Whether serving as a lookout or bashing several of Vlad’s cohorts with hard-hitting fisticuffs, Vanessa proves she can handle herself and protect her father with guile and unflappable command.

Without spoiling the predictable boilerplate action movie plot, Philip and Vanessa must rely on each other to survive Vlad’s revenge campaign. Despite poor reviews citing an uninspired story and lackluster action, Kill ’em All 2 continues the tale of family vengeance. After killing Vlad’s brother Dimitri in the original, Vlad is intent on killing Philip’s daughter Vanessa. The movie may not be JCVD’s best, but it will surely open doors for budding action star Jacqueline Fernandez.

Who Is Jacqueline Fernandez?

Jacqueline Fernandez is a Sri Lankan former TV reporter turned model and actor with over 40 credits since 2009. After making her award-winning screen debut in Aladin, Fernandez has built a diverse filmography, including several Indian (Hindi) films like Murder 2, Housefull, Kick, Roy, Brothers, Attack, Cirkus, Bhoot Police, Mrs. Serial Killer, and more.

With eight upcoming projects, Fernandez will appear next in Welcome to the Jungle, One Way, The Routes, and the TV series #GOATS. After making her Hollywood debut in Kill ’em All 2, holding her own opposite JCVD, and proving her action bona fides, chances are high that Jaqueline Fernandez will continue to raise her international profile and be afforded more opportunities to showcase her impressive physical talents. Kill Em All 2 is available to stream on Netflix