Poison Ivy II: Lily, released on January 16, 1996, serves as a thematic continuation of the original erotic thriller, positioning a new character in a similar narrative of dangerous sexual awakening and manipulation. The film stars Alyssa Milano as Lily Leonetti, a shy, introverted art student who moves into a new apartment complex to pursue her studies. Lily is initially overwhelmed by the new environment and her feelings of inadequacy, particularly in her attempts to connect with the subject matter of her art classes.
The story kicks into gear when Lily discovers a box of belongings left behind by the previous, mysterious tenant: the provocative clothes and a journal detailing the illicit life of “Ivy.”
Intrigued and inspired by the confidence exuded by the former owner, Lily begins to wear the clothes and adopt the persona, triggering a rapid and dark psychological transformation.
This newfound persona, which she calls “Ivy,” empowers her to shed her inhibitions, but it also unleashes destructive, manipulative tendencies that threaten her academic life and her friendships.
Lily’s primary object of obsession is her brooding, troubled art professor Donald Falk (Xander Berkeley), who becomes the unwitting target of her increasingly bold seductions.
Caught in the volatile wake of Lily’s change is her neighbor and confidant, Gredin (Johnathon Schaech), whose genuine affection is complicated by her dangerous game.
Belinda Bauer rounds out the cast in a key supporting role, observing the chaos unfolding around Lily.
Poison Ivy II: Lily is a sequel to the 1992 film Poison Ivy starring Drew Barrymore and the second installment of the Poison Ivy film series followed by Poison Ivy: The New Seduction starring Jaime Pressley.
There was also a made-for-television film, Poison Ivy: The Secret Society, that premiered on Lifetime on July 27, 2008 starring Shawna Waldron and Greg Evigan.
This was Milano’s second film with director Anna Goursaud following Embrace of the Vampire.
Alyssa Milano in Poison Ivy II: Lily (Photo/New Line Cinema)
Legacy for Poison Ivy II: Lily
The film’s legacy is defined by its contribution to the 1990s erotic thriller boom and by Milano’s committed performance, which requires her to convincingly navigate the drastic shift from timid college girl to calculated seductress.
While it received mixed critical reception, Poison Ivy II: Lily remains a significant piece of direct-to-video cinema, exploiting the gothic style and psychological complexity of the genre to deliver a memorable, if pulpy, tale of identity, obsession, and dangerous transformation.
