The highly anticipated horror sequel “Black Phone 2,” directed by Scott Derrickson, brings back the eerie atmosphere and emotional depth that made the first movie a hit. Starring Mason Thames as Finney and Madeleine McGraw as his sister Gwen, the film explores how both characters are still haunted years after escaping The Grabber, played once again by Ethan Hawke.
Set several years after the events of the original, the story follows Gwen as she begins experiencing strange visions connected to a different string of missing children. When she starts hearing the black phone ring again, this time in her dreams, it becomes clear that the nightmare they thought was over is far from finished.
This sequel shifts focus from Finney’s survival story to Gwen’s journey, giving her more of the spotlight. Gwen’s psychic abilities play a bigger role, and her determination and resiliency to uncover the truth drive the film forward. This new direction adds depth to the story, though at times it feels like the movie tries too hard to explain its supernatural elements.
The sibling bond between Finney and Gwen remains the core of the movie. Their relationship feels real and heartfelt, making the horror feel scarier than it would otherwise. McGraw delivers a standout performance, showing both strength and vulnerability. Hawke’s return as The Grabber, though mostly through visions and flashbacks, is chilling enough to make the audience uneasy when he makes on-screen appearances.
Visually, “Black Phone 2” is dark, cold, and beautiful. The snowy outdoor setting and the eerie internal lighting give the film a haunting, dreamlike quality. The use of grainy Super 8-style footage during Gwen’s visions adds a creative touch and makes this film stand out in comparison to the first. The frozen, isolated environment also reflects the emotional distance and trauma the characters are trying to overcome.
The film does have some plot hole issues. The film never clearly explains how or why the black phone continues to work now that The Grabber is dead. We know that the whole point of the phone is to communicate with the dead, but we don’t ever get it explained to us how that works in either film.
Another big question is how Gwen’s psychic connection is suddenly really strong. The first movie hinted at her abilities and showed them off a little, but this sequel jumps straight into full-on visions and dream worlds without much explanation. The movie also introduces a subplot about the siblings’ mother and her connection to The Grabber and his powers, but it’s not very well developed, and it’s quickly dropped, with most watchers feeling like they want to know more.
The pacing suffers, too. After a suspenseful first act, the middle drags with repetitive dream sequences and overexplained dialogue that make the story a little confusing. The movie also tried to expand The Grabber’s backstory, which didn’t do much except for taking away from the mysterious side of him.
“Black Phone 2” is an enjoyable sequel that expands on the original film’s themes of trauma and survival, though it leaves some questions unanswered. It’s definitely worth watching for horror fans and returning viewers!
–Nov. 4, 2025–
