Black Phone 2 review: Scary sequel that improves on the original

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Black Phone 2 is a fantastic follow-up to the original, successfully building on its unsettling and frightening atmosphere. The story delves deeper into the terrifying world and backstory of the villain, ‘Grabber’.

The first Black Phone, directed by Scott Derrickson and based on a story by Joe Hill, successfully blended a nostalgic 1970s coming-of-age story with genuinely scary supernatural horror. Derrickson co-wrote the script with C. Robert Cargill.

Okay, so this movie really hooked me, and a big reason why was the acting. The two young actors, Mason Thames and Madeline McGraw, were seriously impressive. But Ethan Hawke? Wow. He played the villain, this really creepy character called The Grabber, and he was absolutely terrifying – honestly one of the scariest performances I’ve seen in a while.

The team is back in this fantastic follow-up, which tackles important and thought-provoking ideas while also keeping you on the edge of your seat with plenty of excitement and frights.

What is Black Phone 2 about?

After a quick opening scene in the Rocky Mountains, the story moves to North Denver in 1982, where teenagers Finney and Gwen are both struggling with difficult lives.

Even though the siblings managed to defeat the Grabber in the first movie, the trauma continues to affect them. Finney struggles with anger, getting into fights at school and turning to drugs to cope when he’s at home.

Gwen faces bullying at school, with her classmates calling her a witch. She’s also haunted by unsettling dreams of deceased children, dreams that connect to events from the previous movie and secrets within her own family.

Driven by a need for answers, Gwen’s investigation propels the story ahead. This leads the pair to a Christian summer camp haunted by a troubling history, and ultimately brings them face-to-face with a familiar foe.

Dealing with trauma

The Grabber doesn’t return quickly, and like the first film, *Black Phone 2* largely focuses on the children simply attempting to navigate their incredibly difficult situation.

Even though they lost their innocence in the first movie, both characters are resilient and determined not to be defined by their past experiences. The sequel explores themes of trauma and the importance of confronting difficult issues in order to heal and move forward.

The movie frequently touches on faith and presents heaven and hell as genuine possibilities. However, at its heart, Black Phone 2 is a story about the strength of love and its ability to overcome even the deepest pain.

Channeling Dream Warriors

Beyond the film’s darker themes, Black Phone 2 is genuinely entertaining. The return to the scenic Rocky Mountains is a highlight, and the murders unfolding during stunning snowstorms are made even more impactful by Atticus Derrickson’s powerful electronic soundtrack.

Gwen’s illness, which she considers a curse, leads to extended dream sequences filmed on grainy Super 8 footage, a stylistic choice that effectively enhances these scenes.

Okay, so the movie really leans into the vibe of *A Nightmare on Elm Street*, especially *Dream Warriors*. It’s awesome because Gwen starts actively participating in these dream sequences, and it’s how she reclaims her strength. It totally works for the story, and honestly, it’s just super fun to watch her do it!

Is Black Phone 2 good?

Black Phone 2 successfully builds on the strengths of the original movie, while also surprising viewers with new and unexpected story twists.

This story answers questions left open by the previous one, and explores the motivations behind the Grabber’s terrible actions.

Finney and Gwen are still developing as characters, and it’s consistently enjoyable to see their progress.

Black Phone 2 score: 4/5

If you liked the first movie, you’ll love Black Phone 2, a sequel that’s both bigger, and better.

The Black Phone 2 was reviewed at Fantastic Fest and will hit theaters on October 17, 2025.

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2025-09-21 21:19