Reviews
Black Phone 2
When a sequel to The Black Phone was announced, I was incredibly skeptical. The first film was a remarkably strong standalone with a satisfying ending that did not seem to need any continuation, especially in a world already overflowing with unnecessary sequels. But I am happy to admit I was completely wrong. Scott Derrickson and his team have delivered a follow-up that not only meets but in many ways surpasses its predecessor with a story that is both gripping and deeply engaging.
Black Phone 2 takes place a few years after the original, set in 1982. The opening scenes mirror the first film, beginning with a fight, only this time it is Finney (Mason Thames) delivering the beatdown. He even repeats a line once spoken by his late friend Robin, who was killed by the Grabber (Ethan Hawke), creating a darkly comic callback. Now in high school, Finney drifts through his days and turns to weed to help suppress the memories of that basement.
We are quickly reintroduced to his father (Jeremy Davies), now sober and trying to be a better parent, and his sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), who still suffers from psychic visions and haunting dreams. This time, Derrickson and co-writer C. Robert Cargill center the story on Gwen’s recurring nightmares of a snow-covered Christian youth camp and the lost children connected to it.
Unable to shake what she has seen, Gwen discovers that the camp in her dreams is real, Camp Alpine Lake, the same one her mother attended as a child. Determined to uncover the truth, she convinces Finney and her friend Ernesto (Miguel Mora), Robin’s brother and her potential love interest, to join her. Once they arrive in the midst of the worst blizzard in years, they are greeted by the last remaining staff members who stayed behind. These include camp supervisor Armando (Demián Bichir), his niece Mustang (Arianna Rivas), and co-workers Kenneth (Graham Abbey) and Barbara (Maev Beaty).
From there, things take a dark turn as the supernatural elements of the original return. The Grabber soon makes his presence known again, reminding Finney through the eerie camp phone that death does not always mean the end. As Gwen’s dreams intensify and she uncovers the horrors buried in the camp’s past, it becomes clear that she is now the Grabber’s target and must step into the role of hero.
Black Phone 2 spends much of its time shifting between the real world at the camp and the vivid dreams Gwen endures. The transitions are seamless, with all of the dream sequences shot on Super 8 film, creating a gritty yet visually stunning contrast that fans will appreciate. These moments are among the film’s strongest, delivering the kind of tense, hide-behind-your-hands suspense that keeps audiences glued to their seats.
The performances across the board are excellent. Mason Thames, now in more of a supporting role, continues to show his growing range with a mature and surprisingly emotional performance. Madeleine McGraw, however, completely steals the show. Taking on a lead role is no small task, yet she makes it look effortless, carrying the film with confidence and emotional depth far beyond her years. Ethan Hawke once again delivers, adding another chilling layer to the Grabber and commanding every scene he appears in.
The film also raises the intensity several levels with its gore and genuine scares. There are moments that are truly cringe-inducing in the best way, but Black Phone 2 balances the horror with moments of well-timed comic relief, offering quick but effective breaks from the tension, even if the humor feels a bit overused by the climax.
While I had a very positive experience with Black Phone 2, there are moments where the film becomes too heavy with exposition. At times it feels as though it is holding the audience’s hand, relying on dialogue to move the story forward rather than letting it unfold naturally. The ending also leans toward being cheesy and predictable, but that does little to undo all the goodwill the film earns along the way.
In a time when sequel fatigue is a genuine issue and the overall quality of follow-ups continues to decline, Black Phone 2 delivers a refreshing and welcome surprise. It may even surpass the original, something I thought was nearly impossible going in. 2025 already boasts a strong lineup of horror films, but Black Phone 2 firmly earns its place among the year’s best.