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Ever watched a horror sequel and thought, “Here we go again, the villain’s somehow still alive”? Black Phone 2 flips that entire narrative and had me clutching my blanket like it owed me rent. It’s eerie, emotional, and way more surreal than expected.
Black Phone 2 (2025), directed and co-written by Scott Derrickson alongside C. Robert Cargill, continues the story of Finney (Mason Thames), the Grabber’s only survivor, and his sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw). Ethan Hawke returns as the Grabber, now a ghostly presence after being killed in the first film. The sequel builds tension through eerie sound design and surreal visuals, icy blues, grainy textures, and haunting silences to mirror Gwen’s psychic turmoil, immersing viewers in a chilling, VHS-like dreamscape set in the late 1900s.
Let’s skip the cinematic fluff and dive into the plot. Honestly, I didn’t expect The Black Phone to get a sequel. The first movie ended with closure, especially with the Grabber’s death. So, when Black Phone 2 was announced, I was curious how they’d connect it to the original. I’m glad they kept the same cast; changing actors can totally disrupt the vibe. Following Finney’s life after the abduction, and seeing how his family is coping, gives the sequel emotional depth and continuity. The real question is: How do you build tension when the villain’s already gone?
Turns out, they leaned into the supernatural. The Grabber returns, not as a man, but as something darker. And what makes the sequel work is its emotional continuity. They kept the original cast, which is huge. Recasting Finney or Gwen would’ve shattered the connection of fans built in the first film. Instead, we get to see Finney four years later, still haunted, still healing. Gwen’s visions deepen, and the black phone isn’t done ringing.
From a student perspective, this sequel hits differently. It’s not just horror; it’s about trauma, survival, and how families carry the weight of what they’ve been through. That’s something a lot of us can relate to, even if the ghosts aren’t literal. The winter camp setting adds a fresh layer of isolation, and the mystery around their late mother gives the story emotional stakes beyond jump scares.
Overall ratings for Black Phone 2 are solid but mixed: critics gave it a 61/100 on Metacritic, and audiences rated it 6.0/10, while Rotten Tomatoes shows a stronger 77% critic score. Black Phone 2 earned mixed ratings for its shift toward surreal horror. Critics praised its atmosphere and performances, but some found the story less focused than the original, leading to divided audience reactions.
If you enjoyed The Black Phone and you’re into supernatural horror with a touch of gore, I recommend giving Black Phone 2 a shot, especially if you’ve seen the first one, since the emotional threads and ghost logic build directly on it. This film stands apart from typical sequels that just bring the villain back alive for round two. This one actually tries to evolve, and for once, a sequel feels like a continuation, not a cash grab.