‘Black Phone 2’ Review – Supernatural Gimmick Answers One Too Many Times

Synopsis: Four years ago, 13-year-old Finn killed his abductor and escaped, becoming the sole survivor of the Grabber. But true evil transcends death … and the phone is ringing again

Confronting our emotions and trauma is a terrifying but necessary endeavor. If prolonged and unattended to, it can and will affect your life in ways that are almost always negative. Whether it’s your education, job, relationships, or health, it could all slip through your fingers if you choose not to act. And while it may seem tough or easier to avoid the tears and pain, you’re merely inviting disappointment and disaster into your life. Take the steps to better yourself. The real terror is in realizing that you could’ve had a better experience on earth if you had only faced your feelings.

“Did you think our story was over, Finney?”

The question is no longer whether a sequel is warranted or necessary; that’s been rendered irrelevant many times over. The only thing that matters is whether it’s any good. Also, with a badass mask, we knew a franchise was imminent. Co-written and directed by Scott Derrickson, Black Phone 2 is an enjoyable fright until it’s not. Turning up the gore, dread, and overall slasher vibes that the first film failed to capitalize on, this sequel is immediately more intense and profoundly haunting. However, as it adopts a completely different tone and supernatural skillset, it’s gravely missing the groundedness of its predecessor. That said, as the story shifts gears and centers itself around the sister, Gwen, and her evolved abilities, the supernatural gimmick answers one too many times.

Picking up four years after the death of the Grabber, Finn is now struggling mentally with not only taking someone’s life but also with what happened while locked in that soundproof basement. Picking up a few bad habits to alleviate his anger and numb the pain has left him with no friends and feeling internally hollow. Being wrangled by his psychic younger sister is the only reason he hasn’t completely spiraled. Avoiding his paranormal duties, things come to a head as Gwen’s abnormal abilities lead them to a cabin in the woods, and a nightmarish clash of past and present unfolds. As dreams and reality become blurred, the story becomes extremely Freddy Krueger coded. The film departs significantly from the original’s unsettling atmosphere and inventive spirit, substituting those fan-favorite elements for a plot that devolves into familiar superhero and Stranger Things tropes. Its simplicity was its charm. Saved by gruesome visuals, it almost becomes a storytelling cacophony of turbulent proportions.

“You are stronger than you think.”

The movie succeeds in its handling of emotions and trauma. If there was any question about what happened to Finn while he was kidnapped, it’s subtly yet loudly answered in this movie. We are also gifted some backstory, though not quite scratching the itch that some fans need. Also, the brother-sister dynamic is enjoyable. It almost feels as if it belongs in a mini-series.

Nevertheless, the forced ’80s lingo and uncharacteristic humor can take you out of that creepy coziness you want to reside in. Where the feature initially nudges you into a frozen, isolated hellscape with nightmare-inducing sequences, it eventually stumbles into familiar horror territory. Though Black Phone 2 proves superior to the original in several regards, its failure to innovate keeps it from surpassing its predecessor. The VFX look great, the score is unnerving, but the uneven tone, rocky script, and disjointed performances keep it from being great. Its rewatchability is medium.

Pace & Pop

Initially, the film settles comfortably into a traditional thriller pace, but unfortunately, about halfway through, it stalls. Once a heart-pounding affair, it eventually unravels under the weight of its own extraneous details. What really pops is how much the gore and visual scares are elevated. There may only be a few jump scares, but your eyes will feast on nightmare fuel.

Characters & Chemistry

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Demián Bichir, Miguel Mora, Jeremy Davies, Arianna Rivas

From beginning to end, the performances are hit or miss. From one scene to the next, there’s no telling if you’re going to get a grounded and meaningful delivery or disjointed overacting. Madeleine McGraw steals the show as she did in the first film, even with some laughable dialogue. Ethan Hawke is able to let loose as the Grabber is no longer hindered by Earthly means. And Mason Thames’ Finn may take a backseat this go around, but his presence and trauma are firmly felt. Some of his scenes are very memorable as he uncomfortably smokes joints. And why the close-ups? The three work well off each other, but some moments and lines are rather cringeworthy.

Black Phone 2 creeps into theaters on October 17, 2025. Stay safe and fight back.

Rated: R Runtime: 1h 54m Director: Scott Derrickson Writers: Scott Derrickson & C. Robert Cargill Based on characters created by: Joe Hill Producers: Jason Blum, Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill Executive Producers: Joe Hill, Adam Hendricks, Ryan Ture