Amber Williams
Contributing Writer
“Black Phone 2,” directed by Scott Derrickson and written by Derrickson and Robert Cargill, is the long-waited sequel to the 2021 smash hit “The Black Phone.”
Sequels always seem to have a hard time measuring up to the first hitter, however, this one does its job.
Despite its strong visuals and emotional intent, the film often falls into familiar horror tropes: dream demons, isolated camps and snowbound slasher vibes. In addition, the writing is weaker—the dialogue is dry and bland at times.
The movie returns with the same actors with Ethan Hawk portraying the murderous Grabber, Mason Thames as Finney, and Madeline McGraw as Gwen.
The film is set four years after the events of the first film. The story shows the traumatizing effects of the teenage survivors while battling a new issue that arises when another phone begins to ring again.
This sequel offers great jump-scares but also delivers psychological scars that mess with your head giving the illusion you may think you’re safe—but you’re not. The transformation of setting from basement terror in the original to the wide-open, storm-trapped youth camp also gives the film fresh breathing room to explore fear in a different way.
The movie skillfully brings an authentic 80’s horror movie aesthetic to it easily giving it that creepy back in the day horror film vibe. This movie deals with trauma, intense violence, and strong character development. The nightmare sequences almost gives off the same vibe as “Nightmare on Elm Street,” bringing a Freddy Kruger type of situation. This sequel delivers a satisfying horror experience.
The emotional depth that is brought into the movie is the remarkable relationship between siblings Finn and Gwen. Due to baggage carried over from the previous film, both siblings bring about supernatural mayhem with their leftover trauma and grief. Rather than simply repeating the first movie’s formula, “Black Phone 2” attempts to explore trauma, survivor’s guilt and sibling bonds. Gwen’s psychic visions and Finn’s struggle with his past add an emotional anchor.
The weight of how eerie the murders are and where they first started happening gave this movie more leverage on just how scary it is. Ethan Hawk delivers another great performance, grabbing viewers by the edge of their seats with his creepy interactions and stalking manner throughout the movie. With its release arriving just in time for Halloween, it’s the perfect pick for horror fans looking for one more fright before the season fades.