Black Phone 2 – Movie Review (4/5)

BLACK PHONE 2 is a horror sequel that stays in the same universe but borrows from several iconic horror franchises. This approach to continuing a successful horror story worked for me, but probably won’t be for everyone. Read our full Black Phone 2 movie review here!

BLACK PHONE 2 is a horror movie that continues the story from The Black Phone, set a few years later. That original movie, which was based on a Joe Hill short story, ended with kids winning over a sadistic serial killer.

However, in horror movies, the villains tend to stick around. Even after they’ve died and been defeated. That’s also the case with this horror sequel, and since the two main child characters had paranormal powers, it makes even more sense.

Continue reading our Black Phone 2 movie review below. Find it on Digital from November 4, 2025.

Depressed and haunted

When Black Phone 2 begins, it’s with Finn (Mason Thames) struggling to get back to a “normal” life after his encounter with The Grabber (Ethan Hawke) in the first movie. He seems depressed and numbs himself constantly. Not least as he’s also still haunted.

Everywhere he goes, random pay phones – that are out of order, mind you – will start ringing. Meanwhile, his sister, Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), is trying to protect and help him. She is still absolutely brilliant and curses like a sailor.

Oh yes, I relate to her. Very much. Unfortunately, she also struggles with her own issues. Mainly getting visions in her sleep and sleepwalking. Soon, she will also be answering an important phone call from inside a dream.

Finally, their father (Jeremy Davies) has stopped drinking and is approaching three years of sobriety, so things are looking up as well. Of course, this isn’t a feel-good movie, so all good will soon be overshadowed by evil.

Trapped in nightmares at a camp

Very soon, Gwen’s visions will take her (along with her brother and a trusted friend) to a camp. A Christian camp where Gwen believes some children were murdered, and they are calling out to her.

In Black Phone 2, we’re getting Gwen haunted by nightmares and finding it impossible to escape them, while also soon to be trapped at a camp. Oh yes, it’s very much A Nightmare on Elm Street meets Friday the 13th, but only in good ways.

If anything, this setting and element feel like an homage to past iconic horror movies. To me, Black Phone 2 is still entirely its own beast. And yes, it is very much a supernatural horror movie.

Even more than in the first movie. In that one, ghosts helped Finn to defeat The Grabber. In this Black Phone sequel, both ghosts and The Grabber are calling out to Finn and Gwen.

Especially Gwen is getting physically tormented by the deceased serial killer in her dreams. But she’s tough, so he can’t defeat her mind, which is their only hope of fighting back.

Watch Black Phone 2 on VOD and Digital now!

Director Scott Derrickson (Sinister, The Exorcism of Emily Rose) is still at the helm of this horror franchise, which I hope isn’t over with this sequel. The screenplay comes from Scott Derrickson & C. Robert Cargill.

For me, Black Phone 2 was physically and emotionally more brutal. However, the original dealt more with child abuse as we saw The Grabber kidnap and groom his victims. This was darker and scarier, while this is more supernatural and action-filled.

Along with Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, and Ethan Hawke in their starring roles, we also get Demián Bichir (The Nun, Alien: Covenant), Arianna Rivas, and Anna Lore (Final Destination: Bloodlines) in key roles. Plus, Miguel Mora (The Black Phone) is back in a bigger role, as is Jeremy Davies.

Whether you will find the first movie or this sequel the scariest is probably depending on your personal fears. Both worked extremely well for me, but in very different ways. In fact, I didn’t expect to be a fan of this sequel, so I was pleasantly surprised.

BLACK PHONE 2 is out on digital platforms to buy or rent on November 4, 2025, and on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD on December 23, 2025.

Details

Directed By: Scott Derrickson
Written By: Scott Derrickson & C. Robert Cargill
Based on the Short Story ‘The Black Phone’ By: Joe Hill
Cast: Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies, Demián Bichir, Ethan Hawke