Sitting down for my early screening of “Black Phone 2,” I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect other than the fact that this sequel promised major “Nightmare on Elm Street” vibes. Honestly, that was enough to get me in the door.
The first “Black Phone” was a hit for good reason: Ethan Hawke delivered one of his most chilling performances, it introduced us to rising star Mason Thames, and audiences rewarded it with strong box office numbers that made a sequel inevitable. I’ll admit, though, I had mixed feelings about a follow-up. Sequels rarely live up to their predecessors, and sometimes they even dull the impact of the original story.
But “Black Phone 2” is a rare exception. Finney (Thames), now 17, is still grappling with the fallout of his trauma, while sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) finds herself drawn into a new, unsettling mystery tied to their family’s dark past. The Grabber (Hawke) is back, more menacing than ever, and the movie leans harder into the supernatural side of its story, which makes for some genuinely chilling sequences.
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Arriving just in time for Halloween and now in theaters, “Black Phone 2” may not be quite as flawless as the first, but it’s a strong, inventive sequel that honors the original while dialing the terror up to eleven. Here’s why it’s worth answering the call.
Alix Blackburn
Senior Streaming Writer
Horror has always been my favorite genre, so getting to attend early screenings and share honest reviews is something I genuinely love. Nothing hits quite like a good scare, especially when a new horror release lands just in time for Halloween.
‘Black Phone 2’ returns with a chilling new ring
(Image credit: Universal Pictures)
I was initially skeptical about the need for a sequel, given that “The Black Phone” ended with Finney killing the Grabber and reuniting with his family. The villain was dead, so how could the story continue… unless you go the Freddy Krueger route, of course. In “Black Phone 2,” helmed by Scott Derrickson instead of Joe Hill, we meet an older Finney and his sister, Gwen. Though this time, the story focuses much more on her, as her psychic abilities seem to have grown stronger.
When Gwen begins dreaming about her deceased mother (who also had the same abilities) answering a mysterious phone call in the snowy mountains, she’s determined to uncover the truth. She soon discovers that her mother once worked at a youth camp called Alpine Lake. Finney joins her, along with Robin’s brother, Ernesto (Miguel Mora) — Robin being the young boy from the first movie who was killed by the Grabber — as they travel to the mountains to confront the mysteries lurking there.
(Image credit: Universal Pictures)
It’s an engaging setup, brought to life by some incredible visuals and sound design. Perhaps some of the best I’ve seen this year. What really struck me about this sequel was the cinematography, especially Gwen’s dreamlike sequences, which have this old-analog texture. They’re eerie, but also a visual treat, making it easy to distinguish the dreams from reality.
Of course, with the Grabber’s ability to terrorize once more, comparisons to “Nightmare on Elm Street” are inevitable. Gwen becomes the unfortunate victim who not only hallucinates some of his past victims but can also experience the same injuries in real life as she does in her dreams. Yes, it’s practically Freddy Krueger, but “Black Phone 2” manages to do its own thing, feeling like an ice-cold flip of the burning-hot rage of “Elm Street.”
(Image credit: Universal Pictures)
“Black Phone 2” is a thrilling watch, featuring strong performances from Thames and Hawke once again. This time, however, McGraw really stands out, managing to convey both fear and pure grit. Some of the other characters, including those working at the youth camp, mainly serve as plot catalysts, appearing mostly when the Blake siblings need to convince them that something is very wrong.
Even though this is a strong and scary sequel, the only real thing that made it feel less impactful was the unevenly paced third act. Not only does the Grabber come into the movie later than expected, but once he does, it’s almost as if the movie struggles to keep up. The third act alternates between feeling rushed and unnecessarily long, to the point that the ending scene loses more impact than it should.
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Still, “Black Phone 2” is a great addition to the horror genre, and being a huge “Elm Street” fan, I was pleased to see some inspiration woven throughout. But keep this in mind: the movie goes to some dark places, and it’s very gory in parts to show the extent of the Grabber’s crimes, which only makes the build-up to his Krueger-like entrance more frightening.
Verdict: ‘Black Phone 2’ is one of the best horror movies of 2025
(Image credit: Universal Pictures)
“Black Phone 2” is easily one of the strongest horror entries this year, thanks in large part to its incredible visuals and sound design, which are perfectly paired with the bitterly cold, snowy camp setting.
I really love that Gwen’s dreams are presented in grainy, low-resolution footage reminiscent of Super 8 film, giving them a retro, tactile quality that feels just slightly off. This technique clearly signals to the audience that these sequences are vivid dreams with real consequences, and it’s stunning to see on the big screen.
The movie doesn’t just deliver scares, but it also expands the lore and backstory, which honestly makes the first movie feel even more impactful on a rewatch. Despite its uneven pacing and the fact that it can’t quite surpass its predecessor, “Black Phone 2” is a chilling horror movie that proves hell isn’t flames — it’s ice.
“Black Phone 2” is now in theaters.
Stream “The Black Phone” on Peacock
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