If you thought the last haunting of the black rotary phone ended with The Black Phone, think again. Black Phone 2 delivers a chilling sequel that ignites the old fear—and then deepens it. Let’s dive into what works (and what may not) in this 2025 horror-entry from Blumhouse Productions and Universal Pictures, directed by Scott Derrickson and written with C. Robert Cargill.
Story Setup & What’s New
Four years after the events of The Black Phone, the young survivor Finney (Mason Thames) now grapples with trauma and the scars of his ordeal. Meanwhile his sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) begins experiencing disturbing visions and dream-calls from the infamous black phone. The villain, The Grabber (Ethan Hawke), returns, but in a much more sinister, other-worldly way. Black Phone 2 Movie Site+2Wikipedia+2
The setting shifts to a winter camp called Alpine Lake, where Gwen convinces Finney to go during a storm, uncovering hidden connections between their family and The Grabber’s legacy. Black Phone 2 Movie Site+1
In many ways, the sequel expands the mythology: moving from captivity in a basement to winter-camp isolation, from one victim to two siblings, from a ghostly phone to a deeper trauma network.
Style, Tone & Execution
If the first film built up tension through a claustrophobic basement and analog horror (the ringing phone, the mask, the silence), this sequel ups the scale. The visuals lean colder, the setting more expansive (snow, woods, storms), the emotional stakes higher. The Blogpost+1
The old-school rotary phone remains a central motif—symbolizing pain, communication from the beyond, and the weight of survival. The return of Ethan Hawke as The Grabber is a real draw: he remains one of contemporary horror’s most haunting antagonists.
Critics are generally positive: Black Phone 2 holds around a 74% score on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating solid reception. Rotten Tomatoes+1
Fans in forums note that the sequel is “darker, colder, and way more spiritual” than the first, trading fast jump scares for slow-burn emotional dread. Reddit+1
Return to Tables: Cast + Crew
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Director: Scott Derrickson – returning from the original. Black Phone 2 Movie Site+1
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Writers: Scott Derrickson & C. Robert Cargill – same duo who handled the first film. Parade
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Starring: Mason Thames (Finney), Madeleine McGraw (Gwen), Ethan Hawke (The Grabber) plus Demián Bichir, Jeremy Davies, Miguel Mora. Wikipedia+1
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Budget: Approx. $30 million. Wikipedia+1
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Runtime: 114 minutes. Wikipedia
Release, Box Office & Audience Reception
Black Phone 2 premiered on October 17, 2025 in the U.S., after being delayed from a June release. PINKVILLA+2ComingSoon+2
It opened at #1 at the North American box office with about $26.5 million in the opening weekend—surpassing the opening of its predecessor. AP News+2GamesRadar++2
Globally, it has grossed approximately $45 million to date on its $30 million budget. Wikipedia+1
From streaming standpoint, it is initially theater-only, with digital/streaming to follow (likely on Peacock before other platforms). Decider
Audience sentiment is strong: Verified audience score on Rotten Tomatoes reportedly around 85%. Reddit
What Works & What Falls Short
What works:
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Continuity: Because much of the same core team (director, writer, key cast) returned, the tone remains consistent.
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Elevation of theme: The shift from mere survival to trauma and legacy gives the sequel emotional resonance.
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Visual/horror set pieces: The winter-camp environment gives the film a different flavour—isolated, cold, unsettling.
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The Grabber remains frightening: Ethan Hawke brings presence, and the character’s return thrills horror fans.
What may fall short:
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Expansion of mythology can sometimes dilute mystery: some viewers feel the sequel tries to explain too much. Reddit
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The pacing in the middle may feel slower or repetitive: the set‐up of visions + camp scenes stretches the tension arc.
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As with many sequels: expectations are elevated, so even a strong film risks being compared to a beloved original.
Themes & Analysis
One of the strongest aspects of Black Phone 2 is how it treats trauma, memory, and the idea that “evil transcends death.” The original film set up the idea of surviving evil; the sequel asks: what happens when you survive but the evil didn’t end?
The phone becomes metaphorical: the ringing represents guilt, the voices of the past, something unresolved that won’t leave you alone. The snowbound camp suggests isolation but also a liminal space between childhood and adulthood—the siblings are growing, shifting roles, trying to heal yet being pulled back.
The sibling dynamic is key: Gwen’s visions force Finney to revisit his trauma. The film thus moves from a lone survivor to a shared family ordeal. This gives the horror a personal stake beyond jumps, gore or monster.
Visually, the film uses analog devices (the phone, masks) and natural settings (snow, woods) to create atmosphere rather than constant CGI or shocks. This harkens back to classic horror techniques—an advantage for viewers craving substance over spectacle.
Should You Watch It?
If you enjoyed The Black Phone, yes—Black Phone 2 is worth your time. It takes what you liked (the fear, the mask, the phone) and builds on it meaningfully. For horror fans craving something with heart + horror, this fits.
If you found the first film lacking or felt it leaned more thriller than horror, be aware: the sequel deepens the emotional/traumatic side and shifts away from pure jump-scares. For some, that may make the ride less immediate, though arguably more rewarding.
Also, viewing in a theater helps: the sound design, the cold visuals, the isolation all benefit from immersive experience.
Final Thoughts
Black Phone 2 isn’t just a re-dial of the original; it re-imagines the ringing phone as a symbol of what doesn’t end when evil’s supposedly defeated. It asks us to consider survival, healing, and what happens when the phone still rings even when you thought the nightmare was over.
With a strong opening, returning cast, and a higher emotional and visual ambition, this sequel stands out among horror follow-ups. While it may lean heavier into theme than pure shock, the payoff is impressive for those who stick with it.
If you’re planning to watch, here’s a tip: turn off your phone, watch with the lights low, and listen for the ring. Because in this movie—and maybe in our own pasts—the call might still be coming.
Would you like a detailed breakdown of key scenes, spoiler-free discussion of the ending, or ideas for a third installment in the franchise?
