The Wasteland Reviewer

Black Phone 2 (2025) Written Review

Is “Dead” more than just a word? When it was announced that Scott Derrickson was making a follow-up to his supernatural slasher The Black Phone, there was a lot of confusion. What would a sequel look like without The Grabber…as he was killed off in the first film. But for this film franchise, death is just a state of being that can transcend what limitations we once thought there were. Black Phone 2 findsthe sibling duo of Finney and Gwen are struggling in a post The Grabber life. Finney is using pot and fighting to push down his anger and fear. Gwen is tortured by her uncomfortably realistic dreams that combine the past, present, and future. Unfortunately, they find themselves in a frozen camp that brings the spirit of The Grabber back for them. 

Does Derrickson continue to bring horror goods with this sequel? There are so many great elements the Derrickson and his team thread together to craft quite the unnerving and exciting cinematic experience. The pacing for this almost two-hour film moves quite well as they get the needed set-up in and take the audience right into this frozen hellscape. The visual and auditory presentation are at the next level. When Gwen has her unnatural and tangible dreams, Derrickson crafts them in a way that combines the grainy footage of all home videos and a detailed and specific sound design that feels authentic as well. The rest of the cinematography (from Par M. Ekberg) is so crisp as it mixes textured footage with slow motion and eerie atmosphere. The score from Atticus Derrickson is killer with so many emotive tones as it crafts an impressive soundscape. There are plenty of unnerving moments and great scares that combine jump scares, blood and gore, and an endless supply of dread. Derrickson brought all the goods this time and delivered quite a bold and haunting experience. 

Where does Derrickson take the story of Finney, Gwen, and The Grabber after The Black Phone? The first film certainly had a definitive end, but Derrickson does a great job of leveraging the film’s world and logic to bring a new and intriguing twist to the story while building out the lore of the horrific The Grabber and the central family. Sure, Derrickson draws upon obvious motifs from A Nightmare on Elm Street as well as The Shining, but Derrickson injects enough heart and soul to give Black Phone 2 enough depth to overcome these derivative elements. The Grabber leveraging the ghostly path of his victims is a compelling idea and the way he links to this snowy camp, and this family enrichens the emotional experience of the film. Finney’s path of running from his abilities, which also parallels his father’s own vices, adds layers. Gwen takes center stage with her connection to their mother and how her abilities open this strange middle, dream world that opens the door for horrifying visuals as well as some deeply emotional twists. Gwen having a little romantic partner is a welcomed element as well. Most of the new characters introduced at the camp of one dimensional but Demian Bichir’s Mando is a great character whose emotional connection to this situation deepens the experience. There are some clunky expositional elements in the film and some of the themes are a tad too blunt but overall, Derrickson certainly delivers something meaningful. 

Does this cast deepen Black Phone 2 as an experience? McGraw and Thames are shaping into real stars. You get to see them mature this time around and deliver plenty of intense and emotional moments that stand out so well and deepen the film. Thames brings rage and physicality that gives the film an edge while McGraw’s performance is overflowing with charisma and empathy. Hawke is back and chewing up the screen. The intensity of his performance as The Grabber continues to make him stand out as a terrifying villain. Jeremy Davies gets a few strong emotional beats and a little bit of humor too as this duo’s father. Bichir is a welcomed addition as he brings depth and presence to the film. Arianna Rivas and Miguel Mora Ernesto both bring some charm to their characters of Mustang and Ernie, even if they are not the deepest characters. 

Is Black Phone 2 a worthy sequel to Derrickson adaptation of Joe Hill’s work? Black Phone 2 is a wild ride for sure. The visuals and practical effects are downright disturbing. This bloody and gory experience has plenty of disturbing moments and visuals that will shake you and linger. The technical craft of the film delivers quite a special feeling and gives the film such a specific and unique experience. The story is an engaging and interesting continuation as it borrows from iconic horror flicks. McGraw and Thames are young stars with Hawke delivering the right bit of terror in support. If the story is right, bring on more of the adventures of Finney and Gwen.