US Edition'Black Phone 2' Review: A Hauntingly Strong Sequel that Channels Its Inner Freddy Krueger
The sequel explores Finney and Gwen's psychic struggles and supernatural dangers at Alpine Lake, with the Grabber returning as a menacing presence, expanding the original's chilling lore.
- This year, Black Phone 2 opened in theaters timed for Halloween, with Scott Derrickson directing the sequel after Joe Hill's original hit made a follow-up inevitable.
- Focusing inward, the sequel expands the franchise's lore and backstory, centering on Gwen as her psychic abilities grow stronger.
- Investigating, Gwen and Finney travel to Alpine Lake with Ernesto , as Gwen hallucinates past victims and suffers real injuries.
- Critics say the sequel mostly works despite reservations, calling it a rare exception that succeeds with the Grabber more menacing and supernatural chills, though pacing in the film's third act falters.
- The film's atmosphere and sound design deepen its horror credentials, with Super 8–style dream sequences and the snowy Alpine Lake setting creating a chilling tone this year.
18 Articles
18 Articles
What Black Phone lacked, its sequel more than makes up for. The original film, despite its announced horror, more or less fell into the psychological thriller genre. In the sequel, which is currently in theaters, director and screenwriter Scott Derrickson served up the exact opposite. The film is full of blood, violence, and the anguish of a snow-covered, isolated location.
The Most Underrated Horror Movie Sequels
Movies & TV horror movies The Most Underrated Horror Movie Sequels The world of horror sequels leaves the door wide open for new voices with something to prove. By Matthew Byrd | Published on October 31, 2025 Comment 0 Share New Share I love horror movie sequels. Though rightfully maligned for their inherent cash-in status and the many, many lesser efforts those ATM withdraws resulted in, the worst horror movie sequels should not define the …
Joe Hill on BLACK PHONE 2, The Grabber’s Sinister Return, and Where the Story Could Go Next
When The Black Phone hit theaters, it quickly cemented its place as a modern horror favorite. Now, with Black Phone 2 in theaters, fans are thrilled, and terrified, to see The Grabber make his chilling return. But where did this idea even come from? According to Joe Hill, it all started with the mask.“The mask was crafted by Tom Savini and Jason Baker,” Hill recalls. “I saw the mask with its swappable mouths: Sometimes the devil face is grinning…
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