10 Things You Forgot About The Black Phone During the 4-Year Wait for the Sequel

I was a huge fan of the first movie, so I’m really excited to hear they’re making a sequel! *Black Phone 2* is coming out on October 17, 2025, and it’s going to continue the scary story we all loved. I was shocked to hear they’re bringing The Grabber back, since he… well, you know, didn’t make it in the first one! Apparently, they’ve figured out a clever way to bring him into this new, terrifying situation. I can’t wait to see how they pull it off!

The new movie picks up four years after the events of the first film. Gwen starts having psychic dreams that warn of a new threat: someone is stalking boys. She and her brother, Finney—who previously survived and defeated the serial killer known as the Grabber—must work together to stop this even more dangerous foe. Before watching the sequel, it’s helpful to remember important details from the original *The Black Phone*.

The Black Phone is Based on a Joe Hill Short Story

I’ve been following Joe Hill for a while now – he’s the guy behind some really great horror like *NOS4A2* and *Horns*. It’s easy to see where he gets his talent, being Stephen King’s son, and they’ve even collaborated a couple of times, like on *In the Tall Grass*. But what’s really cool is that Joe Hill has totally made a name for himself, and he’s become a fantastic horror writer all on his own merits.

While director Scott Derrickson and co-writer C. Robert Cargill made some changes to personalize the story, the film remains quite faithful to Joe Hill’s original short story. Both versions feature a serial killer known as “The Grabber” who preys on young boys. The story centers around a boy named Finney, who receives help from previous victims by communicating with them through an old, disconnected black phone.

The Black Phone Took Place in 1978

The late 1970s were a time of big changes in the U.S., with advancements in technology and shifts in global politics. It’s worth noting that the first *Black Phone* movie is set in 1978. The sequel picks up four years later, in the early 1980s, and features the main villain, Finney, who is now older but still a teenager.

The time period the movies are set in is significant not just for the story’s plot, but also because it reflects changing societal fears. The 1970s saw the capture of notorious serial killers like John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, and BTK. These terrifying crimes increased public anxiety, and people—both adults and children—became particularly concerned with child safety.

Finney and the Grabber Have Shared Experiences

A key reason *The Black Phone* is so impactful isn’t just its original idea, but how much it makes you think. The film strongly suggests the villain, known as The Grabber, suffered abuse as a child—possibly even in the same basement where he committed his crimes—and that this trauma drove his need to ‘punish’ young boys.

Both Finney and The Grabber experienced difficult childhoods. The film shows Finney’s father physically abusing his sister, suggesting it happened often. Combined with the loss of their mother and their father’s alcoholism, Finney had to grow up quickly and take care of his sister. This background likely helped him cope with the emotionally disturbed and violent Grabber in a way other boys might not have been able to.

Symbolism of the Black Balloons Can’t Be Overlooked

Throughout the movie *The Black Phone*, you see black balloons over and over. They’re not just meant to be scary; they represent how the villain, known as The Grabber, attracts children. He pretends to be a magician, and uses the balloons as a way to trick kids. The fact that they’re black adds to the unsettling and ominous feeling, and he also uses them to sedate the boys before taking them in his van.

Serial killers who prey on children often use tricks, like offering candy or toys – in this case, balloons, which are usually seen as symbols of joy and celebration. However, balloons can also represent something otherworldly, perhaps because they float upwards but remain tethered to the ground. In the story, these balloons symbolize the villain’s victims – trapped and hoping for rescue, and they assist Finney in his fight to stop The Grabber.

The Naughty Boy Game Defined the Grabber

Like many serial killers, especially those who prey on the vulnerable, The Grabber is known for being exceptionally cruel. He doesn’t just kill young boys; he deliberately prolongs their suffering. Instead of immediately attacking, he waits for them to misbehave, using their actions as a twisted justification for his crimes – as if punishing them for being disobedient.

Finney discovers, through messages from previous victims via the black phone, that the killer, known as The Grabber, lures children with a twisted game called “Naughty Boy.” He leaves the basement door open, encouraging them to try and escape so he can violently attack them. This method is a unique and disturbing characteristic of the killer. The film notably avoids showing the actual abuse, instead focusing on the terrified expressions of the boys at the moment of their deaths, powerfully highlighting The Grabber’s cruelty.

Finney Was the Only Survivor

The Grabber is a chilling film that sets itself apart from typical slashers. Unlike iconic villains like Jason Voorhees from *Friday the 13th* and Michael Myers from *Halloween*, who are infamous for their brutal, bloody attacks, The Grabber is more disturbing because of the unsettling and bizarre nature of his torture methods. The focus isn’t on the violence itself, but on the creepiness of *how* he torments his victims.

Before Finney, The Grabber had kidnapped and killed five other people – a diverse group including an athlete, a young newspaper delivery person, and someone who used to be a bully. It seemed he chose his victims randomly. The fact that The Grabber killed his own brother, Max, so easily after discovering him was especially disturbing. By the end of the first movie, Finney is the only one of The Grabber’s victims who lives.

The Symbolism of the Black Phone Is a Grounding Concept

In the movie *The Black Phone*, the phone itself is a crucial symbol of a frightening and unsettling situation. For many, especially in the past when communication wasn’t as easy as it is now, a phone represented a vital connection to the outside world. The fact that the villain, The Grabber, says the phone ‘never worked for him’ suggests it was a symbol of hopelessness during his own childhood.

Interestingly, Finney was the first victim able to hear voices through the black phone, highlighting the power of connection and having someone to rely on. The film also includes understated supernatural aspects, and Finney’s ability to communicate with those who have passed might be linked to a family history of psychic gifts.

Gwen Has Psychic Abilities

The movie *The Black Phone* begins with police questioning Gwen at school about the Grabber’s balloons – something the public hasn’t been told. This scene reveals Gwen has premonitions, allowing her to see past events and gain insights into the case that others miss. We also learn her mother shared this psychic ability but tragically took her own life because of it. This has left Gwen’s father fearful and prone to outbursts, worried his daughter will suffer the same fate.

Finally, Gwen’s father believes in her visions when she explains they could lead them to Finney. In the end, Gwen guided the police to what she believed was the Grabber’s house, but it was actually the house across the street – where he was burying his victims. This allowed Finney to escape, with a little help from the spirits of those who had been taken, and Gwen’s abilities helped those victims finally find rest.

The Ghosts of Previous Victims Play a Critical Role

I’ve noticed some people have issues with the supernatural elements in the film, but honestly, I think they really connect back to the original movie’s themes. While the story definitely revolves around this terrifying kidnapper, ‘The Grabber,’ the ghosts aren’t just thrown in there – they’re a brilliant way of showing how his past actions continue to torment him. It’s like the past literally comes back to haunt him, and it adds a whole other layer to his character.

Throughout much of the movie, viewers believe the ghosts are simply assisting Finney in capturing his killer. But these past victims are more than helpers – they embody the lingering pain and rage of those who didn’t survive. Given the importance of the supernatural elements and their potential return in a follow-up story, the ghosts’ presence indicates a deeper connection: Finney’s ability to interact with the afterlife is likely tied to these past experiences and the emotions of those who suffered.

The Grabber is (Presumably) Dead

The movie culminates in a thrilling showdown where Finney puts everything he learned from past victims into action against The Grabber. The villain is caught off guard by Finney’s fierce resistance, making their brief struggle both surprising and realistic. When The Grabber is shaken by his unmasking, Finney seizes the opportunity, using a cord to defeat him—a final act that honors the boys who came before him.

With the main villain from the first movie dead, many expected a new antagonist in the sequel. Instead, Ethan Hawke returns as The Grabber, now in an undead form. The new film will feature a villain similar to Freddy Krueger, who terrorizes people while they sleep. Although this is a departure from the original story, the themes of spirits and powerful dreams were important parts of *The Black Phone*.

2025-10-16 18:13