3 Things You Have to Remember Before The Black Phone 2

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Scott Derrickson’s 2022 film, *The Black Phone*, quickly became a major horror hit. The movie combined a suspenseful thriller set in the 1970s—about a child abduction—with a frightening supernatural element. Critics praised its clever writing and strong acting, and audiences loved it too, helping the film earn over $161 million worldwide on a relatively small $17 million budget. This success led to plans for a sequel, which gained further traction when Joe Hill—the author of the original story—shared his own exciting ideas for continuing the story with the filmmakers.

With *The Black Phone 2* scheduled to release on October 17, 2025, it’s been over three years since the first movie ended. Before seeing the sequel, it’s a good idea to remember the most important events from the original film.

1) Who Is the Grabber and What’s His Fate?

In the movie *The Black Phone*, the main villain, known as “the Grabber” (Ethan Hawke), is a cruel kidnapper and killer of children. He uses black balloons to attract his victims and remains disturbingly calm while committing his crimes, hiding his evil behind a creepy mask. Once a child is captured, he imprisons them in a soundproof basement and subjects them to cruel psychological torment, claiming they are being punished for misbehavior. The film deliberately keeps the Grabber’s background and motivations mysterious, which makes his actions even more frightening.

The Grabber’s terrifying crime spree ends when his last intended victim, Finney (Mason Thames), turns the tables on him. Guided by the ghosts of the boys he previously kidnapped and murdered, Finney cleverly sets a trap. He lures the Grabber into tripping over a wire, causing him to fall and break his leg. In a final, fitting act, Finney uses the cord from the black phone to strangle the Grabber, killing him.

2) What Is the Titular Black Phone?

The old black phone in the story is how supernatural events happen. It’s a disconnected rotary phone in the kidnapper’s basement that shouldn’t work, but it rings for Finney, connecting him to the ghosts of the kidnapper’s past victims. These spirits offer Finney advice based on their own failed escape attempts, helping him create a plan to survive. Interestingly, the phone also bothers the kidnapper, who hears it ringing but thinks it’s just in his head, though it clearly disturbs him. The mysterious phone highlights the movie’s fantastical elements, hinting at how the kidnapper might return in *The Black Phone 2*.

3) What Happens to Finney and Gwen?

In the movie *The Black Phone*, Finney starts as a shy, 13-year-old boy who is often bullied. When he’s kidnapped by a killer known as ‘The Grabber,’ Finney appears to be an easy target because of his quiet personality. But after connecting with spirits through a mysterious black phone, he discovers an inner strength he didn’t know he possessed. This allows him to change from a scared prisoner into someone who actively plans his escape and fights to survive.

Finney’s sister, Gwen, played by Madeleine McGraw, plays a vital role in trying to save him. She has inherited psychic abilities – a gift from their mother – and uses these visions to uncover clues about the kidnapper and where he’s hiding. Even though the police don’t take her seriously and her father struggles with alcohol, Gwen never gives up. Her persistence eventually leads investigators to the kidnapper’s house, coinciding with Finney’s escape. The strong connection between the siblings is the heart of *The Black Phone*, and with a sequel planned four years later, Gwen’s psychic abilities will be key to facing the new, supernatural threats.

What are you looking forward to most in *The Black Phone 2*? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-10-16 21:17