I was really surprised by how popular *The Black Phone* became when it came out in 2022! Considering it only cost around $16-18 million to make, earning over $161 million at the box office was incredible – it was a huge win for Blumhouse. Honestly, I thought that meant they’d leave the story alone, since the first movie wrapped things up pretty neatly with the Grabber gone and Finney and Gwen safe together. But, let’s be real, a sequel felt inevitable because of the money. Thankfully, *The Black Phone 2* actually delivers! It doesn’t just rehash the first movie; it introduces a new angle that builds on what we already know and leans even further into that unique blend of horror and thriller elements.
Four years after the terrifying events of *The Black Phone*, Finney and Gwen are still deeply affected. Finney, haunted by his kidnapping and forced to defend himself, has become an angry and withdrawn teenager, isolating himself from everyone but his family. Gwen, labeled an outcast because of her perceived psychic abilities, struggles with being different at school. Their already strained relationship faces a new challenge when a connection to the afterlife leads them to Alpine Lake, a Christian youth camp with surprising ties to their mother and the original killer.
Although seeing the connections for yourself is best done in a movie theater, *The Black Phone 2* feels genuinely well-made and expands on the original story without breaking its established rules. Director Scott Derickson seems more interested in fully exploring the possibilities of the world he created. This leads to a surprisingly thrilling and captivating experience, especially in the first hour. However, the movie does suffer from some uneven pacing and struggles with sudden changes in mood. These issues don’t ruin the sequel, but they do hold it back from being truly exceptional.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
| PROS | CONS |
| Stylish and atmospheric direction from Scott Derrickson | Overly sentimental emotional scenes that feel out of place |
| Visually stunning dream sequences with analog-horror flair | Heavy-handed exposition that slows the story |
| Moody, well-lit cinematography that enhances tension | Underused Christian camp setting with shallow thematic payoff |
| Expands the original’s mythology without breaking continuity | Pacing issues in the second half |
| Strong first half with gripping horror and mystery elements | |
| High production quality that feels cinematic and polished |
At Its Best, The Black Phone 2 Is Enthralling
One of the first things you’ll notice about *The Black Phone 2* is its striking visual style. While the original film effectively captured the 1970s atmosphere, the sequel clearly benefited from a larger $30 million budget, resulting in a more polished and visually impressive experience. The film delves further into Gwen’s psychic abilities, seamlessly shifting between real-world scenes and haunting, dreamlike sequences. These visions are particularly striking, featuring a grainy texture reminiscent of classic analog horror, and often employ unique editing and camera angles that hint at found footage aesthetics.
As a horror fan, I have to say the dream sequences in *The Black Phone 2* are seriously unsettling. They barely use any dialogue, just pure atmosphere. The new composer, Atticus Derickson, really nailed the score – it’s all synths and builds this incredible tension, especially whenever Gwen closes her eyes. It’s like your own heartbeat is echoing in the theater! It creates this unique visual and auditory language that perfectly conveys the film’s dive into Gwen’s past and the danger she faces. The sound, the visuals, and the fear just all blend together flawlessly.
Pär M. Ekberg’s cinematography is excellent throughout *The Black Phone 2*, especially considering most of the story takes place at night and in snowy landscapes. Many recent films prioritize darkness over clear visuals, but this sequel avoids that pitfall. Every scene, even those filmed at night, is easy to see, and the occasional use of blue tones adds a stylish touch to the overall look.
The impressive technical aspects of *The Black Phone 2* quickly draw you into its unsettling blend of a serial killer investigation and supernatural mystery. The first hour focuses on a gradual descent into darkness as Gwen and Finney uncover secrets about their mother, the Grabber, and their connection to the spirit world. A new mystery also unfolds, centered around the disappearance of three children at Alpine Lake twenty years before the film’s events.
About halfway through, *The Black Phone 2* takes a surprising turn, changing the direction of the story. Though this shift isn’t entirely smooth, it gives director Scott Derrickson room to showcase his dark imagination with stunning visuals that blur the line between dreams and reality. It becomes clear the film is heavily inspired by *A Nightmare on Elm Street*, and that ultimately makes it a stronger movie.
The Black Phone 2 Struggles With Pacing and Tone
While *The Black Phone 2* has plenty of good qualities, it’s not without flaws. The script sometimes struggles to create suspense naturally while also making sure viewers understand the supernatural elements, resulting in awkward moments where characters have to explain things to each other. The movie also feels a bit long at nearly two hours. Once the plot becomes predictable, the ending drags, ultimately slowing down the story’s momentum.
Like the first film, *The Black Phone 2* falters when it tries to focus on teenage drama. Director Scott Derickson is a master of horror, expertly building suspense and delivering genuinely frightening scenes. However, the movie’s emotional moments don’t fare as well. These scenes, meant to give the young characters depth, often feel overly sentimental and disrupt the dark tone of the film, even with a talented cast. While the movie aims for a hopeful message, these awkward moments are arguably its biggest weakness.
Ultimately, the setting of *The Black Phone 2* feels underutilized. Placing the story at a Christian youth camp hints at deeper themes about faith and a higher power, but the script doesn’t fully explore these ideas. It avoids making a clear statement about Christianity, leading to superficial conversations that don’t really contribute to the story or character development. This is especially noticeable given the film’s lengthy runtime.
As a horror fan, I really enjoyed *The Black Phone 2*. It’s a genuinely thrilling and scary movie, making it a perfect watch, especially during spooky season! While it doesn’t quite reach ‘instant classic’ status – it has a few issues holding it back – it’s just as good as the first film. The sequel manages to keep things fresh and engaging. And honestly, if they ever make a third one, I’d be first in line – I’m really curious to see what director Scott Derrickson comes up with next.
The Black Phone 2 hits theaters on October 16th.
Read More
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Preview: Marvel Tokon’s Biggest Battle Isn’t in the Arena
- Taylor Swift’s Life of a Showgirl Songs Inspired by Travis Kelce
- How the Marvel Multiverse Works
- When Are New Episodes of Building the Band Dropping on Netflix?
- WWE’s John Cena Just Delivered All-Time Moment of Farewell Tour (And It May Never Be Matched)
- Borderlands 4’s Global Release Timings Revealed
- Beloved Fall Movie Returns to Streaming As Sequel Production Wraps (And You Can Watch It Free)
- Silent Hill F Enjoyed an Outstanding PS5 Debut in Japan
- Dragon Ball Daima Ruined a Crucial Fight in Super & It’s Often Overlooked
2025-10-16 14:13