Black Phone 2: The Ultimate 80s Horror Throwback?

The Black Phone was a grounded, tense horror film that balanced supernatural elements with gritty, serial-killer realism. Its sequel, Black Phone 2, looks at that balance and throws it out the window. Director Scott Derrickson and writer C. Robert Cargill have returned to craft a sequel that goes full Dream Warriors, turning “The Grabber” (Ethan Hawke) from a creepy kidnapper into a powerful, reality-warping poltergeist.

Set four years after the original, the film follows Finney (Mason Thames) and Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), now older and dealing with the trauma of their past. When Gwen’s visions lead them to a winter camp where the Grabber once worked as a janitor, they find themselves trapped in a snowstorm, fighting a ghost that can now physically hurt them—awake or asleep.

“This is Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors meets Friday the 13th. It’s hokey, over-the-top, and leans heavily into 80s horror tropes, but it commits to the bit. It’s a fun, wild ride that abandons the grounded tone of the first for pure supernatural chaos.”

If you wanted more of the same, you might be disappointed. But if you wanted the series to hit the gas, this sequel floors it.

The Grabber Returns (With Powers)

The biggest shift is Ethan Hawke’s villain. He is no longer just a man in a mask; he is a full-blown entity. The film establishes that the camp’s frozen lake—where he dumped his first victims—gives him power. He can manipulate objects, cause fires, and attack the kids in their dreams with physical consequences in the real world.

This leads to some “juicy” and surprisingly gruesome kills. The film does not shy away from violence against its younger cast, giving it a mean streak that adds to the stakes. The dream sequences are filmed in a distinct, grainy 8mm style that, while jarring at first, effectively separates the two realities.

Dealing With Trauma (And Ghosts)

Despite the supernatural ramp-up, the emotional core remains strong. Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw deliver excellent performances, selling the weight of their shared trauma. The script allows these characters time to breathe, leading to a cathartic, emotional breakdown before the final showdown that feels earned.

Even the father gets a redemption arc, stepping up when it matters most rather than falling back into the “useless dad” trope. It’s a surprising amount of heart for a movie that ends with a ghost fight on a frozen lake.

Jumping the Shark?

For some, this shift will be too much. The finale involves summoned ghosts beating up the Grabber, ice skates made of frozen water, and a level of campiness that borders on ridiculous. It trades the tight tension of the basement for the spectacle of a superhero battle.

If you can accept that The Black Phone is now a franchise about magical ghost kids fighting super-powered serial killers, you’ll have a blast. If you wanted another gritty thriller, this might feel like a cartoon.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Ethan Hawke: Still terrifying, even as a ghost.	Tonal Whiplash: It feels like a different genre than the first film.
The Cast: Strong performances from the returning kids and the dad.	Hokey Finale: The final battle is borderline superhero silliness.
Creative Kills: It doesn’t hold back on the gore and violence.	Contrived Plot: The “snowed in at a camp” setup is a bit cliché.
Satisfying Ending: Offers a complete conclusion without baiting a sequel.	Dream Logic: The rules of the dream world can be inconsistent.
Atmosphere: Great sound design and spooky winter setting.