Answering the Call of the Black Phone 2 (FANTASTIC) is a No Brainer

Title: Black Phone 2

First Non-Festival Release: October 15, 2025 (Theatrical Release)

Director: Scott Derrickson

Writer: C. Robert Cargill, Scott Derrickson, Joe Hill

Runtime: 114 Minutes

Starring: Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Ethan Hawke

Where to Watch: Check out where to find it here

This film’s review was written after its screening at the Fantastic Film Festival in 2025.

Four years after Finney, now Finn (Mason Thames), defeated the infamous serial killer known as The Grabber (Ethan Hawke), his sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) begins having violent dreams about a Christian youth camp in the mountains. They learn that their mother was a counselor there many years ago. After some convincing by Gwen, Finn agrees to work as counselors in training during winter break with Robin’s brother Ernesto (Miguel Mora). There, they learn that The Grabber’s killing spree started long before them.

Equal parts harrowing and heartbreaking, Black Phone 2 re-captures the magic of the first while deepening the narrative.

Continuing the mystery behind The Grabber, Black Phone 2 deepens its mythology while still honoring the characters that made the first special. Shifting from the trickier kids in danger premise to a surreal teenage nightmare is a bold move that pays off well for Black Phone 2. Continuing the story after the death of its main villain, this sequel imagines what more there is to the story. Black Phone 2 cleverly subverts the formula that makes the first work so well while still holding on to the DNA that makes these films so treasured. That heart comes down to the familial story of Finn, Gwen, and their dad.

While Finn’s story may take a slight backseat in this sequel, Black Phone 2 hands the reigns over to Gwen. Gwen’s story in part one felt very confined, likely due to the logistics of Finn and Gwen being physically held apart from the other. In the sequel, however, Gwen is given much more agency in how she uses her powers to fight back against The Grabber. The move pays off. Gwen’s journey adds depth to the family dynamic, changes what is known about The Grabber without betraying what has already been established, and, most importantly, allows The Grabber to return.

Madeleine McGraw captivates once again as Gwen, queen of all precocious pre-teen/teenage girl horror characters. Gwen’s struggle over her powers, faith, and prolonged feelings of guilt over the slurry of deaths that have haunted her for the last seven years come to life in a dazzling display of angst and fury. The writing is already there for Gwen to really kick ass this time around, and McGraw proves it with her performance.

These characters only work because of the fantastic performances from McGraw and Mason Thames, as well as their chemistry. With the benefit of working the first film together, the sibling energy between McGraw and Thames remains strong. Their charm extends beyond their fraternal bonding. Despite their character’s arguments and frustrations with the other, the duo strike pitch perfect chemistry that makes the friction feel authentic. Much like the psychic connection that they share, their synchronicity allows each to play to their strengths and cover for each other when they fall into danger. Finding good child actors is difficult enough. The Black Phone movies luck out with two exceptional young talents leading the already quite talented ensemble.

Of course, it’s impossible to comment without mentioning Ethan Hawke’s absolutely chilling performance as The Grabber. An iconic killer in his own right, Hawke is unnerving with his portrayal of the twisted serial killer. Never content to phone it in, Hawke gives The Grabber enough depth to avoid the one-note villain performances that pollute the genre. Imposing but not indomitable, sadistic yet restrained, unpredictable to a degree, The Grabber is many things at once, but always consistent in how he operates. Black Phone 2 keeps The Grabber’s legacy intact while furthering the film’s understanding of its strange little world.

While not as scary as the first, the emotional core behind the story grows even stronger with this particularly affecting take on shared family grief and the ways trauma takes hold. Grief and trauma have held the family captive and Black Phone 2 serves as the release that was so needed after Finn is abducted. These moments, especially those shared between Finn and Gwen, become the focal point of Black Phone 2 and not its supernaturally terrifying baddie. The relationships make the film good while the scares just add to its charm.

Black Phone 2 is a strange follow up to the smash Blumhouse hit but it works on every level. Emotionally charged, imaginative, and a little bit angsty for good measure, Black Phone 2 dials up even more energy than the first. Thames, McGraw, and Hawke continue to lead the series with aplomb, bringing life to the genuinely compelling characters. The win Blumhouse sorely needed, Black Phone 2 is hopefully the first of many sequels for the supernatural slasher franchise.

Overall Score? 9/10