Imagine a villain so sinister, he haunts your dreams from beyond the grave. That's exactly what Ethan Hawke's character, The Grabber, brings to the table in Black Phone 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2021 horror hit. But here's where it gets controversial: while the first film was a tightly wound, self-contained story, the sequel takes a supernatural turn that might divide fans. Is it a bold evolution or a misstep? You decide.
Back in 2021, Universal Pictures, Blumhouse Productions, and director Scott Derrickson teamed up to adapt Joe Hill’s chilling short story, The Black Phone. The film, made on a modest $16 million budget, shocked everyone by raking in over $160 million worldwide. Its success was no accident—the story of Finney Shaw, a clever 13-year-old abducted by a sadistic killer, struck a nerve with audiences. Trapped in a soundproof basement, Finney discovers a disconnected phone that allows him to hear the voices of the killer’s past victims. These spectral allies guide him in a fight for survival. If you’re curious about the source material, Hill’s short story is part of his collection 20th Century Ghosts, available for purchase online.
Fast forward to Black Phone 2, and the stakes are higher than ever. With filming wrapped in January and the release just around the corner, IGN has dropped a clip that reveals The Grabber’s new, supernatural twist. And this is the part most people miss: the sequel isn’t just a rehash of the original. It dives deeper into the psychological and supernatural, exploring how The Grabber’s malevolence lingers even after death. The clip showcases Hawke’s chilling performance, leaving fans both excited and uneasy.
Derrickson and co-writer C. Robert Cargill return to pen the screenplay, with Derrickson also directing. They’re joined by producers Jason Blum and Ryan Turek, ensuring the sequel stays true to the franchise’s roots. The core cast is back, including Mason Thames as Finney, Madeleine McGraw as his sister Gwen, Jeremy Davies as their father Terrence, and Miguel Mora, who plays a new character, Ernesto, after his previous role as Robin. Hawke reprises his role as The Grabber, joined by newcomers Demián Bichir, Arianna Rivas, and Anna Lore.
The official synopsis teases a gripping narrative: Finney, now 17, struggles with the aftermath of his captivity, while his 15-year-old sister Gwen begins receiving eerie calls from the black phone in her dreams. These visions lead her to a winter camp called Alpine Lake, where she uncovers a shocking connection between The Grabber and her family’s past. Together, the siblings must face a killer who’s grown more powerful—and personal—in death. But here’s the real question: does this supernatural twist enhance the story, or does it stray too far from what made the original so effective?
JoBlo’s Ryan Cultrera gave the sequel a 7/10, noting it lacks the freshness of its predecessor but still delivers solid thrills. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer, Black Phone 2 promises to be a polarizing entry in the franchise. Will you be watching? Check out the clip and let us know your thoughts in the comments. What do you think? Is the supernatural turn a genius move or a step too far?
