Black Phone 2

Synopsis: Bad dreams haunt 15-year-old Gwen as she receives calls from the black phone and sees disturbing visions of three boys being stalked at a winter camp. Accompanied by her brother, Finn, they head to the camp to solve the mystery, only to confront the Grabber -- a killer who's grown even more powerful in death. 

Movie Review:

"Black Phone 2" is directed by Scott Derrickson, who is back after the 2021 surprise horror hit based on a short story. Once again, this sequel is a solid, stylized, and entertaining horror film that aims to differentiate itself from the original by expanding the lore and mythology, making it even more thrilling.

Mason Thames reprises his role as Finney Blake, now 17 years old and suffering from severe PTSD due to the events of the first film. He delivers a fantastic performance as a character still grappling with trauma and guilt that continues to haunt him. I appreciated how they developed his character, making it relatable to how a typical 17-year-old copes with such heavy issues.

Madeleine McGraw is back as Fin's sister Gwen, who is now 15, and she completely steals the spotlight. She's strong, fearless, and hilarious, delivering some of the funniest lines in the film, which made her my favorite character. I also loved how the story focuses more on Gwen and her connection to her mother, adding depth and emotional weight to the narrative.

Ethan Hawke returns as the Grabber, now a haunting presence for both siblings. He gives another chilling and intense performance as this deranged serial killer, who is even more terrifying in death but possesses greater power as a ghost. The sequel includes some of the funniest moments with perfectly timed humor that had me laughing out loud.

With a great supporting cast, including Miguel Mora, Jeremy Davis, and Ariana Rivas, who all portray characters I cared about, I just wished they had more screen time. I loved how every dream-like sequence felt like a nostalgic throwback to 80s horror films, complete with stylish and chilling imagery that kept me on the edge of my seat.

However, I was a bit let down by some of the less creative jump scares that felt predictable and made the film seem generic at times. It does take a while to pick up speed, but once it does, it's a blast to watch. While I enjoyed the fun third act that gave off "Nightmare on Elm Street" vibes, but honestly, it felt a bit silly, chaotic, and out of place. Even though the story was weak, "Black Phone 2" still brings the creative style, scares, and characters I loved, so I'm giving it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Director: Scott Derrickson 

Cast: Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Miguel Mora, Jeremy Davies, Arianna Rivas, Maev Beaty, Graham Abbey, James Ransom, Anna Lore, Simon Webster, Shepherd Munroe, Chase B.Robertson with Demian Bichir and Ethan Hawke 

Runtime: 114 Minutes