- The sequel resurrects Ethan Hawke’s The Grabber as a supernatural villain, drawing unfavorable comparisons to a humorless Freddy Krueger.
- Critics are panning the film for its overly complicated and confusing plot, which undermines the potential for genuine scares.
- Starring Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw, the sequel is described as an “overstuffed” and “unconvincing” attempt to launch a new horror franchise for Blumhouse.
- The review concludes with a strong recommendation to skip the film, labeling it a “needlessly long” disappointment.
Following the surprise $161 million success of its predecessor, The Black Phone 2 was poised to be a major horror event. However, early reviews suggest the line has gone dead, with the sequel being described as a significant critical misfire that fails to recapture the chilling magic of the original.
A Supernatural Misfire
The primary issue critics have highlighted is the film’s dramatic shift in genre and villainy. The first film ended with the death of the sadistic child-killer known as The Grabber (Ethan Hawke). To continue the story, the sequel resurrects him as a supernatural entity capable of entering the real world through dreams.
This creative choice forces the character into the territory of horror icons like Freddy Krueger, but according to reviews, The Grabber lacks the invention or dark humor that made the Elm Street series a classic. The review notes that Hawke’s performance feels like a “low-lift effort,” with his presence diminished and the character becoming far less frightening than he was as a flesh-and-blood killer.
Confusing Plot and Lost Scares
The story picks up with siblings Finn (Mason Thames) and Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) as they find themselves snowed in at a remote alpine Christian camp. Gwen is led there by visions, while Finn follows to protect her, still grappling with the trauma and anger from his first encounter with The Grabber.
Unfortunately, the script, penned again by director Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill, is criticized for being “ungainly” and “clumsily plotted.” The narrative introduces convoluted rules about how The Grabber can operate, bogging the audience down in confusing mechanics rather than building suspense. A new religious element, positioning the fight as a battle between God and the devil, is also seen as a calculated and unnecessary addition that further overstuffs an already busy plot.
A Desperate Franchise Attempt?
The review positions Black Phone 2 as a desperate bid by production company Blumhouse to secure a much-needed hit after a series of recent box office disappointments. However, the film is labeled an “unconvincing argument for the birth of a new franchise.” At nearly two hours, it is considered needlessly long, and its stylistic choices, such as using a grainy 8mm texture for dream sequences, are deemed ineffective and distracting.
Ultimately, the sequel is seen as a cautionary tale of over-extending a simple, effective concept. The verdict is clear: this is one call that audiences should let go to voicemail.
Black Phone 2 is set to be released in Australian cinemas on October 16 and in the US and UK on October 17.
Image Referance: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oct/16/black-phone-2-review-horror-sequel-ethan-hawke