The phone is ringing again, only this time, the voice on the other end sounds closer. Grab your popcorn, horror fans. The Black Phone 2 is now in theaters and is here to haunt your dreams all over again, bringing the same chilling feel and psychological horror that made the first film a sleeper hit. The sequel to the 2022 breakthrough film The Black Phone promises more mystery, more scares, and a closer look into the dark world that left audiences sleeping with their lights on.
With the initial backlash The Black Phone faced, fans were skeptical if The Black Phone 2 would be any better. The original film followed a kidnapped young boy named Finney who was able to communicate with his kidnapper’s previous victims through a disconnected phone on the wall. This chilling concept, matched with Ethan Hawke’s eerie performance as “The Grabber,” turned the movie into a surprising success. While many viewers thought the plot was predictable, others applauded the tension, the 1970s setting, and the emotional depth presented in the film.
The Black Phone 2 builds on that foundation; the sequel takes a deeper dive into the supernatural elements from the first movie. Fans can expect more focus on trauma that lingers with survivors and the power of the phone itself. This movie combines emotional storytelling with psychological horror, demonstrating true fear does not always stem from what we see, but from what we remember.
Director Scott Derrickson makes a return to the franchise, bringing to the table his signature combination of slow-building suspense and bone-chilling visuals. Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw reprise their iconic roles as brother and sister, Finney and Gwen, as well as an unexpected return from Miguel Mora. Ethan Hawke also returns to his role that fans did not expect to see again, in addition to many fresh faces that bring new energy to the story. Visually, the film once again captures the same nostalgic, “gritty” feeling of the original. The vintage camera work, eerie sound design, and dark lighting make audiences feel caught in the same nightmare as the characters. Each ring of the black phone sends chills shooting down the spine as the tension builds until it is almost unbearable. (IMDb, October 17, 2025)
Critics have been divided; some praise the sequel for adding to the story in new ways, however, others feel it does not match the emotional punch of the original movie. The film holds a 73% critics-score on Rotten Tomatoes, marking a slight downgrade compared to the original (Rotten Tomatoes, October 19, 2025). Helen O’Hara with Empire Magazine stated, “It’s not as scary or as effective as the first film, but points for the performances, and for trying hard to do something different and fresh.” Viewers agree that the atmosphere and acting performances remain top tier, even though some think the movie was not as scary as the first one.
For horror fans, this sequel proves that The Black Phone was not just a one-hit wonder; it is a story that continues ringing in our minds long after the credits roll. It is not only about the jump scares. The Black Phone 2 makes audiences think about loss, fear, and the things that never truly go away. The movie is gripping, dark, and filled to the brim with unexpected twists that keep you guessing until the very end. Whether you absolutely loved the first one or missed watching it, The Black Phone 2 is definitely worth seeing, just maybe not by yourself.
