Prepare to be terrified! The chilling saga of The Black Phone continues, and this time, The Grabber is more insidious than ever. But how can a dead man still haunt the living? That's the question at the heart of Black Phone 2, and a newly released clip offers a glimpse into the supernatural horror that awaits.
Remember The Black Phone from 2021? It was a terrifying adaptation of Joe Hill's short story, brought to life by Universal Pictures, Blumhouse Productions, and director Scott Derrickson. The first film, made on a modest $16 million budget, became a global box office hit, raking in over $160 million. Given that success, a sequel was almost inevitable, even though the original seemed to wrap up the story quite neatly. But here's where it gets controversial... some fans felt the first film was perfect as a standalone piece, and a sequel might dilute its impact. What do you think?
Mark your calendars for October 17, 2025, because that's when Black Phone 2 hits theaters. Filming wrapped up in January, and anticipation is building. IGN recently dropped a clip that reveals how Ethan Hawke's terrifying villain, The Grabber, is operating in this new chapter. And trust us, it's not just a repeat performance. The child killer has evolved, seemingly gaining supernatural abilities. You can find the clip at the end of this article and see for yourself!
Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill, the dynamic duo behind the first film's screenplay, have reunited to pen Black Phone 2. Derrickson also returns to direct, with Jason Blum and Ryan Turek of Blumhouse once again producing. This means the creative team that made the first movie scary are back to deliver more for the sequel.
For those who need a refresher, The Black Phone revolved around Finney Shaw, a 13-year-old boy abducted by a sadistic killer and imprisoned in a soundproof basement. His only lifeline was a disconnected black phone that somehow allowed him to hear the voices of The Grabber's previous victims. These ghostly voices were determined to help Finney avoid their fate. If you're curious to delve deeper into the source material, you can find Joe Hill's original short story in his collection 20th Century Ghosts. It's a truly unsettling read!
Now, let's talk about the cast. Mason Thames returns as Finney Shaw, alongside Madeleine McGraw as his sister Gwen, Jeremy Davies as their father Terrence, and Miguel Mora as Robin (though this time playing a different character named Ernesto). And of course, Ethan Hawke reprises his role as The Grabber. New faces joining the cast include Demián Bichir, Arianna Rivas, and Anna Lore.
Blumhouse has provided an official synopsis for Black Phone 2: "Ethan Hawke returns to the most sinister role of his career as The Grabber seeks vengeance on Finn (Mason Thames) from beyond the grave by menacing Finn’s younger sister, Gwen (Madeleine McGraw). As Finn, now 17, struggles with life after his captivity, the headstrong 15-year-old Gwen begins receiving calls in her dreams from the black phone and seeing disturbing visions of three boys being stalked at a winter camp known as Alpine Lake. Determined to solve the mystery and end the torment for both her and her brother, Gwen persuades Finn to visit the camp during a winter storm. There, she uncovers a shattering intersection between The Grabber and her own family’s history. Together, she and Finn must confront a killer who has grown more powerful in death and more significant to them than either could imagine."
And this is the part most people miss... The synopsis hints at a deeper connection between The Grabber and Gwen's family. Could The Grabber be a manifestation of some past trauma or a dark secret? This opens up a whole new level of psychological horror!
Our very own Ryan Cultrera at JoBlo had an early viewing of Black Phone 2. While he noted that it didn't quite capture the same freshness as the original, he still gave it a solid 7/10 rating. You can read his full review here.
So, will you be venturing into the darkness to see Black Phone 2 on the big screen? After watching the clip, share your thoughts in the comments below! Are you excited about the supernatural twist? Do you think the sequel can live up to the original? Or do you think the first film should have stood alone? Let's discuss!
