Vengeance Is Mine: Black Phone 2 (2025) Review
The Grabber returns and he's taking no prisoners. Or is he?
Hell is ice. And what a hell it is.
Black Phone 2, directed by Scott Derrickson, picks up four years after the events of the first film. Finn (Mason Thames) is struggling to find his footing after the trauma of being kidnapped, while Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) deals with cryptic dreams about her mother and the disappearances of three boys from a youth camp where she worked as a counselor. Together, they must confront the lingering memories of The Grabber, but this time, the horror is more psychological, more insidious, and yet eerily familiar.
Derrickson and writer C. Robert Cargill take their time reintroducing us to Finn and Gwen, reminding us of the lives they’ve endured and the bonds that have strengthened since we've last seen them. Finn is smoking away the days, isolating himself. This grounds the film in a raw and relatable way, while Gwen’s increasingly vivid dreams move the narrative forward, blending the supernatural with a coming-of-age struggle. The film does a masterful job of balancing character study with suspense, giving us moments to breathe before plunging us back into fear.
One of the strengths of Black Phone 2 lies in its expansion of the original lore. Cargill, drawing inspiration from horror author, Joe Hill, dives deeper into the mythology surrounding The Grabber, revealing a world that feels layered, and terrifyingly close to the characters’ realities. The story unfolds with a patience that pays off. The clues and connections keep you invested in both the mystery and the characters’ emotional journeys. It’s a sequel that respects its source material while taking the initiative to grow beyond it.
The performances are noteworthy. Thames’ Finn conveys a quiet vulnerability which makes his eventual courage feel earned. McGraw’s Gwen is intuitive and haunted by visions she doesn’t fully understand yet.
Sound design and visual cues play a significant role in heightening suspense. While Black Phone 2 is more introspective than the first, it doesn’t shy away from moments of violence, blood and terror. Each sequence is intentional to the narrative.
Ultimately, Black Phone 2 is a worthy sequel that blends horror, emotion, and storytelling. It’s a film about trauma and survival and the ways children navigate danger and grief. Derrickson and Cargill have delivered a sequel that honors the original while offering a fresh, darker, and more complex experience for horror fans. The Grabber is back, yes—but this time, the real question is who will emerge the victor, and who will be changed forever.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5/5
Note: This film was reviewed during Fantastic Fest 2025 and will hit theaters in October 17, 2025.