The Black Phone 2 (2025) is written and directed by Scott Derrickson, the mind behind Sinister and the original The Black Phone. While Derrickson’s return should have elevated the sequel, the film instead leans too heavily on exposition, losing much of the dread and mystery that made the first entry so chilling. The scares feel explained rather than experienced, and the pacing suffers because of it.
Mason Thames, reprising his role from the original, delivers a respectable performance. Now older, he brings maturity to the character, though much of the fear and vulnerability that made him compelling in the first film is gone. His performance is serviceable but lacks the spark of discovery the story needs.
Ethan Hawke, known for Training Day and Dead Poets Society, returns as The Grabber. His presence still commands the screen, but his reduced role feels like a missed opportunity. The movie never finds a figure as haunting or magnetic as his portrayal in the original.
Madeleine McGraw returns and gives the film’s best performance. She’s expressive, emotionally grounded, and manages to convey genuine terror and resolve without ever feeling forced. Her acting keeps the story from falling apart completely.
Arianna Rivas, seen earlier this year in A Working Man, has a small but memorable part that adds texture to the story. She makes the most of limited screen time and stands out as one of the film’s surprises.
Ultimately, The Black Phone 2 fails to capture the unsettling tone of the original. Despite strong performances, especially from McGraw, Derrickson’s overreliance on explanation dulls the edge of what could have been another chilling, see what I did there, chapter. Result: C+
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