“Black Phone 2” Delivers Grisly Sequel, But Relies Heavily on Horror Tropes
AUSTIN, TX – Scott DerricksonS “Black Phone 2,” premiering at Fantastic Fest 2025, plunges audiences back into the terrifying world established by the 2021 hit, but struggles to escape the shadows of its predecessors and iconic horror films.The sequel, set to release in theaters on October 17 via Global Pictures, revisits the chilling case of “The Grabber” and expands upon the supernatural elements introduced in the original.
The film introduces new characters alongside returning faces,including Ernesto (miguel Mora),brother to a character from the first film,and gwen’s (Brooklynn Prince) suitor.Demián Bichir portrays Armando, a camp supervisor with a direct connection to the campground’s dark history, and Arianna Rivas plays his equestrian niece, Mercedes. While attempts to infuse the dialog with Latinx flair are largely unsuccessful, Bichir “does a heroic job carrying the burden of explaining the film’s lore,” according to IndieWire’s review.
Though, the screenplay is identified as a key weakness, burdened by “cringeworthy dialogue” and “unwieldy chunks of exposition.” The film also explores themes of Heaven and Hell, and the validity of Christian belief, a common trope in horror, but the review notes an “inconsistent way in which it’s applied,” ultimately abandoning a possibly insightful critique of organized religion.
Despite these narrative shortcomings, Derrickson excels in delivering visually striking horror sequences. A standout scene features the spectral appearance of boys murdered on the campgrounds in 1957, rendered with “creative gore effects” including a boy’s head being sliced diagonally on a windowpane. The film also pays homage to “A Nightmare on Elm Street” with effects that manipulate bodies like marionettes.
Ultimately, the review acknowledges that much of the film’s strength derives from established horror conventions and Derrickson’s previous work.”All of the best things about this movie come from other movies,” the review states, drawing comparisons to “The Shining” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” While enjoyable, this reliance on familiar elements prevents “Black Phone 2” from exceeding “just good enough.”
IndieWire awarded the film a grade of B-.