Don’t Pick Up: The Black Phone 2

The Black Phone 2 resurrects the eerie world of Scott Derrickson’s 2022 breakout horror hit, The Black Phone; starring Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, and the infamous Ethan Hawke. The film picks up four years after the events of the first movie, centering on siblings Finney and Gwen as they struggle to rebuild their lives with the lingering trauma of their encounter with The Grabber. Directed by Derrickson, the film has a visual style that leans heavily into archival, lo-fi textures, making the sequel succeed in creating an intoxicating atmosphere. The visuals, especially in the dream sequences, elevate it beyond simple jump-scare horror, creating a haunting experience. This film includes significantly more action than its prequel, yet still delivers a satisfying ending for viewers.

While The Black Phone 2 has received praise from some critics, it’s not without its flaws. For fans of the first film, who enjoyed it because of the more psychologically driven horror, this sequel may feel like it loses some of its unique identity by leaning more heavily into the supernatural powers surrounding the Grabber. Some fans have also critiqued the film’s shift in focus, noting that the sequel centers more on Gwen, whereas the first film was primarily about Finney. Another notable difference to many viewers, is that this film features significantly more jump-scares and graphic violence than its predecessor. The film explicitly depicts the deaths of three young boys, whereas the first film left these events largely to the imagination of the viewer. They may have shown the aftermath, but the actual events were never depicted. While some viewers may enjoy more intensity, others might find it disturbing and shifting from the first thriller.

Possibly the most effective Halloween element of The Black Phone 2 is the mask worn by the Grabber. The design is eery, decaying, and looks almost distorted. To understand its influence on the film and the broader horror genre, we can compare it to some classic examples of horror masks. One mask is from Halloween, the 1978 film with serial killer Michael Myers. His white mask is widely considered one of the most iconic Halloween costumes ever. The mask is expressionless, with a chilling and inhuman look. The next mask is from the 1996 film Scream. The Ghostface mask almost seems like a twisted version of the famous “Scream” painting, turning the familiar expression into something terrifying. The last famous mask is from the 1980 film Friday the 13th, which includes a killer named Jason, and his hockey mask. This mask is more aggressive, and stylized so that it turns Jason into a visual brand. While the Grabber’s mask from The Black Phone 2 might be as instantly recognizable as Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees, the Grabber’s mask offers something fresh for Halloween. His mask has more of a scare and dread factor rather than a popular gimmick.

The Black Phone 2 is a visually compelling and effective horror sequel, leaving many fans satisfied and successfully meeting the high expectations left by the first film. This film had many strong  performances and standout moments, though some fans unfortunately still think it did not live up to the original.