Pointless sequels are a dime a dozen within the horror style. For each Aliens and Evil Useless II, there are many Blair Witch 2s and Exorcist 2s. When it was introduced that Blumhouse can be producing a sequel to 2021’s The Black Telephone, a grisly serial killer story based mostly on a story by Joe Hill, there was the lingering query of why, precisely, this sequel wanted to exist.
In any case, Ethan Hawke’s The Grabber was murdered by Mason Thames’ Finney on the finish of the primary movie, and all appeared properly of their North Denver suburb. But, director Scott Derrickson and his co-writer C. Robert Cargill heeded the ominous name and Black Telephone 2 was born. Thames and Hawke are again for the sequel, as is Madeleine McGraw as Gwen, Finney’s sister.
Black Telephone 2 Is Enjoyable… To A Level
Black Telephone 2 picks up a few years after the occasions of the primary movie, the place Finney was rescued from The Grabber’s basement because of his sister’s burgeoning psychic talents. Although integral to the movie, Finney takes a backseat on this sequel, with Gwen coming to the fore as her psychic talents join her to The Grabber and reveal a legacy of horror that has been handed down by their mom.
When Finney and Gwen are drawn to Alpine Lake winter camp, together with Gwen’s love curiosity Ernesto (Miguel Mora), they’re tasked with discovering extra victims of The Grabber, who’s now haunting the camp because of the lingering ghosts of his previous victims. Now, The Grabber manifests in Gwen’s goals, shot in Tremendous 8 and given a decidedly retro really feel akin to the horrifying dwelling movies from Sinister, additionally directed by Derrickson.
The Grabber’s energy can now transcend the spirit realm, and he reaches by the veil to torment Gwen, Finney, Ernesto, and a colourful group of Camp Alpine employees, together with Demián Bichir’s supervisor, Mando.
That Black Telephone 2 is beholden to the occasions of the primary movie is each a blessing and a curse. It expands on the mythology of The Grabber, connecting him to Finney and Gwen on a deeper stage. However, one can not help however marvel if that is not holding the movie again. The movie wears its influences on its sleeve because it goes for a Nightmare on Elm Avenue-esque hellscape imaginative and prescient, however in being so related to Gwen and Finney’s story, The Grabber is beholden to their emotional journey.
It is a cliche-riddled journey about unearthing the ghosts of the previous and shifting on from lingering trauma, however Thames and McGraw are worthy of carrying the story, even by stilted dialogue and predictable plot developments. Black Telephone 2‘s strengths lie within the pure silliness of the proceedings, although.
The film performs issues straight, however when you may have a lady flying by a kitchen or Hawke ice skating over a frozen lake, it teeters into camp. Hawke is as dedicated as ever and much more sinister than he was within the first movie, however The Grabber is much less of a strong fixture as an alternative of a lingering specter, underutilizing Hawke’s energy in favor of Gwen and Finney’s story.
Black Telephone 2 remains to be a strong horror movie, with gory kills and thrilling set items. However the query of why nonetheless lingers over the movie, even because it delivers on its many guarantees. There is a world the place The Grabber turns into an up to date model of Freddy Krueger if Derrickson and co. do not let the mythology they’ve fleshed out right here weigh the franchise down.
- Launch Date
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October 17, 2025
- Runtime
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114 Minutes
- Director
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Scott Derrickson
- Writers
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C. Robert Cargill, Scott Derrickson, Joe Hill
- Producers
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Jason Blum, C. Robert Cargill