If the first movie was about surviving fear, this one it more like living with its aftermath.
Black Phone 2 is a bit different from your usual standard horror sequel.
Plot Summary of Black Phone 2 (Spoiler-Free)
Finn is older, trying to shake off the trauma that has haunted him since childhood, but he’s not doing a great job, and Gwen, who was a bright, fiery kid in the first movie, is growing into her abilities.
When a series of disturbing dreams leads the siblings to a Christian youth camp during winter, they find themselves navigating more than just physical danger.
There are secrets from their family’s past, questions about faith, and challenges that push both of them emotionally.
Black Phone 2 Review: Is It Worth Watching?
Black Phone 2 manages to do something most sequels fail at – it expands the story in ways that feel natural, while keeping the emotional core intact.
Watching Finn and Gabriel navigate the trauma and family tension was a good direction for the film to go in I think, and Mason Thames nails Finn’s quiet, simmering anger, while Madeleine McGraw brings the perfect mix of fear, mischief, and determination to Gwen, and this sibling bond is what holds the movie together when some of the plot starts to feel a little overstuffed.
Speaking of plot, the movie takes a huge leap in setting this time around, as we’re in a snow covered Christian youth camp, which is visually striking, and there’s something interesting about putting kids in a place that should feel safe, and then showing just how fragile that safety really is.
The dream sequences are probably the crown jewel of this movie, and the parts that fans of the first film will enjoy the most, with a nostalgic vibe that perfectly mirrors Gwen’s experiences.
They’re personal, messy, and a little haunting, and these sequences will (probably) hypnotize you a bit by how intimate and unsettling they are, as it will remind you of the first movie’s clever mix of normality and horror, but this time it feels more like the horror is coming from inside the characters rather than just the environment.
The pacing is a little uneven though, and we there are stretches that feel slow, but that’s balanced out by moments of some genuine tension and surprise, where the fear comes from relationships, memories, and the sense that the past is never really gone.
Ethan Hawke returns of course as the Grabber, but he’s less of a presence here, and while he’s still menacing whenever he appears. I found myself slightly wishing he had a bigger role, but that’s just because Hawke is brilliant and the Grabber is such an iconic villain.
The music by Atticus Derrickson is worth a shout out too, as it has that ‘80s synth vibe, which is both nostalgic and a little unsettling, and it complements the old Super 8 sequences perfectly, and it’s one of those soundtracks that you don’t necessarily notice consciously while watching, but it quietly shapes the tone and gives the film some personality all on its own.
While the story is a bit messy at times in Black Phone 2, it’s messy in a way that feels OK rather than careless even if it does sometime stumble, but it’s emotionally honest, visually creative, and anchored by performances that will make you care.
It’s a sequel that actually wants to say something beyond scares, and for that alone, I respect it.
What I Liked (And What I Didn’t Like)
Pros
Emotional Core
The relationship between Finney and Gwen remains the heart of the film.
Visual Style
The Super 8 style aesthetic for Gwen’s dream sequences, is a very nice touch.
Strong Performances
Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw both deliver.
Themes
I liked this direction it went in with regards to the themes at play – maybe not as exciting as the first film, but I liked it.
Cons
Pacing Issues
The film’s pacing is uneven and inconstient at times.
Excessive Explaination
There are moments where characters explain the plot and their motivations when it wasn’t really needed.
CGI
The use of CGI, particularly in the dream sequences, was a little distracting.
Religious Overtones
The film’s explores faith in a way that felt a bit heavy handed at times.
Tone
The balance between the horror and emotion is a bit off at times.
Who Might Like Black Phone 2
- Fans of the first Black Phone movie
- Those who like horror with psychological and emotional depth
- Fans of dream sequences and creative cinematography
- Anyone open to slow burn horror over jump scares
- People interested in trauma focused storytelling
Who Might Dislike Black Phone 2
- Those who prefer tight, fast-paced horror
- Fans expecting nonstop scares or jump-scare-heavy horror
- Viewers who need perfectly polished storytelling
- Those who wanted Ethan Hawke’s Grabber front and center
- People who dislike uneven pacing or messy plot threads
- Anyone who doesn’t enjoy slower, emotional horror
Final Verdict: Did I Enjoy Watching Black Phone 2?
After sitting with it for a while, I can say that I did enjoy Black Phone 2, but maybe not as much as I was hoping, but it’s the kind of sequel that earns your attention.
The movie takes risks, and some of them don’t land, but those risks do give it personality, as it’s not just trying to just copy the first film, as it’s trying to explore what comes after fear.
Black Phone 2 is worth seeing, if only to watch two kids face their fears, confront their past, and remind us that sometimes surviving isn’t enough – you also have to learn how to live after.
Black Phone 2 Trailer
Simon Leasher
A lover of cinema for over 35 years, I have watched many films from around the world in many different genres, yet I still normally always come back to trashy slasher horror films when in doubt. More
And yes, The Godfather 2 is better than The Godfather.
Discover more from Simon Leasher Film Reviews
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Be First to Comment