Ahead of its mid-October release, a verdict for Black Phone 2 has arrived thanks to critic reviews. Directed by Scott Derrickson, the highly anticipated horror sequel looks to up the supernatural vibes as Ethan Hawke’s The Grabber has been resurrected to make your dreams a living nightmare.
As of this writing, Black Phone 2 has a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 9 reviews. Most reviews have been complementary of Derrickson’s direction and the performances of the cast, which sees Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw and Ethan Hawke once again return in prominent roles. Slashfilm praised the sequel for being able to pivot from the original’s premise and position The Grabber as an “undead nightmare” that haunts the cast from the first film. If you got Freddy Krueger vibes from the trailer, it seems like that was no mistake. Slant Magazine states that “Scott Derrickson collapses dreams, reality, past, and present sidelong into a singular cinematic haunted space.”
For many, horror sequels tend to be a step-down from their predecessors, especially since studios are always keen on cashing in on popular films. Some work better than others, but it seems Black Phone 2 was able to surpass the original film, which boasts an 81% on Rotten Tomatoes. io9 called it “excellent” and the “rare sequel that outshines its predecessor,” blending horror and emotion for one big gut punch. As But Why Tho? pointed out, it seems the horror follow-up grows up with its characters, leading to more stakes and a “supernatural fear” that better matches the stage of life the kids are at right now.
“The original film offered simplicity for young characters, and in Black Phone 2, it offers supernatural fear and accelerated stakes to match where the kids are now in their lives. Not every sequel works, but Black Phone 2 does.”
What Is ‘Black Phone 2’ About?
More to come.
- Release Date
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October 17, 2025
- Runtime
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114 Minutes
- Director
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Scott Derrickson