The line is ringing again, and this time, the call is darker. Director Scott Derrickson and producer Blumhouse Productions return with Black Phone 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2021 breakout horror hit. Following its world premiere at Fantastic Fest on September 20, the film has already drawn praise for its chilling atmosphere and emotional depth ahead of its October 17 U.S. theatrical release via Universal Pictures.
Set two years after the events of the original film, Black Phone 2 continues the story of Finney Blake (Mason Thames), now a teenager haunted by the supernatural ordeal that once nearly killed him. His younger sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) still experiences disturbing visions, and when a new string of abductions begins, the siblings realize the nightmare of The Grabber, played once again by Ethan Hawke, is far from over. But this time, the evil isn’t just human.
Co-written by Derrickson and longtime collaborator C. Robert Cargill, the film expands the world of the first installment, trading its suburban basement setting for the snowbound isolation of a 1980s winter camp in Colorado. The shift opens the door to a more psychological brand of horror, blending the eerie nostalgia of The Shining with the intimacy of The Sixth Sense.
Returning cast members Jeremy Davies (as the siblings’ father, Terrence Blake) and Ethan Hawke anchor the story, while new faces Demián Bichir, Anna Lore, and Graham Abbey add fresh energy to the growing mythology. Derrickson’s son, Atticus Derrickson, composed the score, described by early viewers as “harrowing and hypnotic.”
The sequel was born from an unexpected phone call, literally. Author Joe Hill, whose short story inspired the first film, pitched Derrickson a simple concept: “A phone rings again. Finney answers. It’s The Grabber calling from hell.” That haunting idea became the backbone of the sequel.
Critics who attended the Fantastic Fest premiere describe Black Phone 2 as “a haunting, emotionally charged continuation” (Cinemablend), with The Washington Post noting that it’s “darker, smarter, and scarier than expected.” The film’s R rating reflects its heightened intensity, both psychological and visual.
Visually, cinematographer Pär M. Ekberg crafts a haunting blend of flickering shadows and pale winter light, while editor Louise Ford maintains Derrickson’s signature pacing, slow burns punctuated by brutal shocks. The film’s use of distorted phone calls, spectral voices, and surreal dreamscapes has been widely praised as one of the year’s most innovative horror sound designs.
With The Black Phone (2021) grossing over $157 million worldwide on a modest budget, expectations are high for this follow-up, which reportedly cost around $30 million to produce. Industry analysts expect a strong box office debut, bolstered by a loyal fanbase and a horror-hungry fall season.
Black Phone 2 officially hits theaters on October 17, 2025, and will later stream on Peacock before arriving on digital and Blu-ray in early 2026. Until then, the line remains open, and the screams are only getting louder.
