Dubai, UAE – October 8, 2025:
Horror fans, it’s time to pick up the phone once more. From visionary writer-director Scott Derrickson and Blumhouse Productions, the chilling sequel Black Phone 2 is set to haunt cinemas across the region from October 16.
Four years after the terrifying events of the first film, The Black Phone 2 revisits the trauma of 13-year-old Finn, now a 17-year-old survivor played by Mason Thames, who must once again confront the shadows of his past. Evil never truly dies and this time, it’s reaching out from beyond the grave.
The film marks the return of Ethan Hawke, reprising his spine-chilling role as The Grabber, in what critics are calling one of his darkest and most memorable performances yet. As Finn’s younger sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) begins receiving strange calls and haunting visions linked to the Grabber’s spirit, the siblings are drawn to a mysterious winter camp where a new layer of horror awaits.
The Story Behind the Mask
The sequel expands on the eerie mythology surrounding The Grabber. As Gwen begins receiving cryptic visions and phone calls from beyond the grave, the siblings are drawn to Alpine Lake, a seemingly tranquil winter retreat that conceals dark secrets. Here, Finn must face his ultimate fear, not just of the Grabber, but of the darkness that follows him.
Director Scott Derrickson masterfully blends psychological suspense with supernatural horror, blurring the lines between reality and nightmare.
A Star-Studded Cast Returns
Featuring an exceptional supporting cast including Demián Bichir, Jeremy Davies, Miguel Mora, and Arianna Rivas; the sequel deepens the mythology of The Black Phone, exploring fear, family, and the fine line between vengeance and redemption. Written by Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill, and based on characters created by Joe Hill, the film continues Blumhouse’s tradition of redefining modern horror. The first instalment became a global phenomenon in 2022, grossing over $160 million worldwide and earning widespread critical acclaim for its psychological intensity and retro aesthetic.
A Production Years in the Making
Following the global success of the first film which grossed over $160 million worldwide, The Black Phone 2 went into development in early 2023, with Derrickson and long-time collaborator C. Robert Cargill returning to write the screenplay.
Filming took place in Utah, with Derrickson using natural winter landscapes to heighten the movie’s eerie, isolated tone. The film’s look was heavily inspired by 1970s and 1980s horror classics, using minimal CGI and practical effects to create authentic terror.
Now, Black Phone 2 promises to elevate the fear factor, with Derrickson inviting audiences to “discover the secret behind the mask.”
Social Kandura’s Review
If the first Black Phone was a masterclass in tension, Black Phone 2 leans further into the supernatural and surreal. The sequel carries an old-school horror energy reminiscent of 1980s classics like A Nightmare on Elm Street, a nostalgic yet fresh blend of psychological unease and fantasy-driven horror.
The film’s visual style is striking, combining eerie winter landscapes with haunting dream sequences that amplify the sense of dread. Ethan Hawke once again steals the show with a deeply unsettling performance, while Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw ground the story with emotion and vulnerability.
That said, the sequel diverges from its predecessor’s psychological realism, opting instead for a more fantastical tone, which might not satisfy fans expecting the gritty terror of the first film. While it’s more gory than scary, it compensates with chilling atmosphere and a few effective jump scares (even if some are predictable).
Surprisingly, Black Phone 2 also finds moments of dark humor, and even earning laughter from audiences during scenes that may not have intended it, but that adds to the movie’s chaotic charm. Despite its occasional tonal imbalance, it’s a stylishly executed, thoroughly entertaining horror flick that will keep you hooked until the final ring.
