If you’re a fan of chilling supernatural horror that blends psychological terror with clever twists, The Black Phone 2 is poised to ring up some serious scares. Expanding on the original 2021 film’s enormous success—which saw it earn over $160 million worldwide and receive rave reviews for its chilling narrative and Ethan Hawke’s unforgettable turn as the masked killer The Grabber—this sequel delves deeper into Finney and Gwen’s haunted nightmare.
Helmed by Scott Derrickson, The Black Phone 2 touts to expand into the lore alongside serving you with brand new nightmares. Whether you’re revisiting the first movie or jumping in fresh, here’s a complete guide to everything you need to know about The Black Phone 2, from its eerie plot to the star-studded cast and beyond.
The Black Phone 2 Plot Summary
Set in 1982, a few years after Finney’s harrowing ordeal made national headlines, The Black Phone 2 catches up with the Shaw siblings as they grapple with the lasting scars of survival. Now 17, Finney (Mason Thames) is a shadow of his old self, burdened with anger and self-medicating by numbing himself to the memories of his captivity.
His younger sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) whom he still has a psychic connection to and who still experiences visions, starts having vivid nightmares: terrifying phone calls from the infamous black phone — ominous voices ringing through the night in her dreams and then horrible flashes of mutilated children buried under frozen lakes.
The plot gets even twistier after Gwen, along with her new boyfriend Ernesto, begins to piece together hints that suggest the killer may be linked to a secluded winter camp named Alpine Lake—and to their late mother’s hidden identity. While a ferocious blizzard rages outside, the horrors of The Whispering Death are already at work – death never runs out of time.
Look for a snowbound siege of paranormal dread, a mixture of dream logic and grisly kills, coupled with themes of grief, guilt and the indistinct line between victim and avenger. Without spoiling the twists, this sequel amps up the folklore, introducing Catholic undertones of good versus evil that add unexpected depth to the horror.
Meet the Cast of The Black Phone 2
One of the biggest thrills for fans is seeing the core trio return, older and more battle-hardened, alongside some powerhouse additions. Here’s the key lineup:
- Mason Thames as Finney Shaw: The teen protagonist from the first film, now navigating post-trauma adulthood with brooding intensity. Thames, who broke out with the original, brings a raw vulnerability that’s evolved into quiet fury.
- Madeleine McGraw as Gwen Shaw: Finney’s stubborn, vision-troubled sister hogs the spotlight here, leading the investigation with her iron will. McGraw’s turn is also said to be a performance of note, which is mixing his hard with the soft for “Salt Life”.
- Ethan Hawke as The Grabber: The iconic serial killer returns with his spooky masks and magnetic menace, showing why he’s horror’s villain of choice. Hawke’s return grants the sequel that same uncomfortable charm.
- Jeremy Davies as Terrence Shaw, the brothers’ flawed, but devoted father who provides emotional counterbalance to their dysfunctional family.
- Ernesto (Played by Miguel Mora): Gwen’s charismatic boyfriend, Ernesto is another new ally in the struggle, ready with young passion and hearts to the fight.
- Demián Bichir as the Camp’s Supervisor: The Academy Award nominee (The Nun) doesn’t serve a huge part out at Alpine Lake yet he adds suspicion and is instrumental into this drama.
- Arianna Rivas as Mustang: The supervisor’s niece, whose presence leads to discovery of buried camp folklore.
Behind the camera, Scott Derrickson returns as director, co-writing the script with C. Robert Cargill (their Sinister collaboration roots show through). The film stays true to the ’80s vibe with a killer synth score and practical effects that make every shadow feel alive.
Trailers and Teasers
Then on June 1, 2025, rock n’ roll: Universal and Blumhouse revealed the first official trailer for The Black Phone 2 and its broken-up siblings in snowy isolation — plus those spine-chilling phone rings! It piles on the views, showing off Hawke’s Grabber in new frostbitten glory and Gwen’s hallucinogenic visions that might as well have materialized out of a fever dream.
The second trailer came down the pipeline on Sept. 4, 2025, and fully raised the stakes with quick-cut kills and a blizzard-trapped climax alongside teases of what lurks beneath the camp’s grounds. The trailers nail the mix of nostalgia (Nightmare on Elm Street vibes, anyone?) and modernity, with one standout sequence that finds Finney trapped in a phone booth by spectral figures. If you haven’t seen it yet, prepare yourself — these trailers are chilling enough.
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Release Date and Where to Watch The Black Phone 2
Mark your calendars: The Black Phone 2 hits theaters on October 17, 2025, perfectly timed for Halloween chills. Expect a wide U.S. and international rollout via Universal Pictures, with IMAX screenings for those immersive sound design moments (that ringing phone will haunt you in Dolby).
It’ll likely land on Peacock a few months post-theatrical, following Blumhouse’s model. For now, grab tickets early—early buzz predicts a box office smash like its predecessor.
Early Reviews and Reception
Festival showings are currently in progress (Fantastic Fest among them), and The Black Phone 2 is drumming up some potent pre-release buzz. Its audacious risks win plaudits, such as the isolated snow setting designed to ratchet up unbearable tension and an extended ice-bound finale that delights in its wit and gruesomeness.
One reviewer describes it as “a confident, blood-drenched love letter to ’80s slashers, packed with memorable horror moments and laughs and moving punches.” Roger Ebert awarded it 3 out of 4 stars, lauding Derrickson’s visual flair.
Fans on social platforms are buzzing about the deeper lore ties to Joe Hill’s universe (subtle nods to his NOS4A2 world) and Hawke’s escalated villainy. While some decry the Nightmare on Elm Street echoes as too on-the-nose, most agree it evolves the franchise without losing its soul. Audience scores are trickling in high, with many calling it “more sinister than ever.”
Conclusion
The Black Phone 2 cranks everything that made its predecessor a smash hit to 11: nerve-jangling suspense, unforgettable characters, and a villain who’ll haunt your dreams. It wraps a darker, more expansive story around Finney and Gwen’s lingering trauma to produce a sequel that feels both nostalgic and daringly new.
Between its ’80s-chill atmospherics, impressive cast and snowy setting (a character in itself, gripping you in its icy clutches), this is one horror movie that almost certainly shouldn’t be missed.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer ready to answer the call, The Black Phone 2 promises a terrifying ride when it hits theatres on October 17, 2025. So, grab your tickets and prepare for a sequel that’s bound to keep you up all night.