Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: BLACK PHONE 2 [Fantastic Fest 2025 - Austin, Texas]

The texture of the first "The Black Phone" was bathed in horror pure and simple but also in a way perhaps reflective of the pandemic in the time it was made. The film was a much simpler ode to the slasher films and offered Ethan Hawke a different mindset and approach that perhaps he had not been offered before and given a change to play. The Grabber, because of the way he operated, even in the first one, existed in a supernatural forum but the key here in making a second one was giving it at least a little bit of time, especially if you are following the same kids. While Hawke's name is at the top (presumably to sell the film), this movie is even more so Finny (Mason Thames) and Gwen (Madeline McGraw). Whereas they were middle school before, now it is high school which Derrickson said in the Q&A creates a very different context to deal with trauma. The events of the first film obviously play in as well as the backstory of their mother. That story angle sounds like what eventually intrigued director Scott Derrickson. "Black Phone 2" is almost more experimental in many ways than the first one. A lot of the point of view takes place through Gwen, who apparently shares some sight that her mom did. The use of a phone in a scene at a summer camp near a lake does paint the scene from the inset. That cues some comparison to Friday the 13th in hindsight. But the way this film works out it is set in the depths of winter thus cueing "The Shining" references which Derrickson did speak to in the Q&A. Most of Gwen's dreams and/or flashbacks are the most dynamic because Derrickson had it shot on Super 8. Maggie Levin, Derrickson's wife, is listed as 2nd Unit Director and he alluded in the Q&A that she shot a lot of the Super 8 filmed sequences which represents Gwen's dream state. Derrickson also related that his is the first film to so heavily do so in recent film memory. Oliver Stone he referenced used to do it on some of his films. He admits some shots are out of focus in Super 8 but that is part of it. What is interesting is match the visual effects inside this to look seamless.

Some of the stuff the Grabber does obviously points back to Freddy Kreuger and the dream state that represented as well. Many audience members referred to "Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors" from 1987 (which this film reviewer initially thought was directed by Renny Harlin who is also at the fest with "The Strangers Chapter 2" but actually was directed by Chuck Russell who interestingly enough also did "The Mask"). Hawke did this film more for the art of the play because just being involved helps elevate his bankability though his is not as central in terms of the path we are showing. That is also very selfless of him in a certain way. It does open itself up to a prequel. The construct of what the camp they go to is and why as well as the people there also help because there is an underlying meaning. Damien Bichir adds a certain gravitas as well as Ariana Rivas as Mustang who takes care of the horses. "Black Phone 2" has a completely different feel than the first one. There is a nihilistic quality in the way Hawke banters with Gwen in certain sequences (even more do than Finny) speaking to a darker force and the Grabber more as a metaphor for the kids suffering. The Grabber wants to hurt Finny psychologically in comparison. Thames, visibly older since he made the first one, carries a world weariness which reflects in a rage in trying to put up a hard front when he just needs to admit his fear and sadness (which is ironically what the Grabber feeds on). It is a great arch for the character but it is almost more McGraw's movie because she is the target more, a vessel of revenge who, compared to Finny in the first movie, is finding the balance in power. "Black Phone 2" is a nice companion to the first one...and while it carries a different kind of energy, it is its own monster which might or might not gel with audiences expecting a copy of the first one. This film is different. That said, though some of the imagery and pacing at the end, despite its meaning and necessity, feels a little bit too popcorn at times. That said, a certain coda does bring the meaning home and reflects the Grabber's line seen in the trailers: "Dead is just a word". "Black Phone 2" knows its character but tries to flip the concept on its side. B+

By Tim Wassberg