Blumhouse’s The Black Phone shocked and thrilled audiences in 2022 with its emotionally rich blend of supernatural horror and childhood trauma. Now, director Scott Derrickson returns with The Black Phone 2, a darker and bloodier follow-up set four years later — and based on a story idea from original author Joe Hill.
With the release of the first trailer, in an interview with Collider, Derrickson discussed what fans can expect, from deeper emotional stakes to horrifying new visuals, and a shift in tone toward high school horror.
Timeline Shift: Four Years After the First Film
The Black Phone 2 is set four years after the events of the original. Derrickson emphasizes that this time jump allowed him to evolve the story naturally:
“These kids would really be in high school, and we’d make a high school coming-of-age horror film as opposed to a middle school movie.”
Returning leads Mason Thames (Finney) and Madeleine McGraw (Gwen) are now teenagers — emotionally and physically changed by the trauma of their past. According to Derrickson, this developmental leap brings “more dramatic emotions and stakes” to their next brush with supernatural terror.
The Grabber Returns… Somehow
While Derrickson wouldn’t confirm exactly how the Grabber (Ethan Hawke) features in the sequel, especially considering his fate in the first movie, he teases that the trailer offers some clues. Expect an evolution in the supernatural elements, though specifics remain under wraps to preserve mystery.
One haunting visual teased in the trailer — a blood-soaked phone booth — is just a taste of the disturbing imagery fans can expect:
“There’s more to that moment than what you see in the trailer,” Derrickson hints.
A More Violent, More Graphic Horror Film
While The Black Phone straddled the line between horror and supernatural thriller, Black Phone 2 leans fully into graphic horror:
“It’s more violent. It’s bloodier. There’s a severity and extremity to it that goes beyond the first movie.”
The sequel brings more intense scares, not just physically but emotionally, with Derrickson promising elevated horror befitting a high school setting.
Finney & Gwen: Together at Last
Unlike the first movie, where Finney and Gwen spent most of the runtime apart, the sequel brings them together:
“They have a lot that happens that they’re in together much more than in the first film.”
Their emotional bond, one of the strongest aspects of the original, now takes center stage as they confront new horrors with older eyes and heavier hearts.
Returning Cast & Elevated Performances
Derrickson praises Thames, McGraw, and Miguel Mora (Robin) — all of whom return and show significant growth as performers:
“They’re just such good actors… The result was even less direction, to be honest.”
The director gave his cast fair warning before emotionally intense scenes, and credits them for rising to every challenge with maturity and skill.
The Grabber’s New Look
A major highlight from the trailer is The Grabber’s disturbing unmasked reveal, which Derrickson developed through a long, collaborative process with makeup artists and concept designers:
“You keep going until you’ve got something… ‘Aha! That’s it.’”
Fans should prepare for a shocking new design — one that was carefully shaped for maximum impact while staying within the realm of in-camera practical effects.
Horror Through the Lens of Hope and Love
Despite the increase in blood and horror, Derrickson confirms the sequel still carries the emotional resonance of the original:
“Hope and love are as powerful of forces as fear… That was very committed to continuing in the second one.”
Though The Black Phone 2 will go darker, it still aims to inspire, continuing its exploration of trauma, resilience, and the enduring bond between siblings.
A New Setting: Alpine Lake Youth Camp
The sequel moves to a very different location — Alpine Lake Youth Camp — inspired by Derrickson’s own high school memories. This change of setting helps reset the tone and place the characters in unfamiliar yet symbolically rich territory:
“I poured so much of my childhood and early middle school years into The Black Phone… In high school, that’s where this film lives now.”
Conclusion: A Chilling Evolution of a Modern Horror Classic
The Black Phone 2 promises to deepen the emotional and supernatural lore of the first film while fully embracing high school horror. With returning characters, darker visuals, and heightened stakes, it’s shaping up to be a more extreme yet emotionally resonant follow-up — one that honors the original’s legacy while daring to push boundaries.
Black Phone 2 Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: Is Ethan Hawke returning as The Grabber in The Black Phone 2?
A: Derrickson won’t confirm specifics, but the trailer suggests the Grabber’s legacy — and perhaps something more — is back.
Q: When does The Black Phone 2 take place?
A: Four years after the events of the first film, Finney and Gwen are now in high school.
Q: Will the sequel be scarier than the first?
A: Yes — Black Phone 2 will be more violent, more graphic, and far more intense, though still grounded in emotion.
Q: Is the tone still hopeful?
A: Absolutely. Derrickson says hope and love remain central to the story, even amid more severe horror.