Creating an effective horror sequel is not an easy feat. Some directors choose to repeat the same narrative, others opt for a complete reimagining, and a few strike a middle ground that builds on the previous story in new and exciting ways. Black Phone 2 is a horror sequel that struggles to execute on a remarkable premise. Despite jaw-dropping imagery and an imposing villain, the film too often finds itself bogged down by mediocre dialogue and ineffective emotional arcs.
Years after his encounter with the evil ‘Grabber’, Finn and his sister Gwen find themselves once again pursued by the villain whose power has only grown in death. Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw play the aforementioned siblings. They are joined by Ethan Hawke, Miguel Mora and Demián Bichir.
Black Phone 2 is a tale of two halves, one in the real world and the other in the realm of dreams. The picture is at its best when we enter the grainy nightmare that the Grabber resides in. These portions of the film are perfectly shot, are effectively creepy and contain some of the best horror moments in years. As the villain, this is where Ethan Hawke steals the show and proves himself as a modern horror icon whenever he is on screen.
Unfortunately, the story taking place in reality is nowhere near as effective as the one in dreamland. The movie conveys a narrative that fits neatly with that of the first film, but despite its efforts, the emotional throughline feels weak due to cheesy dialogue and imperfect performances from some of the younger cast.
With the above in mind, Hawke does help elevate any scene he arrives in, but it takes far too long for him to rear his horned face. Furthermore, the powers of the Grabber are ill-defined, and his threatening aura wears thin once you realise he isn’t doing much of anything at all. For a slasher, the kills are shockingly few and far between.
It must be stressed that the idea of a murderer being killed in the first film and then showing up in the second through the means of a phone call from hell is phenomenal. This alone will have viewers hoping for a third instalment, where the script is better constructed.
Black Phone 2 is a frustrating film, which on one hand delivers superb moments of nightmare horror and on the other ventures too often into the land of melodrama. This one might be worth a rewatch since, as it stands, it is a mixed bag that is hard to decipher all in all.