The Black Phone 2 is officially happening, and for those who are still wondering, it’s indeed a direct sequel to the hit 2022 horror movie The Black Phone. Directed again by Scott Derrickson, the film will continue the chilling story that left fans both terrified and curious.
Now, while most of us believed that the Grabber, played by Ethan Hawke, was gone for good, it seems that he’s coming back in some mysterious way. The sequel is set four years after the events of the first movie and will explore what happens next in this eerie world.
Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw are back to make it feel like a true continuation. The film is almost knocking at our doors, so if you thought the nightmare was over, think again, because the Grabber’s phone is ringing once more, and horror fans are ready to answer.
The table contains basic details on The Black Phone 2
The Well-Kept Plot Details Surrounding Ethan Hawke’s Return
Like we said, after the first Black Phone movie ended with a clear victory for Finney, no one expected Scott Derrickson to return with a sequel. After all, Mason Thames’ character not only escaped from the Grabber’s basement, but also killed the villain and reunited with his sister Gwen.
Later on, thanks to Gwen’s visions, the police discovered Grabber’s other crimes and it became a complete ending. So naturally most fans thought there was no way to continue the story. However, The Black Phone 2 is proving everyone wrong by bringing the nightmare back in a new and twisted way.
We’ve already seen the trailer for the upcoming film and know that the new story will take place four years after the events of the first film. But that all seems like child’s play compared to how the director planned on bringing back Ethan Hawke’s Grabber. Because that’s something that no one expected.
In fact, the idea that Ethan Hawke himself is returning as the Grabber, despite being killed in the first film, makes us think that this time he might not be human at all, but something darker and scarier. Perhaps, he could return as the famous horror icon Freddy Krueger, who also haunted people’s dreams.
After all, the official synopsis suggests that “Grabber seeks vengeance on Finn from beyond the grave by menacing Finn’s younger sister, Gwen”. So, instead of being alive, the Grabber might now exist in a ghostly form, still tormenting the kids who escaped him. Plus, it has also been revealed how Gwen becomes the victim in this sequel.
Turns out, in The Black Phone 2, Gwen begins receiving calls in her dreams from the notorious phone and starts seeing disturbing visions of three boys being stalked at a winter camp known as Alpine Lake. Now, as per the plot, she gets determined to solve the mystery and end the torment for both her and her brother.
So eventually, Gwen persuades Finn to visit the camp during a winter storm. And that’s how she and Finn eventually confront the killer, who has grown more powerful in death and more significant to them than either could imagine. Based on this horror angle, it seems that the sequel is set to be even more terrifying.
The Original and Returning Cast and Crew of The Black Phone 2
Now, as for the cast and crew, most of the original cast are returning mainly because the film serves as a direct sequel. Mason Thames returns as Finney Blake, the brave boy who survived the Grabber’s basement. Madeleine McGraw will also return as Gwen, Finney’s sister with psychic abilities.
Their father, played by Jeremy Davies, is back, too. Ethan Hawke is also returning as the Grabber, but this time, his role seems to have taken a supernatural turn. Even Miguel Mora, who played Finney’s friend Robin (one of the Grabber’s victims), is coming back. His return hints at dream or vision sequences since his character died in the first movie.
With these cast members, the sequel will explore both the real and ghostly sides of the story, mixing fear, mystery, and emotion all over again. Behind the camera, director Scott Derrickson and writer C. Robert Cargill are also returning to lead the project. The duo worked together on the first movie and also on Sinister, another popular horror hit.
The Black Phone 2 Isn’t the First Sequel to the 2022 Original
Meanwhile, although The Black Phone 2 is serving as a direct sequel to the 2022 horror flick, it’s not the first sequel to the original film. Derrickson and Cargill revisited the Black Phone world previously, when they created a short story called Dreamkill, which appeared in the horror anthology V/H/S/85.
That short film doesn’t focus on Finney or Gwen but instead follows their cousin, Gunther. In Dreamkill, Gunther is questioned by the police about a series of murders. Like Gwen, he has psychic powers and tries to use them to help solve the crimes. Even though it’s not a direct continuation, it builds on the same eerie world.
This short film helped fans understand how big the supernatural part of the story could get, something The Black Phone 2 will explore even more deeply.
When is The Black Phone 2 Releasing?
With all that being said, the main question remains, when is this horror sequel releasing in theaters? Well, The Black Phone 2 already premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 20, 2025, and received strong early reactions from horror fans. So now, Universal Pictures is preparing to release the movie in theaters on October 17, 2025.
Just in time for Halloween, with its returning cast, familiar director, and haunting new story, The Black Phone 2 promises to deliver another terrifying experience. Whether Ethan Hawke’s Grabber appears as a ghost, vision, or something else entirely, the film is set to be a supernatural experience that fans won’t want to miss.
Share your opinions and expectations for The Black Phone 2.
The Black Phone 2 is releasing in the US on October 17, 2025.
