Black Phone 2: Darker, More Powerful

I was tentatively excited about Black Phone 2. I really liked the original film but I was uncertain how well a sequel would hold up to the excellent story and historically sequels usually aren’t as good. Yet, I hoped for the best and I was not disappointed. Black Phone 2 is darker, more powerful than the first film. The acting is incredible, emotional and full of depth. This one chilled me to the bone.

Black Phone 2 is a supernatural horror film directed by Scott Derrickson who co-wrote it with C. Robert Cargill. It is the sequel to The Black Phone. Set in 1982, it follows four years after the events of the first movie. In it, Finn (Mason Thames) is trying to deal with the trauma of his kidnapping by and the killing of the Grabber. Meanwhile, his psychic sister, Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), begins to have terrifying dreams of mutilated children and nightmares of a phone ringing. Finn himself also still hears dead phones ringing. With the help of Gwen’s friend Ernesto (Miguel Mora), the younger brother of Robin, they track down information about a camp that their mother worked at and they go to get answers for Gwen’s dreams. But they find more than they count on and with the help Armando (Demián Bichir) who runs the camp, they must find a way to save Gwen before it’s too late. The film also stars Ethan Hawke as the Grabber, Jeremy Davies as their father, Arianna Rivas as Mustang, Armando’s niece and Anna Lore as Hope, Finn and Gwen’s mother.

One of the elements that makes this such an excellent film is the way the pacing is set up. The writing is taut and the events unfold with just enough speed to keep you on your toes. The film also alternates between Gwen’s dreams and the real world, which lends a chilling effect to the action. The horror ramps up as Gwen experiences more and more in her dreams and becomes increasingly harder to wake up to reality. There is also a darker, grittier quality to the story that gives the movie depth and emotion, making it entangle the viewer emotionally with the events of Finn and Gwen’s lives. The story also delves into Finn’s trauma and the fear that he hasn’t yet faced, evoking those same emotions of the audience. All of these factors help the film dig deeper under the skin than the original. The darker plot is also leavened well with humor to brighten up the story but also gives a strong contrast to the darker moments.

Beyond the pacing, there is also a lot of backstory that we get in this second film, more about Finn and Gwen’s mother and how she died. Filling in the blanks of her life and death creates a richer story. As we find how Gwen resembles her mother and struggles with her abilities, we also see how their mother must have dealt with the same issues. That adds more emotion to the storyline.

The dream sequences are quite frankly brilliant. Filmed with an effect that gives the screen a gray tone and fuzzy aspect, it is easy to figure out what is a dream and what is reality in the movie. Yet, despite it being a dream, much like Nightmare on Elm Street, this only makes those scenes even scarier. Even when you know an effect is coming, the jump scares still are terrifying as you try to figure out the mystery of Gwen’s visions. And as the dreams worsen, becoming more physical, you are left to wonder if Gwen will escape each and every time she enters her dreams. It is chilling.

The performances of Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw are powerful. In this film, the action is split equally between the pair. The focus is not just on Finn and that makes it a much stronger film. Mason Thames is emotional and his performance is full of depth as the audience sees the toll of the trauma on his character. Madeleine McGraw is strong, full of wit and wisdom. She is also incredibly funny. She has some of the best lines and delivers them with panache. I love her character and how she challenges her brother and her father to be better. Even the minor characters are excellent. Demián Bichir plays Armando with empathy, wisdom and caring. His character is one that you quickly care about as he tries to help Finn and Gwen find the truth. Miguel Mora is sweet and caring as Ernesto. Jeremy Davies is relatable as Finn and Gwen’s father, trying to help them recover from a terrible event. Ethan Hawkes is creepier than ever as The Grabber, dark and threatening, a powerful performance by him.

There are some predictable moments in the film and some elements you know right from the beginning are going to be included. But what I like is that the film doesn’t repeat the events of the first movie. It takes the story in new directions while utilizing some of the same effects as the original. It adds depth and emotion and gives Gwen as a character more initiative and power. While it is rare, I think this is one sequel that is better than the first movie.

If you liked the Black Phone, you will love Black Phone 2. It takes the story in new directions, adds depth, backstory and emotion. Madeleine McGraw is powerful as Gwen and Mason Thames is emotional as Finn. They are joined by a brilliant cast. The movie is chilling, terrifying and emotional. I’ve never loved being scared to death more.

Rating: 5 out of 5 dreams.