Ethan Hawke's Terrifying Grabber Returns in 'The Black Phone 2' Sequel

In just a few weeks, Blumhouse will release 'The Black Phone 2', the highly anticipated sequel to the 2021 horror hit. Scheduled to hit theaters on October 17, 2025, the new film continues the story that began with the original, which became a major success, earning $161.4 million worldwide on a modest $18 million budget.

Once again, director Scott Derrickson is at the helm, co-writing the script with C. Robert Cargill. The sequel revisits the characters of Finney, played by Mason Thames, and his sister Gwen, portrayed by Madeleine McGraw, as they face new horrors tied to the eerie presence of the undead killer known as The Grabber, reprised by Ethan Hawke.

The story unfolds between a chilling campground setting and the disturbing visions that haunt Gwen's dreams. Early reviews, compiled by Rotten Tomatoes just weeks before the film's release, have been largely positive, with the sequel earning a 79% score based on 24 critic responses. While a few less favorable takes have emerged, the more glowing reviews have described the film as both inventive and faithful to the original, with some critics even offering perfect 5-out-of-5 ratings.

With this strong early reception and the return of the first film's key creative team, audiences can expect another gripping and chilling chapter when 'The Black Phone 2' hits theaters this month.