Four years ago, writer and director Scott Derrickson (Sinister, The Gorge) and writer C. Robert Cargill (Sinister, Doctor Strange) adapted Joe Hill’s story, The Black Phone. This year, Derrickson and Cargill returned to Fantastic Fest for the world premier of Black Phone 2. Four years after the events of the previous film, Finn is struggling with his trauma and Gwen’s dreams are getting worse. It leads them to a winter camp where the siblings will learn family secrets as they face off against the Grabber one last time.

The Black Phone was a resounding success when it was released in 2021. Naturally, horror fans have been anxiously awaiting the release of Black Phone 2 to see how the story continues, especially since Derrickson and Cargill were no longer restrained by the original source material. With more freedom in creating this sequel, the filmmakers seemed to take inspiration both from their personal lives and from other classic horror films. The film begins by letting the audience know how things have changed for Finn and Gwen since we last saw them. Finn is internalizing his trauma, resorting to fights at school and smoking weed as a coping mechanism. Gwen still has that fire in her, but her prophetic dreams are getting worse and worse, making her fear she’s going insane. One thing that’s improved is their father is now sober, but he still refuses to acknowledge Gwen’s visions. Gwen’s dreams eventually lead her and Finn to a winter Christian youth camp. There they learn more about their mother, the Grabber, and themselves as they fight for their lives. When Gwen’s dreams and the real world collide, it leads to an epic climax with wild action.

The basic premise of Black Phone 2 is fascinating, but overall the film is a mixed bag of highs and lows. The best aspects are those centered on Finn, Gwen, and their family history. It’s clear Finn is pushing his emotions down rather than working through them, making for an authentic look at teenage boys being torn apart by trauma. This film also adds a lot of family lore, specifically revealing more about Finn and Gwen’s mother, who shared Gwen’s gift. As for Gwen, she is still trying to help others even as her dreams get worse and worse. Her dreams allow for some of the most intense sequences of the film, delivering excitement and scares. Once the film moves to the camp, audiences get a wild combination of A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Master, Friday the 13th in the snow, and even a nod to Curtains. Yet the setting and how Gwen deals with her ability leads to the less successful part of Black Phone 2. In The Black Phone there was some talk of Jesus here and there. With the sequel, the religious elements really ramp up. Not only is the camp a Christian camp, but Gwen speaks a lot more about Jesus and religion. These religious moments not only feel inauthentic to the characters fans adored in the first film, but they feel shoe-horned in. Even some of the writing around it is sloppy compared to everything else, making it seem as if the filmmakers are pushing an agenda rather than crafting a compelling, cohesive tale.

The performances in Black Phone 2 add a lot of heart to the story. Mason Thames (The Black Phone, How to Train Your Dragon) reprises his role as Finn. Thames adds so much angst to his portrayal of Finn this time around. It makes it crystal clear this poor kid is wearing a mask to hide the pain and fear he feels inside, which in turn makes it easy for the audience to feel for him. Madeliene McGraw (The Black Phone, Outcast) also returns as Gwen. While Gwen was more of a supporting role in the first film, McGraw easily becomes a leading lady in the sequel. While much of her dialogue wildly swings from her trademark sailor-mouther insults to Christian musings, McGraw does her best to honor the character. One thing is for sure, McGraw gives a raw, emotional performance sure to pull on the heartstrings. Other standout performances come from Jeremy Davies (The Black Phone), Demián Bichir (The Nun), and of course Ethan Hawke (The Black Phone).

While The Black Phone was fairly understated, Black Phone 2 really ramps up the nightmarish sights and sounds. Most of the scenes before the camp have the same feel as the first film, but once we get to the camp everything changes. It expands the story outside the Grabber’s basement to a new, dangerous, snowy landscape. Venturing into new areas is great, but it also makes the story seem less grounded in reality. The inside and outside of the camp look like a sound stage with lots of CGI to transport the audience to the Colorado wilderness. Because of how fake it all looks, it detracts somewhat from the terror. Taking the visuals in the opposite direction are Gwen’s dreams. Derrickson shows her dreams through his favorite medium, Super8. It gives the dreams a warmth and texture that looks striking as it enhances the horrors that await Gwen in her sleep. It’s similar to what was shown in the first film, but ends up looking closer to the home movies in Sinister. Even the music played during the dream sequences will bring Sinister to audiences’ minds, but the rest of composer Atticus Derrickson’s score has a catchy 80s synth sound. And finally, what would the film be without stunning practical effects bringing to life the Grabber’s poor, innocent victims.

Black Phone 2 adds plenty of terror and new lore to thrill audiences, but doesn’t quite capture the magic of its predecessor. Derrickson and Cargill did a great job of creating a sequel that expands the story while it also takes inspiration from other horror greats. Where the film will likely lose some people is the overt religious messaging. The modern visual elements leave something to be desired, but the more analog aspects are beautiful and horrifying. Yet the thing that really makes the film worth watching are the performances by Thames and McGraw. Both actors give it their all and it shows. You can witness Black Phone 2 exclusively in theaters beginning Friday, October 17th.

OVERALL RATING: 6.5/10