THE BLACK PHONE 2 First Reviews Say It’s Even Better Than the First Film, and Stephen King Agrees
Spooky season 2025 just got a serious upgrade for horror movie fans! Scott Derrickson’s highly anticipated sequel The Black Phone 2 premiered at Fantastic Fest and early reactions suggest this follow-up doesn’t just live up to the original, it surpasses it. Even Stephen King himself is calling it a must-see.
King jumped on X after the screening and dropped the ultimate stamp of approval: "It’s not as good as the first one. IT’S BETTER."
Critics are echoing King’s excitement. Meagan Navarro from Bloody Disgusting declared, "Black Phone 2 surpasses its predecessor in just about every way.”
Germain Lussier from Gizmodo added, "The first film was certainly solid, but this one is excellent. The rare sequel that outshines its predecessor."
One of the biggest talking points has been the sequel’s surreal and unsettling visuals. Rocco T. Thompson from Slant Magazine praised Derrickson’s direction, saying, "Derrickson collapses dreams, reality, past, and present sidelong into a singular cinematic haunted space."
Rafael Motamayor at Slashfilm shared similar thoughts, calling it "an awesome Dream Warriors-esque story" that avoids rehashing the original.
Of course, performances are also stealing the spotlight. Ethan Hawke returns as The Grabber, the terrifying child killer audiences thought was gone for good.
Brian Tallerico from RogerEbert.com even compared him to Freddy Krueger, while Tessa Smith at Mama’s Geeky highlighted the younger stars: "Madeleine McGraw & Mason Thames deliver career-best performances."
Not every critic is convinced though. Sean Boelman from FandomWire took a more cautious stance, calling it "unlikely to be as memorable as its predecessor." Still, the majority of reviews lean heavily positive, with many declaring it one of the standout horror films of the year.
The Black Phone 2 is set four years after the first film. Finn (Mason Thames), now 17, and his psychic younger sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), 15, are pulled into a chilling new mystery when Gwen begins seeing visions of three boys being hunted at a remote winter camp. Their search leads them straight into the icy clutches of The Grabber.
Fans won’t have to wait long to experience the terror for themselves. The Black Phone 2 hits theaters on October 17, just in time for Halloween. I’m excited to watch this film!