Scott Derrickson’s 2021 horror gem “The Black Phone” left a mark with its sinister tone and edge-of-your-seat suspense. But its ace in the hole was Ethan Hawke who took on a role unlike any other in his brilliant forty-year career. Hawke played The Grabber, a serial killer and child abductor who terrorized the residents of a Denver suburb. Hawke lost himself in the character and delivered a horror movie antagonist that was both chilling and fascinating.

Derrickson returns to direct and rejoins C. Robert Cargill in writing the script for “Black Phone 2”, a sequel set four years after the events of the first film. Even more exciting, Ethan Hawke returns as The Grabber who (and this may be a spoiler for series newcomers) was killed at the end of the first film. But Derrickson and Cargill have created a surprisingly compelling angle to bring their villain back, and they manage to extend the original story in a unique and effective way.

“The Black Phone” drew its inspiration from a 2005 short story by Joe Hill. It laid the groundwork for the unexpected narrative twists of “Black Phone 2”. Set in 1982, the sequel continues the stories of brother and sister Finney and Gwen Blake (played by the returning Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw). Now 17-years-old, Finney has tried burying his trauma since grabbing headlines as the lone survivor of The Grabber’s murder spree.

**Image Courtesy of Universal Pictures**

But the movie is most interested in Finney’s kid sister Gwen, whose mysterious power (or curse) played a big part in the first movie. Gwen’s clairvoyance is manifested in dreams that she doesn’t fully understand. Lately they’ve been horrifying nightmares where she witnesses the brutal murders of three young boys. There is also the piercing rings of a black rotary phone – a potential connection to The Grabber. Each new nightmare gets more vivid and more disturbing. And each points to Alpine Lake Youth Camp high up in the Rocky Mountains.

Desperate for answers, Finney, Gwen, and her wannabe boyfriend Ernie (Miguel Mora) head to Alpine Lake to investigate. Posing as counselors in training, the trio arrive in the middle of a blizzard and are greeted by a limited staff including the owner, Armando Reyes (Demián Bichir). While there, Gwen’s terrifying dreams intensify. They begin with horrific encounters with the three mutilated little boys. But soon it’s The Grabber himself, now a raging vengeful spirit with an ax to grind with Finney and Gwen.

Derrickson really leans into the added supernatural spin, taking an already dark and unnerving story and making it even more unsettling. Along the way, we’re treated to several intriguing connections and unexpected reveals, some of which change our perspective on the first film in some surprisingly clever ways. They tell us more about The Grabber’s violent history as well as Finney and Gwen’s family struggles.

The performances from the young stars are generally good although the script trips them up on occasion. This is especially true with McGraw who is routinely forced to blurt out 80s-inspired insults which sound more hokey than authentic. Otherwise both she and Thames meet the many demands of their roles. We also get good supporting turns from Bichir and Jeremy Davies as Finney and Gwen’s father, Terrence.

As for Hawke, aside from a few glimpses in a handful of early flashbacks, it’s nearly an hour before we see him as The Grabber. And once he appears he is every bit as chilling as before, lurking in the shadows of Gwen’s dreams while grimly uttering his lines with an ethereal menace. He’s a haunting presence with powers inspired by Freddy Krueger, but whose vengeful rage and sadism is far more serious and focused.

The movie makes a number of impressive choices, but some of the most effective involve its bold visuals. Derrickson shoots Gwen’s dream sequences using Super 8mm and 16mm, giving them a grainy old home video quality. Together with the crackle of static in the audio, it creates an eerie and dread-soaked atmosphere. It’s a very specific and potent visual choice that’s more than just a gimmick. And it stands out even more once Derrickson begins integrating it with the digital photography of the ‘real world’.

“Black Phone 2” is a terrific sequel that many of us didn’t know we needed. From its well-developed character arcs to its sinister set pieces, the movie uses every facet of filmmaking to make us squirm in our seats but also empathize with its characters as they navigate such common yet weighty themes as processing trauma, facing fears, family bonds, and the testing of faith. Admittedly the rules of ‘dreams versus reality’ aren’t always clear, especially in the final act. But it’s easy to look past such small gripes after considering the keen vision and first-rate execution of this worthwhile sequel that’s full of proud callbacks and original twists all its own.

VERDICT – 4 STARS

2012’s “Sinister” was a rare surprise. While it did depend on a number of common, run-of-the-mill gimmicks, “Sinister” had enough smarts behind it to succeed where many modern horror movies fail. It slowly built a compelling story. It never went overboard. It had some unsettling but satisfying twists. It was a huge hit meaning a sequel was inevitable in this money-starved movie climate. Unfortunately “Sinister 2” has none of the ingredients that made the first film enjoyable.

C. Robert Cargill and Scott Derrickson return as co-writers but you certainly can’t tell. I don’t know if they used up all their tricks in the first film, but “Sinister 2” is a flat and uninspired retread that feels like one big cash grab. Nothing about it sets it apart as uniquely its own and nothing comes close to living up to its predecessor.

James Ransone is back but his character has turned in his deputy’s badge after the gruesome events of the first film. Now he works as a private detective investigating a series of murders each connected to the monstrous Bughuul (aka The Boogieman). His research leads him to a single mother named Courtney (Shannyn Sossamon) who is on the run from her abusive husband along with her two young sons. They’ve taken up residence in an isolated farmhouse, but the detective isn’t the only one to find them. Bughuul and his band of macabre kiddies have a special connection there which isn’t a good thing.

I will give the story a little credit. It does try to expand on the premise created in the first film. But literally nothing in the sequel sparks any interest or has the same creepy effect as before. The scares are nonexistent. The film can’t create any legitimate tension. There isn’t an interesting character in the entire thing. And by the time we get to the end it has flown completely off the rails.

And then there are the performances. I hate to be too critical but James Ransone left me dumbfounded. I have absolutely no idea what he is going for, but he gives one of the most unsure and tone-deaf performances I’ve seen in a long time. He seems completely out of tune with his character and doesn’t show confidence in conveying any of his character’s emotions. It doesn’t help that all of the child performances are wobbly and Lea Coco is especially awful as the over-the-top abusive father and husband.

So basically what I’m saying is “Sinister 2” is a profound mess of a movie. It stumbles around in a constant state of lethargy failing in every category that the first film nailed. Sadly the movie made money well above its budget which means we could get another one of these. But after this sloppy cash-in I can’t see me wasting my time on it.