Freddy…uh the Grabber is back in Black Phone 2 the sequel to 2016’s The Black Phone. Sharing a shockingly similar story to the original Nightmare on Elm Street, our story picks up four years after the death of the killer known only as The Grabber. Finney (Mason Thames) along with his sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) are trying to piece their lives back together following the traumatic abduction four years earlier. Gwen is troubled by constant dreams of the past, the visions of dead boys, and a call from her deceased mother from a camp several years before either of them was born. Finney is constantly receiving phone calls on phones that are out of order, doing his best to ignore them when possible.
As Gwen’s dreams intensify, she finds herself drawn to a Christian camp with images of murdered boys and cryptic messages being written in ice. In an effort to understand what these images mean and to find respite from the dreams that haunt her every night, she enlists the help of her new beau Robin (Miguel Mora) and her reluctant brother Finney. Upon reaching the camp, a blizzard rolls in preventing the trio from any chance of escape. Facing the elements, the unusual cast of characters at the camp, and a supernatural killer who is out for revenge, it’s up to them to solve the mystery that has led them to the camp and put the killer to bed, forever.
Reprising their roles from the original film, Miguel Mora, Madeleine McGraw and Mason Thames all do an absolutely incredible job of portraying the kids who are all suffering from some sort of PTSD. As with the first movie, it’s the incredible acting of Ethan Hawke as The Grabber that steals the show. Hawke has a knack of portraying the role so convincingly that you actually forget who it is behind the mask and suit. Much like the first movie, it would be almost impossible to tell it is him simply based on his acting alone.
The returning cast is joined by several newcomers to the franchise. Demian Bichir (Armando) portrays the likeable and wise camp owner, Arianna Rivas as his niece Mustang, and camp ultra-Christian couple Maev Beaty(Barbara) and Graham Abbey (Kenneth). Unlike Nightmare on Elm Street that while a classic, has a large amount of cheese, the actors here all portray believable and flawed characters. They all have a backstory that ties them together and are in a situation where they would likely never work together otherwise.
Black Phone 2 is an incredible sequel. In a movie franchise that appeared to be one and done from the first one, it takes the story in ways that while unexpected, certainly prove to be successful. Opening in theaters on October 17th, it’s a great way to enjoy the spooky season this year.
4 out of 5 stars.
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