Ethan Hawke returns as The Grabber in Black Phone 2, with the newly released trailer sparking comparisons to legendary slasher films such as A Nightmare on Elm Street. The sequel to the hit 2021 horror film is set for release later this year and is already generating excitement among fans and the horror community.
A Chilling Sequel Brings The Grabber Back
The follow-up to the original supernatural thriller sees both Ethan Hawke and Mason Thames reprising their roles. Thames returns as Finn, the character who killed his abductor, The Grabber, at the end of the first installment. Despite The Grabber’s apparent demise, the notorious child serial killer reemerges, haunting Finn’s sister through disturbing dreams and mysterious phone calls. These restless nights reveal visions of three boys being preyed upon at a secluded winter camp, raising the stakes as the siblings journey there to confront the renewed menace.
Nightmare on Elm Street Inspiration and Fan Responses
The new trailer offers a haunting glimpse of the film, where Finn contacts The Grabber by phone and boldly states that the killer is dead. In a chilling reply, Hawke’s masked bogeyman warns,
“You of all people should know that dead is just a word,”
—Ethan Hawke, The Grabber—as the visuals turn increasingly nightmarish.
Fans quickly took to social media and YouTube to share their excitement about the sequel’s dark direction and stylistic nods to classic horror.
“WOW! We’re going full on Nightmare on Elm Street and I’m here for it.”
—YouTube commenter. Another viewer noted,
“This feels like a mix of Sinister and Nightmare on Elm Street, and I’m HERE for it,”
—YouTube commenter. The film’s unexpected continuation has intrigued even the skeptical, with one fan stating,
“This is a movie I did not think would ever need a sequel based on how the last one ended, but just the fact that this trailer was so well-made, I’m now intrigued!”
—YouTube commenter. The winter camp setting and chilling atmosphere also earned praise:
“A winter setting, small-town vibe, paranormal murders… I’m sold man. Need more of this,”
—YouTube commenter. Unique concepts are driving positive reactions as well, with another response applauding,
“The Grabber now being the one to haunt the phone is a neat idea!”
—YouTube commenter.
The Director’s Vision and Creative Team Insights
Director Scott Derrickson addressed the evolution of the story when discussing the film with The Hollywood Reporter:
“The first movie was a ghost movie but all the ghosts were victims, which is typical, a ghost story. But in this one, you’ve got a ghost that is a villain.”
—Scott Derrickson, Director. Derrickson shared that a direct sequel was not initially in his plans, but the original short story’s author, Joe Hill, contributed fresh concepts that reinvigorated the project. He reflected,
“I thought if I go make another movie first and don’t make a sequel now like you’re supposed to, then by the time I finish, these kids are all going to be in high school,”
—Scott Derrickson, Director, adding,
“And I can return to these characters in this different stage of their lives.”
—Scott Derrickson, Director.
The director also promised a darker tone and increased intensity for Black Phone 2, clarifying that the sequel is
“certainly more violent, scarier, more graphic”
—Scott Derrickson, Director—than the original, in part because the returning children are now older.
Expectations for Black Phone 2’s Release
With the return of Ethan Hawke as The Grabber and a plot that veers into even more frightening territory, Black Phone 2 aims to build on the legacy of its predecessor while drawing in fans of films like Sinister and A Nightmare on Elm Street. The film’s winter camp setting, paranormal elements, and the return of familiar characters hint at a sequel that expands on both the horror and mythos introduced in the original movie. Audiences can expect a chilling and graphic addition to the franchise when Black Phone 2 debuts later this year.
