“The phone is ringing again.” That line alone sets the tone for “Black Phone 2,” the sequel to the 2021 horror hit. Directed by Scott Derrickson and starring Ethan Hawke, Mason Thames, and Madeleine McGraw, this movie brings the Grabber back on the screen.

Going into the movie, I didn’t have high expectations. I had liked the first “Black Phone,” but like most sequels, I assumed this one would also be one of the forgettable horror follow-ups. I was wrong, “Black Phone 2” somehow managed to be just as eerie and even more emotional in comparison to the original.

The movie picks up a few years after Finney, played by Mason Thames, had escaped The Grabber. He’s older now, but still haunted and traumatized by what happened. His sister, Gwen, played by Madeleine McGraw, starts getting mysterious calls from the same black phone that once helped Finney survive. Things get intense when those calls lead them to a snowy camp where the past returns. 

The movie itself was filled with unexpected jump scares, disturbing moments, and gore, but it still manages to tell a dark and emotional story. The setting feels cold and isolating, and the lighting gives every scene this uneasy feeling. You can feel Finney’s fear and guilt throughout. It was powerful in the sense that it reflected on facing fears through empowerment and faith. 

By the end, I realized I was holding my breath through the movie. “Black Phone 2” is the perfect movie if you like horror that’s creepy, emotional, and keeps you thinking afterward.