In this episode of the Grave Tone podcast, Meaghan and Arthur jump into a fresh review of The Black Phone 2, fresh off a theater viewing that for once didn’t end at midnight. They kick things off acknowledging how relentless the horror release calendar has been lately and tease a break in format for next week’s episode involving special guests.
With that out of the way, they ease us into their spoiler-free section. The Black Phone 2, released four years after the original, is a continuation of the universe started by the 2021 adaptation of Joe Hill’s short story. But this time, it’s not tethered to a specific tale from the author, it’s an original story built around familiar characters, and more importantly, an evolved threat.
We pick back up with siblings Finney and Gwen Blake. Gwen, now 15, is the focus this time. Her vivid dreams and supernatural sensitivities start to show her visions of three boys being stalked at a winter camp. As the visions intensify, Gwen and Fin set out to unravel a new mystery, only to discover the Grabber, who, despite being dead, seems to be far from finished with them.
Both hosts admit to being skeptical going in. Even though Stephen King praised the movie (always a good sign), their hopes were tempered. But as it turns out, they were both pleasantly surprised. Not only did the film avoid the usual sequel slump, but it held its own as a solid continuation with fresh emotional beats, darker visuals, and deeper character arcs.
First Impressions and Returning to the Original
Meaghan and Arthur smartly rewatched the original The Black Phone earlier in the week, which set them up perfectly to catch callbacks, references, and tonal shifts. That rewatch also reminded them just how good the original film really was.
A lot of that came down to the casting. The performances by Mason Thames (Fin) and Madeleine McGraw (Gwen) left a strong impression. Meaghan was especially struck by how intense and grounded their performances were, even more impressive considering their age at the time.
The sequel benefits from that same energy. Gwen gets a lot more time in the spotlight here, and her psychic visions take the lead in pushing the story forward. It’s not just a sequel in plot, but in focus, this is her journey now.
Arthur brings up that The Black Phone 2 felt stylistically similar to Sinister, which makes sense considering both were directed by Scott Derrickson and starred Ethan Hawke.
They talk about how the dream sequences and supernatural stylization reminded them of the creepy tapes from Sinister, possibly using similar filming techniques. Though it’s not confirmed that they used Super 8 film again, it had that raw, analog horror vibe that really works for this kind of story.
They also see shades of Nightmare on Elm Street, especially in the way dream events bleed into reality. What makes this work is how the film doesn’t treat these tropes as clichés, it puts its own spin on them and gives us new layers to familiar ideas.
Their Favorite Moments: Performances, Setting, and Stylization
Arthur and Meaghan decided to break things up a bit this episode and list their top three favorite things from the film. This worked really well to focus the conversation and bring out specific moments they loved.
- Arthur’s first pick was a key emotional scene involving the siblings’ father, Terrence.
No longer the abusive alcoholic he was in the first film, Terrence shows up to the snowed-in camp to get his kids, leading to a raw, quiet confrontation that lands hard thanks to Mason Thames’ powerful performance. That scene, without music, was full of tension and vulnerability. Meaghan agrees, Mason Thames really stepped up.
- For her part, Meaghan’s first pick was the wintry, mountainous setting of the sequel.
She appreciated how the location amplified the sense of isolation and dread. Being from Canada, she joked that she could feel the cold in her bones while watching. The snowstorm, the remote camp, and the atmosphere made the threat of the Grabber even more intense.
- Arthur’s second favorite thing? The stylization of the dream sequences and the overall darker tone.
Not just in themes, but in the literal cinematography. The darker visuals were intense but still visible, something that’s too often botched in horror films. He also praised the blending of dreams and reality, where events in the dream world had tangible effects outside of it. This crossover gave the story urgency and real stakes.
- Meaghan’s second pick was the level of continuity from the first film.
She appreciated how lines, behaviors, and emotional arcs from the original were not just referenced, but evolved. For instance, a line that Fin repeats about making fights “as bloody as possible for the audience” is a direct callback to Robin, his friend in the first movie.
Another subtle callback is how everyone now calls him “Fin” instead of “Finney”, except for the Grabber. These little details deepen the emotional threads and show the writers cared.
Meaningful Characters and Clever Callbacks
- Arthur’s third favorite element was the character development and casting overall.
He liked that even the minor characters had purpose. From Armando, the camp director, to the religious couple who ran the camp (Ken and Barb), everyone added something, whether emotional weight, humor, or useful action.
He gave special credit to Ernesto, the younger brother of Robin. Fun twist: the same actor (Miguel Mora) who played Robin in the first film now plays his little brother here. Neither host realized that while watching. It’s a subtle but powerful casting decision that added continuity and emotional punch.
- Meaghan’s third pick went a little deeper, she loved the exploration of the family’s psychic lineage.
Their mother, Hope, had abilities that the kids are now discovering more about. This film digs into how those gifts manifest in Gwen and even hints that Fin has his own version. It reframes his ability to hear the phone in the first film as part of a broader family trait, not just a fluke.
Meaghan appreciated how this spiritual connection added an emotional core to the film without bogging it down.
Wrapping Up: Sequel Success and Hopes for the Future
As they wrapped things up, Meaghan and Arthur agreed on one thing, they hope this is the end of the story. As much as they liked The Black Phone 2, the ending feels like a natural stopping point.
There’s always a risk of diminishing returns, and they worry that a third entry might stretch things too far. That said, if a prequel focusing on the Grabber’s backstory were made, they might be on board.
They also gave a shoutout to the improved gore and makeup effects, especially during the fight sequences and dream kills. Ethan Hawke continues to be fantastic in this creepy role, even with a mask on the whole time. His voice work and physical presence are still terrifying.
Finally, they reiterate how refreshing it was to see a sequel that didn’t feel like a cash grab. The Black Phone 2 takes risks, digs deeper, and gives us characters worth caring about. It honors the first movie without repeating it, and that’s rare.