Black Phone 2 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.0

Black Phone 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

"O grave, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?"

Reviewed by Justin Dekker January 13, 2026

The sequel to the 2021 film 'The Black Phone', 'Black Phone 2' arrives on Blu-ray disc courtesy of Universal. Based on a short story by Joe Hill, and directed by Scott Derrickson ('Sinister', 'The Black Phone'), the film sees Ethan Hawke ('Daybreakers'), Mason Thames ('How to Train Your Dragon (2025)'), and Madeline McGraw ('Secrets of Sulphur Springs') reprise their roles from the previous outing. The release features solid technical merits and and an assortment of on-disc supplemental features including deleted scenes, several making-of segments, and a feature commentary with Derrickson. An embossed slipcover, and a Digital Code redeemable via Movies Anywhere are also included.

Suffering the ultimate defeat at Finn's hands in Black Phone seemed like the end for The Grabber, but horror fans know it's tough to keep a good villain down. The time that's passed since the first film has not been kind to Finn (Mason Thames). He seems a bit lost. Various phones still ring for him, but he quickly tells the otherworldly callers he can't help them and hangs up. It's not long before Gwen (Madeline McGraw) starts having disturbing dreams and the phones start ringing for her, too. Gradually putting the pieces together, the siblings head to the snowy and remote Alpine Lake Camp, a place where their mother worked in her youth, and that may hold answers to questions about The Grabber (Ethan Hawke). Each answer leads to more questions that must be resolved if the mystery involving The Grabber will be solved, and Finn and Gwen will also need to survive their dreams and the bitter, bitter cold.

Not having revisited the first film since seeing it upon its release in 2021, I didn't have a clear recollection of the initial installment of the now two-part Black Phone franchise. As I work through a fair number of films in any given week, I simply can't remember them all with exacting clarity. I did, however, recall liking the film well enough. As I walked over the 4K player, I caught a glimpse of a blurb on the back of the slipcover which declared the film a "masterpiece". Not being one for effusive praise or hyperbole myself, the statement gave me pause. Having not heard much buzz about the film since it's theatrical release, had a "masterpiece" truly escaped my notice? I was curious to find out.

A few minutes with the film was enough to bring a number of memories of the first film racing back, and I rapidly started taking stock of the changes that had occurred in the intervening years. Gwen had grown up quite a bit, and used enough slang and exuberant enthusiasm over an upcoming Duran Duran concert to squarely place the film's action in the early 1980s, even if her hairstyle was a bit too dowdy for that era. Finn has taken a surprising turn for the worse. As a high schooler and the notorious boy who killed a serial killer, he's not above using bully-like tactics and physical violence to keep his classmates from becoming to close or inquisitive. He's rude to and dismissive of his sister, Gwen (Madeline McGraw). In one moment he derides his father for being a drunk, even as the man is weeks away from obtaining his three-year chip. Yet hypocritically, in the next moment, he indulges in marijuana use just to "feel something", as he pathetically whines to Gwen. In short, he's utterly unlikeable. He's essentially become his father. It's not a great place for him to start the film, and he spends a fair amount of time in this mode. While frustrating, it does serve something of narrative purpose as it pushes the audience's attention and good will toward Gwen, who is steadily positioned as the film's protagonist.

Interestingly, faith, in a sideways manner, plays into the film. The bulk of the film's action takes place at Alpine Lake Camp, a religious camp located in the snowy mountains of Colorado. It's clear that neither child really wants to go for the intended purpose of the counselor recruitment flier that Gwen presents to her brother. They simply need to secure jobs at the camp to solve the mystery that's in front of them. However, rather than joyful or uplifting, the camp is presented as smothering and repressive, staffed by a stereotypical ageing hippy and a repressed prude. The prude, Barbara (Maev Beaty), seems to exist solely to be the butt of many a joke. She spouts dialogue akin to "She's the got the devil in her!", in a manner that characterizes her as being not only being bought into the Satanic panic of the era, but also as patently ridiculous. This is amplified by the treatment she receives from our heroine, Gwen. Gwen's not consistently vulgar. In behavior that seems almost exclusively reserved for the woman, Gwen has a propensity to spew some fairly graphic and hateful language in Barbara's direction, and she does so with relish, knowing exactly how vile her words feel to her ears. While the pompous and self-important Barbara is admittedly deserving of being knocked off the pedestal that she put herself atop, the way the Gwen does it feels more like an attack on religion itself rather than on one particular adherent. The young lady's love interest, Ernesto (Miguel Mora), in what he intends to be comforting at best and seductive at worse, fetishizes Gwen's beliefs, stating that he finds women who talk to Jesus as "hot".

Reflecting on Black Phone 2, the film smacks me more as a mystery with horror elements rather than true horror, and the reasons for this assessment are numerous. For all of its spooky musical cues, its jump scares, and its staring and grasping reanimated dead, what is initially perceived as real and growing risk for our intrepid heroes is soon discovered to be mere window dressing; horror movie trappings and posturing, if you will. For in these moments, the intended jeopardy and threat never truly materializes. Rather than being deadly, each of these encounters, whether they be in the "dream world", over the phone, or in the real world, rather than demonstrating the lethality of the now supernatural Grabber, each event simply seems intended to provide our substitute Scooby gang with another clue; either to a place to visit, a hint of the identity of the culprit, or the way to neutralize him. In a simple supernatural mystery, this could be interesting. However, in a horror movie, the stubborn and steadfast resistance to creating any sort of body count only serves to remove any and all sense of risk for the characters on the screen, and all but guarantees their supremacy by the film's end. The odd drops of blood may spill, but Gwen and Finn feel increasingly invincible, and their success becomes all but assured. As a result, the jeopardy isn't real, and The Grabber is toothless (How to Train your Dragon pun definitely intended). Worse, the final resolution of Gwen and Finn's adventure is far too neat, tidy, and, dare I say, cheerful. It's all handled in a manner far more consistent with the wrap-up of a cozy, tear-jerking drama rather than what should be found at the close of a dark and sinister horror film. Or even just a spooky mystery.

Black Phone 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Black Phone 2 looks quite pleasing on Blu-ray. Viewers will note from the very start that fine detail levels are quite high, as young Hope makes her strange phone call from a phone booth situated on the edge of Alpine Lake. Each hair on her head is distinguishable, her sweater and jacket present with solid tactile realism, and wear and age are discernible on the pay phone she uses. This is the case for the rest of the film whenever we're in the real world. The color palette has a blue push, enhancing the cold and icy feeling of outdoor scenes in and around 1982 Denver and the snowy camp to which Finn and Gwen travel over the course of their investigation. The film is fairly dark, with the intent of which seemingly lies in the belief that a plethora of shadows and dimly-lit spaces will automatically translate to an atmosphere of fear and dread. This does occasionally become a bit problematic when such darkened interior spaces such as Enersto's car, the family room where Finn watches music videos, and the cabins at the camp, can see environmental and character details lost to the shadows. When in "dream world" as the film seems to be for a third or more of the film, it's a different matter. To make it easier for audiences to understand and recognize the switch, these moments are filmed in Super 8, which results in an image layered in chunky grain, colors appear washed out, and fine details take a significant downturn. But this is all intentional.

Black Phone 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

A Dolby Atmos track accompanies the mysterious events of Black Phone 2. As enticing as that may sound, it's one of the more restrained Atmos tracks I've experienced. A stound-out moment occurs as the gang loads up Ernesto's car and heads to Alpine Lake. Here, Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 1" seeps ominously out of the speakers. Guitarwork is precise and crisp, and the sound separation is impressive. Vocals fill the stage, and bass support is purposeful but not oppressive. The song fades into the background just enough to allow the conversation in the car to rise to the front, before it reasserts itself for the final portion of their snowy journey. Once there, we're treated to one of the most appealing moments of environmental immersion as the snowstorm's winds envelop the viewer, placing them squarely in the middle of the whistling gales. Distorted music often surrounds the viewers during the "dream world" scenes as well, with surrounds also used in support of the jarring musical cues that accompany The Grabber and several jump scares. But for the most part, it's a fairly dialogue-heavy film. Voices are generally kept front and center, and are always properly prioritized. Every shriek, whisper, curse, and prayer is intelligible. Directionality is strong, and bass is more than sufficient to add realism to sound effects and menace to the score's more aggressive moments. It's an enjoyable track.

Black Phone 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Black Phone 2 includes the following assortment of on-disc supplemental features.

• Deleted Scenes (7.47) - Seven deleted scenes are included.

• Dialed In: The Cast of 'Black Phone 2' (10.33) - The primary cast members and others share their thoughts on the making of the second film.

• A Story Carved in Ice (10.45) - This behind-the-scenes feature deals with the origin of the sequel, the story, the effects, and stunt work.

• Frozen in Time (10.12) - Cast and crew discuss the setting of the film in terms of both the physical locations and the era.

• Feature Commentary - Director/Co-Writer/Producer Scott Derrickson takes viewers through this viewing option. After bidding welcome to the "DVD commentary listener", Derrickson begins his commentary by discussing the vintage logo being used at the film's start. From there, he discusses the opening scene, and the film's structure which starts with a question the answer to which leads to a cascade of other questions. The parallel structure between this film and the one previous is also discussed. He shares his conversation with writer Joe Hill which ultimately led to the sequel. Considering the number of hats Derrickson wore on this project, he is able to share a wealth of information across a variety of topics, taking the time to point out elements that relate to his experience growing up in the era where the film is set. It's a relaxed and informative listen.

Black Phone 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It's Gwen who dramatically recites the quote from scripture found in the deck at the top of this review. And while she uses those words to taunt and belittle The Grabber, I would level the same questions at the film. Where is the "sting" of death? Given the unique remote and snowy setting, Ethan Hawk's skills, and The Grabber's interesting costume and prosthetics, what should have been a frosty and frightening film contents itself with being little more than a spooky mystery with solid effects and a few jump scares. For fans of the franchise for whom the presence of the heroic leads and the furthering of The Grabber's story is sufficient, a purchase is justifiable. For everyone else, a rental before a purchase is recommended.