In North Denver during 1982, we’ve got Finney who’s still dealing with the trauma of escaping a nasty serial killer known as the Raptor. He was the only one who got away, but it’s left him pretty messed up. He’s trying to cope with all that’s happened, sometimes by just lighting up and smoking pot. His sister Gwen is going through her own thing—she’s having creepy visions about kids under ice and nightmares where it feels like she’s talking to their mom who died long ago.

So, to figure out what’s really going on and maybe get some answers, Gwen gets her brother Finney and a guy she’s into named Ernesto to sign up as camp counselors at Alpine Lake—a chilly spot where their mom used to work decades ago. Once they arrive, it becomes clear there’s more than meets the eye at this winter camp, especially when they start uncovering stories about kids going missing there, raising old fears that maybe the Raptor isn’t really gone or perhaps there’s more treachery lurking around.

The first movie didn’t really hint at a follow-up in its plotline, yet here we are with Black Phone 2 because why not revisit what had folks eager for more? Bringing back dead killers has its chill factor—think Freddy Krueger haunting dreams even though he’s been long gone. Plus, setting this sequel in the ’80s makes sense since that’s kind of Krueger’s era too. Who knows how things will shake out!
Alright, let’s talk about this movie Derrickson and Cargill cooked up. So, it’s based on a story by Joe Hill—yep, Stephen King’s kid—but don’t expect a carbon copy; Joe just lends the characters to the mix here.

Derrickson really dives into the creepy vibes in his own way. Instead of going all nostalgic and copying ’80s horror flicks, he brings a fresh take with some pretty intense and dream-like scenes. It’s not just imitation; he’s got his own groove going that’s both thoughtful and impactful.

Now, if you caught the first “Black Phone,” you’d remember it had this super tight, cramped feeling to it. This second one? Total flip—it opens up into these snowy plains with blizzards swirling around frozen lakes—equally haunting but for totally different reasons. It gives off serious “nowhere to run” vibes that’ll keep you on edge.

There’s a long part in the movie where they lay everything out clearly—what’s happening, what makes everyone tick—that sorta slows things down a bit, maybe drags in places. But hang tight! Derrickson keeps the visuals popping with nerve-jangling scenes that ramp up the tension when needed.

He’s got an eye for creating moments that are not just scary but also look amazing on screen. You can feel his knack for crafting something that feels new while it pays its respects to what came before.
This movie’s all about that epic fight between Good and Evil, and let me tell you, it goes all out. It’s even got some mystical and religious vibes, which was kind of rare back in the day this is set. The storyline doesn’t really break new ground, but they keep you hooked with killer suspense and perfectly placed jump scares.

The three main stars are back from the last film! Mason Thames and Ethan Hawke? Yeah, they totally nail their roles again. But it’s Madeleine McGraw who really steals the show as the little sister with psychic powers. She’s just so good at making her character feel real and layered. You can’t help but be drawn into her world!