The original “The Black Phone” was one of my favorite horror films in recent years. It was creepy, moody and a perfect blend of tension and jump scares. Set in the real world with a dash of paranormal, the film balanced humor, pacing and story in a way that felt fresh and memorable.

When news of a sequel dropped, I had a lot of questions. Would it be a prequel exploring the origins of the Grabber? Would it follow Finn dealing with a new threat? Perhaps a copycat killer? The first trailer offered a hint: the sequel is set in the mountains, featuring a ghost Grabber wreaking havoc.

Sitting down in the theater, I realized I was conflicted. Viewed through one lens, I had a good time; through another, I was left disappointed. Here’s my take on “Black Phone 2.”

Lens 1: The campy slasher I enjoyed

One of the ways to appreciate this movie is as a campy slasher film. It leans into familiar tropes while adding some subtle (and not-so-subtle) nods to classics like “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Friday the 13th.”

Isolation and setting

The movie’s setting — a mountain camp in the dead of winter — is great. The isolation heightens tension and makes the stakes feel immediate.

Unlike summer camp slashers set in sunlit forests, this environment adds a cold, claustrophobic element that works surprisingly well. It makes the audience feel trapped, much like the characters themselves.

The ‘unstoppable’ factor

There’s an element of suspense that keeps you on edge: How do you stop an unstoppable force? The terror of what’s lurking behind a door, or even behind your closed eyes, permeates the movie.

While it’s not a perfect homage to the golden age of ’70s and ’80s slashers, it’s effective enough to keep viewers engaged and invested in the climactic showdown.

Viewed this way, “The Black Phone 2” is a fun, somewhat silly ride. I laughed, jumped and waited for the next unexpected scare. It’s campy, it’s over-the-top and it leans into horror for the thrill.

Lens 2: The sequel that didn’t work

As a follow-up to “The Black Phone,” this movie struggles.

Tone and world

The first film was a slow-burning, psychological horror with creepy, tense atmospheres and minimal gore. It built its world carefully, fleshing out the Grabber’s personal life, his relationships and Finn’s family. “The Black Phone 2” abandons much of that subtlety.

Yes, the same characters and supernatural elements are present, but it feels like an entirely different universe. The carefully crafted tone of dread and suspense is replaced by a faster-paced, more action-oriented approach.

Character development

Some character backstory is provided for Finn and his family, but it lacks the emotional weight and specificity that made the first film so effective. The antagonist’s depth, the thing that made the Grabber frightening — beyond just his acts — is largely gone. Without that, the movie loses the sense of psychological terror that was a hallmark of the original.

Viewed through this lens, the film is underwhelming. The brilliance of the first makes it hard to fully enjoy the sequel on its own terms.

What parents should know

“The Black Phone 2” is rated R and earns it. The film contains frequent strong language, gore and graphic violence, much of it toward children. It features an antagonist who is a child killer, which carries a handful of disturbing and frightening moments.

There’s a high level of tension throughout, and younger viewers should not watch “The Black Phone 2.” This is a horror film firmly aimed at older teens and adults. Parents should prepare for a mix of jump scares, gore and suspense.

Conclusion

In the end, “The Black Phone 2” is a mixed bag. On one hand, it’s entertaining — if you approach it as a campy mountain-camp slasher. It’s visually engaging, tense and filled with gory fun. On the other hand, as a true sequel to the original, it falls short. The mood, pacing and psychological tension that made the first film memorable are mostly absent.

If you go in expecting a standalone horror flick with a ghostly killer and some fun scares, you’ll have a good time. If you were hoping for a continuation of the original’s unique tone and depth, you might leave the theater disappointed.

“The Black Phone 2” is officially rated R for strong language, graphic violence and intense horror content.

The Key Takeaways for this article were generated with the assistance of large language models and reviewed by our editorial team. The article, itself, is solely human-written.