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14h ago

‘The Black Phone 2’ Readies Oct. 17 Release With Bloodier R Rating and Ethan Hawke’s Return

New footage and the director’s remarks point to a harsher sequel as early notices praise the leads but note uneven writing.

Ethan Hawke in The Black Phone
Image by Nimesh Niyomal
Image via Universal Pictures
Image

Overview

  • Universal and Blumhouse are rolling out the sequel on October 17 with Scott Derrickson back directing and co-writing with C. Robert Cargill.
  • The film is rated R for strong violent content, gore, teen drug use, and language, with Derrickson saying the tone is more intense to suit older characters.
  • Set four years after the first story, the plot centers on Finney and Gwen drawn to visions tied to a snowbound camp called Alpine Lake as a supernatural Grabber resurfaces.
  • Ethan Hawke reprises the villain, with Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw returning alongside Jeremy Davies and Miguel Mora, and Demián Bichir joining the cast.
  • After a Fantastic Fest premiere, reactions range from strong audience buzz to mixed critical reviews like Collider’s, which highlight standout performances and striking dream sequences alongside thematic and pacing issues.