‘Black Phone 2’ is a supernatural horror film directed by Scott Derrickson. It resembles a Flannery O’Connor-style story and features deep Christian themes. Produced and distributed by Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions and Universal Pictures, it serves as a sequel to ‘The Black Phone’ (2021). The film stars Ethan Hawke, Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, and Jeremy Davies, all reprising their roles from the first film.
Scott Derrickson has discussed how his faith influences his work. He doesn’t express it in an overtly evangelistic manner, but he weaves spiritual truths throughout his stories with intentionality. Nowhere is this more evident than in the highly praised ‘Black Phone 2’. With most of the original cast returning, the film offers an allegorical perspective reminiscent of an altar call and Sunday School class, not merely leaning towards a Universalist viewpoint but specifically highlighting Jesus!
Despite the film’s thematic depth, it includes bad language, mild drug use, violence, and gore, meriting its ‘R’ rating. I anticipate criticism for reviewing such a movie; however, those critics often won’t watch it to understand what they are commenting on. I might lose some friends and followers for this opinion, but authenticity matters to me.
While ‘Black Phone 2’ could stand alone, familiarity with the first film enhances the understanding of certain elements. Personally, I found ‘Black Phone 2’ to be even better than its predecessor.
Mason Thames portrays Finney Blake, the Grabber’s only known survivor. After the traumatic events, Finney faces violent outbursts, starts smoking weed, and suffers from headaches. Madeleine McGraw plays Gwen Blake, Finney’s psychic younger sister, who seems to experience dreams and nightmares while sleepwalking. These sequences remind me of the original ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’.
Derrickson excels in both scriptwriting and direction. We witness Gwen struggling, yet she holds onto her faith in Jesus. The spiritual and dark threats she faces are among the few things that terrify her older brother Finney. When Fin discovers the murderous serial killer is linked to Gwen’s dreams and visions, the siblings and a friend return to the old camp where their mother used to work.
Everything about this movie, from the direction to the stunning cinematography, is spectacular. Even the songs and score contribute significantly to the film, elevating it beyond a typical horror movie. The story is presented in a thought-provoking manner, where seeds of contemplation can be planted and nurtured for growth.
Several scenes in ‘Black Phone 2’ explore character development, especially for Gwen, who recalls her mother sharing Bible stories about Jesus, while her father was uninterested in that faith. The film illustrates how people often judge situations without knowing the full circumstances.
One of the most impactful aspects of the film is Gwen’s heartfelt prayers, which resonate deeply and stand out even compared to those from some so-called Christian film productions. While her prayers reflect fear and suffering, don’t we believe that God desires a genuine, personal relationship and knows our hearts before we speak? King David serves as a great example of this. Here, Gwen’s prayers are vital to the story and feel authentic and necessary.
The narrative takes the kids to a Christian youth camp during a violent winter storm. The camp, run by a former drug addict who has undergone a spiritual transformation, is staffed with helpers, including an older couple embodying a seemingly extreme form of charismania. Unfortunately, they come across as judgmental. This aspect of the film presents two illustrations: one form of Christianity that is extremely judgmental and another that, while struggling, remains genuine. This contrast reminds me of the biblical story in which one man laments his flaws while another is filled with pride and arrogance. Through this, we observe the power of a strong witness and its impact on others.
I could continue to discuss this film at length, but I absolutely loved it. It encompasses everything a horror movie should be: dark, frightening, and thought-provoking. For those who are quick to judge, isn’t much of the Bible filled with stories (parables) told by Jesus? Aren’t movies a modern-day version of storytelling?
This film may be one of my two favorites from the last year (along with ‘Sinners’), but it falls just short on a scale of 1 to 10, receiving a 9.5.
Again, if you plan to see it, make sure to use the bathroom first—there are several jump scares that even got to this seasoned moviegoer, along with moments of genuine fear, thanks in part to the excellent build-up.
