Director Scott Derrickson has confirmed that Black Phone 2, the sequel to the chilling 2021 horror hit, will deliver a more intense and visceral experience when it hits theaters on October 17, 2025. With returning star Mason Thames and the possible comeback of Ethan Hawke, the movie is expected to plunge deeper into darkness—both emotionally and visually.
The original film, based on Joe Hill’s short story, introduced audiences to Finney Shaw (Thames), a kidnapped teen trapped by a sadistic killer known as The Grabber (Hawke). Communicating with the spirits of the killer’s previous victims through a mysterious disconnected phone, Finney fought his way to freedom. The movie became a breakout success, grossing over $161 million worldwide on a modest $18 million budget, and earning high praise in Horror Movie Reviews.
This time, Derrickson is not holding back. The director revealed that Black Phone 2 will be “more violent, scarier, more graphic” than its predecessor. A major reason? The characters are older, raising the emotional and thematic stakes. “A middle school coming-of-age horror movie is a different animal than a high school coming-of-age horror film,” he said. “There’s a ratcheting up of intensity because of that.”
Time constraints also played a role in the urgency to start production. “If I go make another movie first and don’t make a sequel now, then by the time I finish, these kids are all going to be in high school,” Derrickson noted.
Joe Hill, son of Stephen King and a master of Psychological Thriller storytelling, helped craft the sequel’s new narrative. Although a follow-up wasn’t initially guaranteed, Derrickson said the evolving story changed everything. “It wasn’t a foregone conclusion,” he told. “But once the story came together, it was too good to pass up. A lot of surprises, for sure.”
Ethan Hawke, whose portrayal of The Grabber left a haunting mark on audiences, has expressed willingness to return. In an interview, he called Derrickson a “visionary” and added, “Basically, if he wants me to be in Black Phone 2, I’m gonna do it.”
With its bold creative vision, returning cast, and deeper dive into dread, Black Phone 2 is poised to be a major highlight in the film industry next year. Fans can expect a terrifying evolution of the original—one filled with blood, mystery, and unexpected turns.
