The Black Phone 2 footage has been revealed at CinemaCon, showcasing the Grabber’s ominous, Freddy Krueger-like return as he haunts Finney. The story of The Black Phone 2 is an original continuation of the first movie, which was adapted from Joe Hill’s short story of the same name. While the first movie managed to tell the story of the source material in full, a sequel was announced, which will include the return of Ethan Hawke as the Grabber, despite his death in the previous film.
ScreenRant was in attendance at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Universal Pictures revealed a new teaser for The Black Phone 2. The teaser begins with a payphone/phone booth off the side of the road in winter. Finney (Mason Thames) is walking and stops when he sees the payphone. Three pH๏τos are shown being placed on a table; then it cuts to a boy inside a basement, with someone very slowly and loudly walking down the stairs.
Later, Finney answers the phone and the Grabber appears on the outside. He says, “Hello Finney. Did you think our story was over? You of all people know that death is just a word.” Finney is shown in the phone booth a lot, with scenes of the other boy (or kids) being attacked and nearly murdered. In essence, the Grabber is now embodying Freddy Krueger as he targets kids after his death.
What The Black Phone 2’s New Footage Means For The Sequel
Death Is Not The End For The Grabber
The Black Phone ended with a definitive finale, as Finney was able to kill his captor and escape, helped by the ghosts of the victims he spoke to through the phone. In the sequel, however, it appears the phone is going to be used so he can communicate with the Grabber, whose power has seemingly grown with death despite getting taunted by his past victims in his final moments. This means the threat is going to be even more unpredictable, as there’s no way of knowing who he’ll target, nor when he’ll attack them.
Alongside Finney and the Grabber, other characters from The Black Phone returning in the sequel include Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), Terrence (Jeremy Davies), and Robin (Miguel Mora). Demián Bichir and Arianna Rivas have been cast in undisclosed roles, rounding out the major characters in the film. However, it seems the core conflict will be between Hawke and Thames’ characters, as the lone survivor of his previous murder spree tries to find out how to stop his supernatural murders. It’s unfamiliar territory for him, which could lead to unpredictable consequences.
Mason Thames will also star in two other movies in 2025, first as Hiccup in How to Train Your Dragon, and as Miller in Regretting You.
Our Take On The Black Phone 2’s Teaser Footage
An Interesting Direction For The Sequel To Progress
With The Black Phone 2 seemingly pulling inspiration from the likes of A Nightmare on Elm Street, the movie is promising a very different type of horror experience from the original. However, this could work to its favor, as it makes the Grabber an even more unpredictable force of nature compared to the first movie. While it’s unclear how the story will progress, the new installment will offer a creatively unique departure from the original.
The Black Phone 2 arrives in theaters on Octobr 17, 2025.
Source: Universal Pictures
