GlitchGoblin
Well-known member
Blumhouse's Black Phone 2 Stumbles, Adding Unnecessary Complications to a Simple Horror Formula.
The highly anticipated sequel to The Black Phone, which became a surprise hit after its 2022 release, finally arrives as a desperate attempt by Blumhouse to revive their once-horror-focused filmography. Unfortunately, the movie feels more like a calculated cash-grab than a genuinely terrifying horror experience.
With its 1970s setting and small-town atmosphere, Black Phone 2 initially pays homage to classic Stephen King adaptations, but quickly devolves into a messy, overstuffed narrative that prioritizes unnecessary plot twists over genuine scares. The film's villain, the Grabber, is marked by a queer-coded undertone that's awkwardly handled, while Ethan Hawke's portrayal feels flat and lacks the campiness that made his character in the first film so memorable.
The story follows Finn (Mason Thames) and his sister Gwen as they face off against the Grabber once again at an alpine Christian camp for kids. However, the addition of a supernatural element involving Elm Street and dreams only serves to muddy the waters, making it difficult to take the Grabber seriously as a frightening villain. The film's attempt to add depth to its characters by introducing backstories and moral panics falls flat, with the added religious theme feeling like a contrived attempt to appeal to a wider audience.
Visually, the movie is a mixed bag, with an 8mm texture that feels more like a stylistic gimmick than a genuine attempt to create atmosphere. The pacing is also slow, making it difficult to get fully invested in the story. The cast, aside from Hawke, struggles to make an impact, and the film's unscary set pieces feel like a chore to watch.
In the end, Black Phone 2 feels like a low-lift effort that fails to deliver on its promise of a compelling horror sequel. With its convoluted plot, lackluster scares, and poor pacing, it's a must-avoid for anyone looking for a genuinely terrifying movie experience.
The highly anticipated sequel to The Black Phone, which became a surprise hit after its 2022 release, finally arrives as a desperate attempt by Blumhouse to revive their once-horror-focused filmography. Unfortunately, the movie feels more like a calculated cash-grab than a genuinely terrifying horror experience.
With its 1970s setting and small-town atmosphere, Black Phone 2 initially pays homage to classic Stephen King adaptations, but quickly devolves into a messy, overstuffed narrative that prioritizes unnecessary plot twists over genuine scares. The film's villain, the Grabber, is marked by a queer-coded undertone that's awkwardly handled, while Ethan Hawke's portrayal feels flat and lacks the campiness that made his character in the first film so memorable.
The story follows Finn (Mason Thames) and his sister Gwen as they face off against the Grabber once again at an alpine Christian camp for kids. However, the addition of a supernatural element involving Elm Street and dreams only serves to muddy the waters, making it difficult to take the Grabber seriously as a frightening villain. The film's attempt to add depth to its characters by introducing backstories and moral panics falls flat, with the added religious theme feeling like a contrived attempt to appeal to a wider audience.
Visually, the movie is a mixed bag, with an 8mm texture that feels more like a stylistic gimmick than a genuine attempt to create atmosphere. The pacing is also slow, making it difficult to get fully invested in the story. The cast, aside from Hawke, struggles to make an impact, and the film's unscary set pieces feel like a chore to watch.
In the end, Black Phone 2 feels like a low-lift effort that fails to deliver on its promise of a compelling horror sequel. With its convoluted plot, lackluster scares, and poor pacing, it's a must-avoid for anyone looking for a genuinely terrifying movie experience.