The Black Phone

by

In 2022, I found “The Black Phone” to be one of the top movies and most chilling horror films of the decade thus far. The storyline was mostly self-contained, offering a satisfying conclusion. The villain, expertly portrayed by Ethan Hawke, appeared to meet his end. However, the unexpected happened – “The Black Phone 2” began filming at the end of January. Despite the original director, Scott Derrickson, not planning a sequel initially, it seems that things have taken an unexpected turn.

Speaking of it, the upcoming film by Derrickson titled “The Gorge” premieres on Apple TV+ this Valentine’s Day. The film featuring Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy offers a unique blend of genres, serving as an intense horror story as well as a heartfelt portrayal of contemporary dating relationships. In an interview with MovieWeb, Derrickson discussed both projects and shared insights about his creative path from “The Black Phone” to “The Gorge“, and eventually to “The Black Phone 2“.

Working on “The Black Phone” proved to be incredibly healing for me. It seemed to wrap up years of therapeutic work, allowing me to confront and understand my own childhood experiences, particularly those involving violence. The completion of the movie signaled the end of this personal journey I had been on. Later, an idea for a sequel from Joe Hill sparked my interest. At first, I had no desire to do it, but then I thought, “That’s a good concept. I can create something meaningful from that.

Derrickson mused, “That thought crossed my mind.” Later, he contemplated the consequences if he produced a major film initially, as he had with “The Gorge“. In that case, the children would be in high school. The prospect of creating a sequel that was a high school horror movie, mirroring the original’s middle school setting, appealed to him because he hadn’t made a genuine high school horror film before.

The Difference Between Middle School Horror in ‘The Black Phone’ & High School Horror in the Sequel

Chapter One, with characters around middle school age, fall into the category of middle school horror. High school horror, as perceived by Derrickson, seems to be more gruesome and intense.

Working on this project has made me feel compelled to take a more intense approach, delving deeper into violent scenarios. Exploring how these characters have evolved since the first movie was captivating. I hold these characters dear, and the same goes for the talented cast. As we developed the script, I found myself excited about the concept and its potential. We wrapped up filming last week, and I can hardly wait to complete the film and share it with everyone.

In the upcoming movie, Ethan Hawke is expected to reappear, even though his terrifying character, The Grabber, met his demise in the initial film. Could it be that he’ll make a ghostly return, much like Mason Thames’ character encountered physical visits from spirits in the first flick? Director Derrickson was straightforward about it:

Ethan Hawke is slated to rejoin the cast of the movie, despite his villainous character The Grabber being killed off in the initial film. Will he resurface as a spectral entity, similar to how Mason Thames’ protagonist encountered embodied spirits in the first installment? Derrickson confirmed this possibility:

I’ve given you all the information on The Black Phone 2 that you’re going to get.

It’s only right, yet we’re eagerly anticipating our conversation about it when it becomes available. For now, though, prepare for “The Gorge” on Apple TV+, launching on February 14, 2025. You can catch it through the link provided below:

[Link to The Gorge on Apple TV+]

Watch The Gorge

Read More

2025-02-11 20:36