The Black Phone 2: Why Director Scott Derrickson Returned for High School Horror Sequel

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For quite some time now, the horror genre has seen a resurgence, bringing joy to fans such as myself. Some of the most outstanding horror films in years have been unique creations like “The Black Phone” directed by Scott Derrickson. Fans have eagerly anticipated updates about the sequel, and the director recently shared some plot details along with explaining his motivation for creating the next installment.

I, a movie critic, am thrilled to share that “The Black Phone 2” is in the works, and I can’t hide my excitement for this upcoming horror masterpiece. In a recent conversation with ScreenRant, director Scott Derrickson initially shared he wasn’t particularly eager to revisit the growing horror franchise. However, as time passed and he reflected on the talented cast, his perspective shifted. As the visionary behind “Doctor Strange” put it:

“The Black Phone 2” is not just a sequel; it’s a testament to the power of second chances, the magic of storytelling, and the incredible talent that brings these stories to life. I, for one, can’t wait to see what terrifying tales this cinematic journey will unravel!

However, I came to understand that if I followed up Black Phone with The Gorge, and waited to make another film after that, all those children from the original cast would have moved on to high school. Essentially, this new project would be a high school coming-of-age story much like the first movie was a middle school coming-of-age film.

Indeed, it seems quite captivating! The original “Black Phone” film was primarily centered around middle school life, where the main character Finney and his sister Gwen grappled with familial troubles before the appearance of Ethan Hawke’s character, The Grabber. It appears that the sequel will also revolve around adolescent experiences, but this time featuring the siblings in high school.

In addition to being a chilling slasher film, “The Black Phone” incorporates elements of supernatural horror and poignant family drama. Characters Finney and Gwen leave a lasting impression on viewers, leaving us curious about how their bond has evolved and whether they’ve found resolution with their father.

Indeed, there appears to be a significant challenge in continuing the tale of the horror sequel. Specifically, in the finale of “The Black Phone,” The Grabber seems to have been killed by Finny during his escape. However, we can only speculate as to whether he survived or not; we’ll simply have to wait and find out. It’s rather difficult to envision a follow-up without its emblematic masked antagonist though.

In “The Black Phone,” the supernatural aspect appears to offer flexibility in crafting the sequel’s narrative. As demonstrated in the original film, Gwen has psychic dreams that played a crucial role in locating her brother, who was abducted by Ethan Hawke’s character. It seems this ability could be inherited, as Finny communicates with The Grabber’s past victims through a broken phone. Navigating adolescence is challenging enough, but it’s easy to imagine how much more complex it might be for someone with psychic abilities. Fingers crossed for more details about “The Black Phone 2” soon, although it likely won’t be part of the 2025 movie schedule.

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2025-02-03 19:37