The Phone Rings Again
“When do you think happens when you die? It’s time to find out.” That’s the first line in Universal’s new tickets on sale promo for Black Phone 2, and it’s not just marketing fluff — it’s a dare. Horror sequels live or die on their ability to sharpen the blade, and Scott Derrickson clearly isn’t done cutting. The Sinister and Doctor Strange director reunites with writer C. Robert Cargill for another descent into nightmare, following up Blumhouse’s $160 million worldwide hit The Black Phone (2022).
The sequel officially hits theaters on October 17, 2025, cementing its place as Blumhouse’s big fall horror push. And with Ethan Hawke back behind that bone-white mask, it already feels like a franchise moment.
What the Trailer Shows (and Hints At)
Ethan Hawke is once again the most chilling presence on screen, reprising his role as The Grabber — except this time he’s even more dangerous. Death hasn’t dulled him; it’s made him mythic. The trailer leans hard into supernatural escalation: haunted calls, spectral visions, and nods to A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. Derrickson himself admitted the inspiration, and you can feel it in the way the Alpine Lake camp setting bends reality.
Finn (Mason Thames), now 17, isn’t the terrified kid we remember. Trauma lingers, sure, but survival has calcified him. Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), just 15, shoulders the weight of visions that would break most adults. She dreams the phone’s calls and sees three boys stalked at Alpine Lake during a blizzard. Her determination pushes both siblings back toward The Grabber, where family history and horror mythology collide.
And the trailer doesn’t shy from gore. Quick flashes suggest gnarlier kills than the first film dared, a promise Blumhouse knows horror fans are listening for.
Derrickson’s Horror Dialect
Scott Derrickson thrives in this register — halfway between grounded true-crime dread and supernatural fever dream. The Exorcism of Emily Rose worked the same muscle; Sinister sharpened it. By citing Dream Warriors, Derrickson isn’t just showing fan service, he’s situating Black Phone 2 within horror’s legacy of sequels that deepen rather than dilute.
Jason Blum clearly smells franchise blood. With the first film’s box office and the October slot, Universal is launching this as more than a one-off. This is Blumhouse doing what it does best: small-scale horror that becomes big business.
Why This Matters
Horror right now is crowded — Smile 2, Terrifier 3, Nosferatu hype bubbling under. But Black Phone 2 brings something rarer: a blend of arthouse atmosphere and commercial bite. It’s not just jump scares; it’s Derrickson channeling old-school horror lineage through modern Blumhouse polish.
And honestly, seeing Ethan Hawke dive back into his most sinister role — the kind of character actors usually run from — feels like a gift. He’s not phoning it in (pun intended); he’s dialing up.
5 Things to Know Before Watching Black Phone 2
- Release Date: Hits theaters nationwide on October 17, 2025, from Universal and Blumhouse.
- Returning Cast: Ethan Hawke, Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies, and Miguel Mora all reprise their roles.
- Director: Scott Derrickson returns, reteaming with longtime collaborator C. Robert Cargill.
- Inspiration: Derrickson cites A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors as a direct influence.
- Franchise Intent: Blumhouse positions Black Phone 2 as the beginning of a larger horror saga.
FAQs About Black Phone 2
Is Ethan Hawke really back as The Grabber?
Yes — despite his character’s fate in the first film, Hawke reprises the role, this time as a more supernatural threat.
Do you need to see the first film?
The trailer implies yes. Finn’s survival and Gwen’s visions directly tie back to The Black Phone (2022).
Where can you watch the new trailer?
The final tickets on sale trailer is live on Universal’s official YouTube.
Final Thoughts
Horror sequels can be lazy cash-ins — but this trailer doesn’t smell lazy. It smells like Derrickson digging into horror lineage, Blumhouse flexing its business instincts, and Ethan Hawke embracing a role that already has cult status.
The phone is ringing again. The only question left is: will you answer on October 17?
