Universal Pictures India, distributed by Warner Bros. Discovery, is all set to bring spine-chilling horror back to cinemas with the much-awaited sequel Black Phone 2, releasing on October 17, 2025. Four years after audiences first encountered the eerie world of The Grabber, the terror returns — and this time, the phone won’t stop ringing.
Ethan Hawke Returns as The Grabber
Academy Award–nominated actor Ethan Hawke steps back into his haunting role as The Grabber — one of the most terrifying villains in modern horror cinema. Directed by Scott Derrickson and co-written with C. Robert Cargill, the sequel continues the story based on Joe Hill’s acclaimed short story.
The film picks up four years after 13-year-old Finn narrowly escaped the clutches of the sadistic kidnapper. But even after death, The Grabber’s spirit refuses to rest. Soon, the infamous black phone begins to ring again, unleashing a new wave of supernatural horror.
A Darker, More Psychological Sequel
In Black Phone 2, the evil returns with vengeance — not in flesh, but as a psychological presence that torments Finn’s younger sister, Gwen, played by Madeleine McGraw. Gwen begins experiencing chilling visions and dreamlike phone calls from victims trapped in the beyond.
Now 17, Finn (Mason Thames) is forced to confront the terror he thought he had escaped. Together, the siblings must face an even darker force — one that feeds on their trauma and fear. Set against the eerie backdrop of a remote winter camp called Alpine Lake, the film blends psychological horror with the supernatural, taking the franchise to chilling new depths.
Ethan Hawke on Returning to Horror
Reflecting on his return to the genre, Ethan Hawke shared:
“Ghost stories have always struck me as being less about the dead than about the living. They’re about what lingers — regret, anger, love. The first film was about two kids surviving a nightmare. This one is about how hard it is to move forward. The Grabber represents the trauma and fear that continues to haunt survivors, even years later.”
His performance in the original film was praised for its eerie restraint and psychological menace — a balance Hawke is expected to deepen in this sequel.
Legacy of The Black Phone
When The Black Phone debuted in 2022, it became a breakout hit — blending supernatural horror with emotional storytelling. Directed by Doctor Strange filmmaker Scott Derrickson, the movie earned widespread acclaim for its suspense, haunting atmosphere, and standout performances by Hawke and Thames.
The sequel promises to continue that legacy while expanding its universe with new victims, deeper backstories, and an even more twisted connection between the living and the dead.
Release and What to Expect
Black Phone 2 is set to release nationwide in cinemas on October 17, marking its global debut as part of Universal’s expanding horror slate. Fans can expect edge-of-the-seat suspense, chilling sound design, and Derrickson’s signature storytelling that lingers long after the lights go out.
Jay-Ho Buzz
Ethan Hawke’s return as The Grabber in Black Phone 2 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated horror moments of 2025. With its deeper emotional themes, psychological tension, and eerie supernatural tone, this sequel promises to dial up the fear — proving once again that some nightmares never end.
