Just spotted over on the digital haunts of r/horror, a new conversation is brewing that might just change how you view one of the most polarizing sequels of the decade. Since its release, The Black Phone 2 has been buried under a landslide of critical mixed reviews and online skepticism, but horror fans are starting to dig it back up. Developing story: it seems the Grabber’s return might be far more effective than the initial buzz suggested.
The Reddit Verdict: Better Than the Hype?
Fresh from the rumor mill and fan forums, a post by user /u/Right_Layer_9700 has sparked a massive debate. After avoiding the film due to the overwhelming negative discourse, the user finally took the plunge and found themselves pleasantly surprised. “I have avoided this movie since its release due to all the negative reviews... Finally gave it a watch and was not disappointed,” the user noted, sparking a thread of similar sentiments from fans who felt the film was unfairly maligned.
The consensus among this growing group of defenders is that the sequel successfully expands on the supernatural mythos established in the first film. Specifically, the continuation of the “child’s abilities”—presumably referring to the psychic connection to the afterlife—remains a highlight. While the first film focused heavily on the mechanics of the phone itself, the sequel appears to take a more expansive approach to the lore of the victims and their lingering influence on the living world.
A Nightmare on Elm Street Connection?
One of the more fascinating takeaways from this latest fan deep-dive is the comparison to the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. The Reddit user pointed out that while some elements felt like a “slight ripoff” from a Nightmare movie, they served the story well. This makes sense within the context of director Scott Derrickson’s style; the boundary between dreams, the afterlife, and reality has always been a playground for his brand of horror. If the sequel leans into the surrealism of Wes Craven’s legacy, it might explain why it felt jarring to critics expecting a more grounded thriller like the original.
Connecting the Lore: The Camp and the Mom
Every horror sequel faces the “expansion problem”—how do you grow the world without breaking it? The Reddit post mentions a plot point involving the mother and a “camp” that felt like a bit of a stretch. However, for many viewers, these leaps in logic are a small price to pay for more time in this dark universe. Analyzing the narrative choices, it seems Blumhouse was keen on building a broader backstory for the family, perhaps setting the stage for a lineage of psychic sensitivity that goes beyond just the Grabber’s basement.
Looking Toward the Future: The Snow Melt
Perhaps the most exciting part of this developing story is the speculation regarding a third installment. The user mentioned a “snow melt” cliffhanger, suggesting that the seasonal setting plays a massive role in the film's climax. In the world of horror, environmental shifts often signal a change in the supernatural rules. If The Black Phone 2 ends with the thawing of a long, dark winter, it could symbolize the release of even older, colder spirits trapped beneath the surface.
Take this with a grain of salt, as official word on a third film remains elusive, but the fan passion is clearly there. Whether you found the sequel to be a worthy successor or a supernatural stumble, the conversation is far from over. If you’ve been avoiding the film based on the initial wave of hate, it might be time to pick up the receiver one more time. As we’ve seen with horror classics in the past, today’s “disappointment” often becomes tomorrow’s cult favorite.