Black Phone 2 is the sequel to the much-loved 2021 film, The Black Phone. This time, the setting is even more eerie and the audience gets to know more about the mother, the Grabber etc. The new characters add to the madness, while a few scenes are quite terrifying. The finale is nail-biting and the film ends on a justified note. On the flipside, despite the best of intentions, the narrative gets confusing and moreover, a few questions remain unanswered. The first half is slow and it gives a feeling that this is a forced sequel. It's only when things get clearer that one realizes what the makers are trying to convey. Mason Thames (Finney) displays his vulnerability convincingly. This time, his character has undergone a change and this is also taken care of by the actor in an apt manner. Madeleine McGraw (Gwen) has the maximum screen time and she rocks the show. Ethan Hawke (Grabber) oozes fear. Miguel Mora (Ernesto) and Demián Bichir (Armando) are superb in supporting roles. Arianna Rivas (Mustang) gets to play a cool character but she's underutilized. Graham Abbey (Kenneth) and Maev Beaty (Barbara) have meatier parts and raise laughs. All in all, Black Phone 2 is a great film for the Halloween weekend and a must watch for those who have seen the first part.

My rating - *** ½ out of 5!