With October’s alluring eeriness and spooky appeal, millions of horror fans beckoned The Black Phone 2’s call when it debuted in theaters October 17th. With many fans and viewers accrediting the creation of The Black Phone 2 to be one of the best horror movies released this year, challenging other praised horror films released like Weapons on August 8th. However, audiences have been comparing the plot of The Black Phone 2 to the plot of Wes Craven’s 1984 A Nightmare On Elm St, sparking a debate of reviews over whether or not a sequel was really needed.
In the first movie, the protagonist, Finney, is kidnapped by The Grabber. During his time held captive in the antagonist’s basement, Finney discovers a Black Phone, through which he receives calls from the spirits of The Grabber’s victims, including the spirit of his missing friend, Robin, who teaches Finney how to fight The Grabber using the Black Phone as a weapon.
In the end, Finney kills The Grabber and audiences are left satisfied, having a touching reunion between Finney and his sister Gwen, whose prophetic dreams led the police to The Grabber’s house in time, and his father who had his world rocked by his son’s disappearance. Viewers left the theatre content, and without suspicion of a sequel with the obvious death of the main villain. So when it was announced that The Black Phone 2 was coming out October 17th, audiences were surprised, a little confused, and excited for the movie’s release.
Entering, viewers were curious how Scott Derrickson, director of The Black Phone, would resurrect the villain or introduce a new one. Leaving, audiences were divided on whether or not the movie was actually needed, with some going as far as to claiming the sequel takes away from the plot and theme of The Black Phone, tarnishing the overall look of the franchise.
One of the critics of the The Black Phone 2’s plot, who acclaimed laziness, compares the plot to that of Wes Craven’s cult classic A Nightmare on Elm St. In short, the movie, and its franchise, focuses on the antagonist Freddy Krueger, the spirit of a man burned by parents of his town because of his crimes, and who kills their children through their dreams.
Is this comparison accurate? Yes.
Critic Alonso Duralde pointed out the obvious underlying plot reference, or rather imitation of the cult classic.
“It’s got fresh ideas, bold visuals, and resonant performances, but once it turns the first movie’s chilling villain, the Grabber (played indelibly by Ethan Hawke), into a rehashed Freddy Krueger, the thrill is very much gone.”
Even though the sequel may have been disappointing for some, fans and critics alike appreciate the acting, the graphics, and having a new horror movie in time for Halloween.
After answering the Black Phone 2’s call, I give it a solid 4 out of 5. I enjoyed its suspenseful, supernatural, and slasher themes, but I may just be a little biased in my appreciation for Wes Craven horror.
