BLACK PHONE 2
***
Directed by Scott Derrickson.
Starring Madeleine McGraw, Mason Thames, Ethan Hawke.
Horror, US, 114 Minutes, Certificate 15.
Released in cinemas in the UK on October 17th by Universal Pictures International
Three years after the original film's release, the black phone is ringing once more. Scott Derickson’s adaptation of Joe Hill’s short story was an effective enough film that tried to do a lot of things at once, juggling the tale of a serial killer along with the supernatural elements of his previous victims coming to the aid of his young prisoner and next potential victim. Mixed in with its pleasing late-70’s period detail and honest look at the harder edges of adolescence, were elements of trauma and strained familial relationships, adding up to a film which turned out to be somewhat overstuffed with some pieces ringing out more successfully than others. What did stand out was a truly creepy villain, The Grabber, memorably portrayed by Ethan Hawke sporting a Tom Savini designed mask, that hearkened back to horror icons of 80s cinema. Without going into spoilers it seemed that we had seen the last of The Grabber, but with box office returns being what they are, Derrickson, along with co-writer C. Robert Cargill, have devised a way to bring him back into the fold with a more satisfying sequel that deepens and strengthens the themes of the first film whilst spinning off in its own distinct direction.
Like the first film we meet protagonist Finney once again on the playground. Now very much an aggressor since his harrowing experience with The Grabber and his victims, Finney may have grown physically but seems to be retreating within himself, much to the dismay of his younger sister Gwen. With her own supernatural abilities increasing, Gwen starts to experience visions of a series of horrifying child murders that took place decades before at a remote camp. Believing that these visions are somehow linked to what she and her brother experienced, they journey to the camp, not only coming face to face with their nemesis once again but another dark secret far closer to home.
Fans of the first film should be satisfied with how certain threads continue to spin out here, with its returning characters, including Jeremy Davies' now repentant and sober father, as well as the main trio. What is also surprising is the slight focus from Finnie to Gwen as the main protagonist. With The Grabber determined to exact a supernatural revenge that will truly hurt the boy who defeated him, the film is very reminiscent of a certain long running, iconic franchise that took place in the dream realm. Where the supernatural elements involving Gwen felt slightly out of place in the previous film, the results this time around are more successful and gel better with the overall story and evolution of its reprehensible villain.
After his uninspired Apple TV film THE GORGE, it is reassuring to see Derrickson double down on the style of not only the first film, but his duo of SINISTER films. The jumpy hauntology styled 16mm stock accompanied by the static filled soundtrack is back on display here with some disturbing imagery that fully earns the film the now rarely employed 18 certificate. The wintry mountainous landscape also provides a pleasingly chilly aesthetic reminiscent of Carpenter’s THE THING mixed up with several camp set slashers. While slasher aficionados will no doubt take notice of one particular shot of The Grabber skating towards his victims nicely homaging/straight up stealing from obscure 1983 slasher CURTAINS.
The near two hour running time stretches things out in the first half, with a repetitive structure becoming apparent. Once things get going however, when Hawke gets the chance to tear up the screen in unnerving fashion, for instance, the film has a real sense of peril that is gripping, especially in comparison to other recent sequels of the past few weeks, which play it far too safe. The full-on dive into the fantastical here helps elevate the film slightly above its predecessor, along with the harder, unsettling edge. Whether this is a full stop to the story of Gwen, Finney, and The Grabber remains to be seen. If so, this is a satisfyingly entertaining way to round things out; if not, it will be interesting to see where and how far they can take things next time.
Iain MacLeod