In a Hollywood landscape where horror sequels often ring hollow, Ethan Hawke‘s chilling resurrection as The Grabber in The Black Phone 2 has moviegoers answering the call with fervor. As the supernatural thriller slashes its way to a projected $24.4 million opening weekend, Blumhouse Productions is dialing up a much-needed comeback, proving that true terror never dies—it just evolves. This USA box office smash not only outpaces its 2022 predecessor but also signals a revival for the studio amid a string of 2025 flops, with Hawke‘s magnetic menace at the heart of the hysteria.
A Haunting Sequel That Picks Up Where Nightmares Left Off
Released on October 17, 2025, The Black Phone 2 picks up the threads of trauma from the original film, which captivated audiences with its blend of supernatural suspense and coming-of-age grit. Directed once again by Scott Derrickson—who co-wrote the script with C. Robert Cargill—the sequel shifts focus to the survivors, exploring the lingering shadows of evil in a world where the dead don’t stay silent.
In the first installment, young Finney Shaw (played by Mason Thames) escaped the clutches of The Grabber, a sadistic kidnapper portrayed with bone-chilling intensity by Ethan Hawke. Drawing from Joe Hill‘s short story, the film used a disconnected black rotary phone as a conduit for ghostly guidance, helping Finney outwit his captor. Now, three years later, the story inverts the narrative, centering on Finney‘s sister Gwen (played by Madeleine McGraw), who begins receiving eerie calls in her dreams and visions that blur the line between reality and the afterlife.
Without spoiling the scares, the plot delves into themes of recovery and resilience, as the siblings confront a vengeful force that transcends death. Hawke‘s Grabber returns not as a mere mortal monster but as a spectral embodiment of sin itself, haunting the dream realm in ways reminiscent of iconic slashers like Freddy Krueger. This evolution allows for deeper psychological horror, amplifying the original’s tension with innovative twists that have critics buzzing.
The cast reunites key players, including Thames and McGraw, who have grown into their roles as teen survivors navigating post-trauma life. Jeremy Davies reprises his part as the siblings‘ troubled father, adding layers of familial dysfunction. New additions to the ensemble bring fresh blood—literally—to the mix, though details remain shrouded to preserve the film’s surprises. For celebrity news fans, it’s Hawke‘s star power that anchors the project, transforming a low-budget horror into a must-see event.
Ethan Hawke: From Reluctant Villain to Horror Icon
At 54, Ethan Hawke is no stranger to reinventing himself. From his breakout in Dead Poets Society to Oscar-nominated turns in Training Day and Boyhood, Hawke has built a career on versatility. But his foray into horror with The Black Phone marked a dark pivot, one he initially approached with caution. In a recent interview with USA Today, Hawke opened up about reprising The Grabber, likening the role to “playing a gargoyle” and pondering, “What does sin walk like? What does sin sound like?”
“I thought a lot about Robert Englund,” Hawke confessed, referencing the legendary Freddy Krueger actor. “The body language is so inspiring—how to communicate character through body language.” This admiration shines through in The Black Phone 2, where Hawke goes “full Freddy,” infusing The Grabber with a supernatural swagger that elevates the sequel‘s dread. Yet, Hawke admitted sequels weren’t his first love: “I don’t really like them. It was anything but a money grab. The first movie didn’t make any money!” (Though, for the record, the original grossed over $161 million worldwide on an $18 million budget—a tidy profit.)
Hawke‘s commitment extends beyond the screen. Last Halloween, he shared a family anecdote that underscores the character‘s cultural impact: “There were probably 15 people that came to our house trick-or-treating dressed as the Grabber. And there were probably six that came by dressed as Maya‘s character from Stranger Things. So it felt like a coup d’état for the family.” (Maya Hawke, his daughter, stars in the Netflix hit.) Dressed as his own villain, Hawke blended in anonymously: “I was just another guy dressed as the Grabber. They didn’t know I was the real Grabber.”
This personal touch highlights Hawke‘s evolution in horror. He credits director Derrickson for the sequel‘s depth, noting how it explores trauma recovery: “The whole first film is about young people growing up in an unsafe world… The second one had the really smart idea of saying, ‘Well, what happens after that? How do you recover from that experience?'” As Hawke teased, “When I finished the second one, I thought, ‘I’m not sure this is done.’ I feel like there might be more to do here.” Could a Black Phone 3 be ringing in our future? Hawke‘s enthusiasm suggests yes.
Blumhouse‘s Rocky Road and Triumphant Return
For Blumhouse Productions, led by powerhouse producer Jason Blum, The Black Phone 2 arrives at a pivotal moment. The studio, synonymous with low-budget horror hits like Get Out, The Purge, and Paranormal Activity, has faced a turbulent 2025. Earlier releases stumbled at the box office, with M3GAN 2.0—a sequel to the viral doll horror—fizzling out at just $39 million globally, a staggering 78% drop from its predecessor. Critics panned the shift from killer AI to antihero, calling it a misstep in tone.
Other Blumhouse ventures fared no better: Wolf Man, a reboot starring Christopher Abbott, howled to underwhelming numbers; The Woman in the Yard and Drop failed to ignite audiences, none surpassing $40 million domestically. This slump marked Blumhouse‘s weakest streak since pre-Insidious days, prompting whispers about the studio‘s formula losing its edge in a saturated genre market.
But Blum, ever the optimist, has championed theatrical horror. In a recent statement on The Black Phone 2, he emphasized its big-screen appeal: “I could make him come back. I can get anyone back.” Referencing past revivals like Ellen Burstyn in The Exorcist: Believer, Blum‘s words ring true here, as The Grabber‘s return defies death—and box office odds.
Opening in 3,411 theaters, The Black Phone 2 raked in $10.8 million on Friday alone, including $2.6 million from Thursday previews. This edges out the original’s $23.6 million debut, positioning it as the weekend‘s top earner over holdovers like Disney‘s Tron: Ares ($11 million projected in week two). With a modest $30 million budget, profitability is all but assured, potentially pushing global totals past $100 million if positive word-of-mouth spreads.
Analysts attribute the success to timely October timing—prime for Halloween chills—and Hawke‘s draw. Younger audiences, drawn by Thames and McGraw‘s rising stars (Thames recently wrapped How to Train Your Dragon), have fueled social media buzz. TikTok and Instagram Reels of Grabber cosplays are going viral, echoing the original’s cult following.
Implications for Hollywood Horror and Celebrity-Driven Scares
This rebound isn’t just a win for Blumhouse; it’s a boon for the horror genre in 2025. Amid competition from A24‘s arthouse terrors and Paramount‘s Smile sequels, Blumhouse‘s return to roots—supernatural thrills on a shoestring—reaffirms its dominance. Upcoming projects like Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (December 5, 2025) and Insidious: Red Tale (2026) now carry renewed hype.
For celebrities like Hawke, dipping into horror offers creative freedom. “As soon as you put on a mask, it almost feels like Greek theater,” he reflected. This genre-bending appeal attracts A-listers, from Jamie Lee Curtis in Halloween reboots to recent turns by stars like Nicolas Cage in Longlegs. Hawke‘s performance could earn awards buzz, blending prestige with popcorn frights.
As The Black Phone 2 continues its run, expect more celebrity spotlights: McGraw‘s breakout as Gwen positions her as horror‘s next scream queen, while Thames balances blockbuster franchises. Blumhouse‘s pipeline, including international ventures like No Me Sigas (October 30 in Mexico), promises global scares.
In the end, The Black Phone 2 reminds us why we love horror: the adrenaline rush, the cathartic screams, and stars like Ethan Hawke who make evil unforgettable. As Hawke pondered, “You have to take care of yourself. Playing somebody who’s disgusting all day long is going to have an impact on you.” For fans, the impact is pure thrill—pick it up if you dare.
