Why Ethan Hawke's Grabber Targets Older Victims in Black Phone 2
Universal Pictures
Scott Derrickson's 2022 horror film, "The Black Phone," was a box office success, which was refreshing news for the horror genre and modern moviegoing. The movie, an adaptation of Joe Hill's 2004 short story, told a self-contained tale, but Hollywood's ticket-selling nature ensured a sequel. "Black Phone 2" is not just a rehash of the first film; it's a high-stakes continuation. One significant change is the age of the victims, with Ethan Hawke's The Grabber targeting older teenagers in the sequel.
In the original film, Mason Thames' Finney Blake was 13 when abducted. The sequel, set four years later, was a deliberate choice by Derrickson and co-writer C. Robert Cargill. The director shared his interest in making a high school movie for the sequel, as it presented more "interesting emotional stakes." He explained that the tone needed to be different from the middle school coming-of-age supernatural movie, requiring more violence, aggression, and shock to escalate the story beyond the first film. The audience, now older teenagers who grew up loving the first movie, demanded a more mature and intense narrative.
Derrickson's decision was influenced by the Terrifier films, known for their high- gore content. The director wanted to appeal to a more hardened, desensitized audience, ensuring the sequel was rated R for gore. He even delayed production to ensure the actors were old enough, as he wanted to tell a more mature story. Finney Blake, now a 17-year-old high-schooler, struggles with trauma and anger, making the sequel a more mature narrative.
Derrickson's personal interest in exploring the characters' growth between middle school and high school was a driving force. He reconnected with the actors, intrigued by their transformation and the dramatic changes they underwent. The director intensified the violence and horror to tell a more grown-up story, aiming for a deeper emotional exploration. Critics have largely welcomed the sequel, suggesting Derrickson's vision was successful.
"Black Phone 2" is now in theaters, offering a thrilling and mature continuation of the original story.
