Black Phone 2: The Grabber's Secret Return Explained

Discover how Black Phone 2 sets the stage for The Grabber's chilling return! The author of the original short story hints at a hidden clue in the first film that unlocks the door to the upcoming horror sequel.

Joe Hill, the author behind "The Black Phone," has revealed that the groundwork for The Grabber's return in Black Phone 2 was subtly laid in the original movie. This revelation adds another layer of anticipation to the sequel, directed by Scott Derrickson, which sees Ethan Hawke reprising his role as the menacing serial abductor, despite his apparent demise.

Hill suggested that a seemingly insignificant moment from the first film holds the key to the sequel's plot, describing it as a "trap door" that might have gone unnoticed by most viewers. After sharing his concept with Derrickson and co-writer C. Robert Cargill, they were immediately captivated by the idea.

He further explained, "I don't think I could say too much about that, but I have seen the theories. I would just point out The Grabber is dead, but being dead hasn't stopped people from reaching out to Finney before. So, maybe he isn't as gone as we thought he was. I'm excited to see what people make of the picture."

The Mask and The Trap Door: Hints of Black Phone 2

Hill also noted that two elements struck him as potential sequel material even before he saw the first film. The first was The Grabber's mask, which he believed would become iconic, much like Freddy Krueger's glove or Michael Myers' mask. The second was a specific, brief moment in the film that he recognized as a direct pathway to a sequel.

“Originally, Scott and Cargill weren't sure there was a sequel there, but there were two things the first time I saw the film. Even before I saw the film, when I saw the mask, I thought, 'Oh, there's gonna be a bunch of these pictures, because that's iconic in the way of Freddy Krueger's glove and Michael Myers' mask, and the hockey mask, and stuff. I think we're going to have a bunch of The Grabber.'"

He continued, "And then, when I saw the film, there's a thing in the first picture, just a brief thing, and when I saw that, I thought, 'Oh, that's a trap door into the second film. They stuck something.' And I was like, 'I don't even know if they know that they just stuck this thing in the movie that's the obvious door to fling open to go into the second picture.' So, I pitched this idea to them, and they both thought it was really cool."

Hill praised Derrickson and Cargill's contributions to the script, highlighting Derrickson's autobiographical touches and Cargill's skill in crafting suspenseful sequences. He expressed his excitement for the film's release, noting that he has two projects coming out this year.

What could this "trap door" be? How will The Grabber return? These questions fuel the anticipation surrounding Black Phone 2.

Theories Surrounding The Grabber's Return in Black Phone 2

In the original "Black Phone," Finney uses the advice of The Grabber's deceased victims to defeat him. The last scene shows The Grabber being strangled by a phone cord, and police recover bodies from his home. The sequel is generating many theories on how he will return.

Some theories suggest The Grabber will manifest as a ghost and continue to target Finney. Hill's seem to validate such ideas. The trailer also hints at similarities between The Grabber and Freddy Krueger, adding a supernatural dimension to the sequel.

Early footage indicates that Gwen is experiencing dreams that may physically affect her. This suggests that The Grabber could be responsible for more disappearances and communicate with Finney through the phone.

He Might Be Even More Dangerous

Based on Hill's , it will be fascinating to discover the specific moment from the first movie that leads into Black Phone 2. The fact that The Grabber is dead could make him an even more formidable foe, presenting a significant challenge for Finney and Gwen, especially if the film embraces a supernatural angle.

The anticipation builds as we await the release of Black Phone 2, eager to see how this "trap door" unlocks a new chapter of horror and suspense.

Black Phone 2 promises to be a thrilling sequel, expanding upon the original's terrifying premise and exploring new dimensions of fear with The Grabber's return.