
Stephen King’s Black Phone 2 Verdict Would Excite Horror Fans
Stephen King recently spoke about Black Phone 2 following its debut at a major film festival. The acclaimed author shared his reaction on social media, with his remarks arriving shortly before the movie’s planned theatrical release in October 2025.
What Stephen King said about Black Phone 2
Stephen King has publicly shared his reaction to Black Phone 2. On September 22, 2025, he wrote on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, “It’s not as good as the first one. IT’S BETTER.” The post included the film’s promotional art featuring a snow-covered demonic mask, Ethan Hawke’s name, the title in black and red letters, and the tagline “Dead is just a word.” The release date has been listed as October 17, 2025, with Scott Derrickson credited as director.
Black Phone 2 debuted at Fantastic Fest ahead of its wide release. The festival generated early buzz after Stephen King endorsed the film, drawing attention because of his reputation in the horror genre. His remark carried added weight since his son, Joe Hill, wrote the original story for The Black Phone.
The sequel brings back Ethan Hawke as The Grabber, Mason Thames as Finn, and Madeleine McGraw as Gwen. Jeremy Davies and Miguel Mora also return, while Demián Bichir, Arianna Rivas, Maev Beaty, and Graham Abbey join the cast. The film continues the story four years after Finn killed his abductor and managed to escape, focusing on Gwen’s disturbing visions and Finn’s attempt to cope with his past. Scott Derrickson directs Black Phone 2 and co-writes it with C. Robert Cargill, based on characters created by Joe Hill.
Jason Blum, Derrickson, and Cargill produce the film, with Hill, Adam Hendricks, and Ryan Turek serving as executive producers. Universal Pictures scheduled the theatrical release for October 17, 2025. The plot follows Gwen as she starts receiving calls in her dreams from the black phone, pushing her and Finn to travel to Alpine Lake during a winter storm. Together, they face a more powerful version of The Grabber, whose presence connects directly to their family’s history.
Source: Comingsoon.net