The Grabber may be one of the creepiest characters in modern horror, but in Black Phone 2, he’s overreached himself, says Peter Hoskin

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Verdict: Dial M for middling

Putting aside his silly name, the Grabber is a truly terrifying villain in recent horror. He wears disturbing, grinning masks, and abducts children from the streets. And the truth about what happens next… is revealed by the many graves found under his house.

And now this character, played with grisly relish by Ethan Hawke, is back and crueller than ever.

But — hang on — didn’t the Grabber die at the end of the first Black Phone (2021)?

The movie definitely has a gritty, 1970s feel, but it also includes supernatural elements. The ghosts of the Grabber’s past victims actually use a phone to contact his newest captive, Finney Blake (Mason Thames), and assist him in his attempt to escape.

Four years after the events of the first film, “Black Phone 2” finds both Finn and his surprisingly sassy younger sister, Gwen, experiencing unsettling visions connected to the Grabber. These visions seem to be layered and complex, almost like dreams within dreams.

One of the issues with this sequel is that it needlessly complicates a previously straightforward story by adding a complex and detailed backstory.

Gwen has discovered she can connect with her deceased mother in dreams, specifically a younger version who witnessed the very first crimes committed by the Grabber while at summer camp.

Now that The Grabber is gone, he can still terrorize people by attacking them in their dreams, much like Freddy Krueger. As for Finn… well, his storyline is confusing and doesn’t really add up, so it’s hard to follow.

The movie builds up to a classic showdown between good and evil, set against the backdrop of the snowy Colorado Mountains. While the setup is competently executed, it doesn’t quite live up to the standard of the first film.

The Grabber, you feel, has reached for too much this time.

Black Phone 2 is in cinemas now. 

 

Verdict: Feline fine

If you have a seven-year-old daughter, or are one yourself, you’ve probably spent a lot of time watching the show Gabby’s Dollhouse.

If you’re like many 41-year-old men who enjoy football and going to the pub, you probably haven’t noticed this trend at all.

But now there’s a Gabby’s Dollhouse movie! You can’t miss the ads – they’re everywhere, all the way to, well, let’s just say a cat-themed version of San Francisco.

This children’s movie takes place in a San Francisco populated by cats, but it’s a surprisingly cheerful version of the city, conveniently leaving out the real-world issues of drugs and homelessness.

The show is all about fun and imagination! Gabby (played by the energetic Laila Lockhart Kraner) has the amazing ability to become tiny, the size of her toy cats, and then they go on colorful, animated adventures together. Think of it like ‘Toy Story,’ but with adorable, glittery kittens instead of toys!

Let me tell you, Kristen Wiig absolutely *kills* it as the villain in this story – she’s got this wonderfully over-the-top, Cruella de Vil vibe, but a little more grounded. She basically snatches this incredible dollhouse and, sadly, keeps all the adorable little kitty figures as decorations! The heart of the story follows Gabby as she bravely sets out to rescue those kitties, and in the process, learns a thing or two about growing up and finding her own strength. It’s a really sweet and empowering message, beautifully delivered.

Kids who love the show will absolutely adore this, and even adults will enjoy it. There’s humor that works for everyone, often delivered by Wiig. Her scene doing yoga with a grumpy-looking Devon Rex cat is a highlight – it’s fantastic, or as a seven-year-old might say, incredibly sparkly!

Gabby’s Dollhouse is in cinemas now. 

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2025-10-16 20:50