Could Black Phone 2’s The Grabber be the modern Freddy Krueger we’ve been waiting for? It’s a bold claim, but one that’s sparking heated debates among horror fans. With classic franchises like Halloween and Friday the 13th fading into the background, and Freddy Krueger himself absent from screens since the 2010 A Nightmare on Elm Street remake, there’s a gaping void in the horror genre. Black Phone 2 steps into this void, positioning The Grabber as a potential heir to Freddy’s throne—but does it succeed? Spoiler alert: it’s complicated.
In the sequel, The Grabber returns from beyond the grave to seek vengeance on Finn (Mason Thames) and terrorize his younger sister, Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), by invading her dreams. Sound familiar? Gwen starts receiving eerie calls from the infamous black phone and experiences visions of three boys at Alpine Lake winter camp. Convinced there’s a mystery to solve, she drags Finn to the camp during a winter storm, only to find The Grabber waiting—not in the flesh, but in a way that’s equally chilling. And this is the part most people miss: Director Scott Derrickson and writer C. Robert Cargill openly admit that A Nightmare on Elm Street and Freddy Krueger were major influences. The Grabber’s ability to attack through dreams after his death in the first film is a direct nod to Krueger’s iconic modus operandi. But here’s the twist: while Black Phone 2 wears its influences on its sleeve, it’s far from a carbon copy.
SlashFilm’s Rafael Motamayor notes in his review that the film has ‘clear similarities and nods to [the *Elm Street] franchise, particularly the phenomenal A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors’. But can The Grabber truly become the Freddy Krueger of our time? *That’s where it gets controversial.**
One undeniable parallel between The Grabber and Freddy is their reliance on a brilliant actor to bring them to life. Ethan Hawke, an Oscar-nominated performer, delivers a chilling portrayal of The Grabber, much like Robert Englund did with Freddy. While characters like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees hide behind masks, both The Grabber and Freddy are defined by the personalities behind their terrifying facades. This human element is what set Freddy apart in the ’80s slasher boom, and it’s what makes The Grabber stand out today. But here’s the question: Can Hawke’s Grabber achieve the same generational impact as Englund’s Krueger?
Black Phone 2 isn’t trying to be the new Elm Street. It’s a horror grab bag, blending elements of summer camp slashers, Derrickson’s own Sinister (with its Super 8 dream sequences), and Freddy’s dream-killing immortality. While it scratches a certain itch, it doesn’t fully replace the need for a new Elm Street installment. Yet, the comparisons between The Grabber’s evolution and Freddy’s legacy are hard to ignore.
Derrickson and Cargill succeed in deepening The Grabber’s character, giving him a path to immortality beyond death. But let’s be real: The Grabber isn’t Freddy Krueger. His kill count is lower, his methods are different, and the film doesn’t set up endless sequels. It’s unlikely Hawke will play the role for two decades like Englund did. So, while Black Phone 2 pays a wonderful homage to Freddy, it doesn’t position itself as a direct successor to Elm Street. But here’s the bigger question: Does it need to?
With Robert Englund unlikely to return as Freddy and the franchise dormant, something—or someone—needs to fill that void. What’s refreshing is that Derrickson and Cargill have created a new horror icon in The Grabber. Whether he appears in future films or not, he’s already cemented his place in the genre. Imitation, after all, is the sincerest form of flattery. But what do you think? Can The Grabber ever truly replace Freddy Krueger, or is he destined to remain a worthy homage? Let’s debate in the comments.
Black Phone 2 is in theaters now, and the conversation is just getting started.
