Madeleine McGraw isn’t just returning as Gwen in The Black Phone 2—she’s stepping into the spotlight as the story dives deeper into a chilling showdown with one of modern horror’s most disturbing villains, The Grabber.r. In our exclusive conversation, McGraw broke down how Gwen’s spirituality and strength are rooted in a complex upbringing that mirrors the character’s balance of belief and independence.
“Growing up, she had a mom who was Christian and a dad who definitely didn’t like it,” McGraw explained. “I feel like that paved a path for Gwen to really explore what she believes in. The true meaning of all that in the movie is that it gives her a sense of hope. It was so important to show that honesty when she talks to God in the first film—that’s the line people quote to me the most. It’s really nice to see that on screen, because we don’t get to see it very often.”
That emotional authenticity carries over into The Black Phone 2, where Gwen faces new battles in both the real and spiritual worlds. But don’t expect a recycled Nightmare on Elm Street, a point McGraw made sure to emphasize.
“I wanted Gwen to be a different kind of dream warrior,” she said. “I watched A Nightmare on Elm Street after we finished filming. I want my characters to be my own and not take from anyone else’s performances. Gwen is such a unique character—she’s feisty but also super vulnerable. Sure, there are similarities with the paranormal dream scenes, but beyond that, The Black Phone 2 is totally different. It’s layered, emotional, and truly a roller coaster.”
Watch the full interview below to see Madeleine dive deeper into Gwen’s fearless journey and the making of The Black Phone 2.
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