In 2005, Stephen King’s son Joe Hill published 20th Century Ghosts, a collection of 13 short stories. One of these stories, The Black Phone, caught the attention of director Scott Derrickson and writer C. Robert Cargill. They hoped to adapt the story to film, but they shelved the project to work on Sinister and Doctor Strange. Due to disagreements with Marvel, Derrickson decided not to direct the sequel, so he continued working on The Black Phone. They saw numerous child actors for the leads before settling on relative newcomers Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw. After securing a $16-$18 million budget from Blumhouse, which produced Derrickson’s Sinister, filming started in early 2021 in Wilmington. Filming wrapped in March, and the movie premiered at Fantastic Fest later that year. Following two delays from Universal, The Black Phone finally hit theaters in June 2022.
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Synopsis
In 1978 Colorado, young Finney (Mason Thames) lives with his sister, Gwen (Madeline McGraw), and alcoholic father, Terrence (Jeremy Davies). At school, Finney gets constantly harassed by the local bullies, but another classmate, Robin (Miguel Cazarez Mora), defends him. Gwen believes her dreams are prophetic, which catches the attention of Detectives Wright (E. Roger Mitchell) and Miller (Troy Rudeseal). Reports are circulating that someone known as “The Grabber” is abducting children, and they think her dreams can help. Unfortunately, Finney is kidnapped and held hostage by The Grabber (Ethan Hawke), who has sinister plans for him. When The Grabber leaves, a broken phone on the wall rings, and Finney answers, hearing the spirits of past victims. They help him find ways of escaping the basement while making sure The Grabber doesn’t catch on. Will Finney find a way out of the basement, or will The Grabber claim another victim?
Review
The Black Phone is a solid supernatural thriller that effectively tackles a serious issue without feeling exploitative. This movie feels like a reasonably accurate depiction of what happens when a child is abducted. It helps that the film takes place in the late 1970s, which was right around the era of “stranger danger.” Unlike similar movies that play up their retro setting, this one feels authentic to life back then. From the clothes and cars to the soundtrack, it feels like Scott Derrickson pulled straight from his childhood. Adding to this feeling is the cinematography by Brett Jutkiewicz, who effectively captures the decade’s look and feel. There’s also the haunting score from The Lighthouse composer Mark Korven, which combines synth sounds with harsh strings. The cherry on top is the dream sequences shot on Super 8, giving them a home movie vibe.
Shockingly, this was Mason Thames’s first film, which you wouldn’t expect given how stellar his performance is. He feels authentic as a kid facing a tough family life and constant bullying, trying to be a good brother. He has excellent chemistry with Madeline McGraw, as you really believe they are actual siblings. However, the real scene stealer is Ethan Hawke as The Grabber, one of the creepiest horror villains in recent memory. Since he wears a mask for most of the movie, his performance mainly depends on his body language and voice. What makes him even more frightening is that we don’t learn much about The Grabber’s backstory, which adds a layer of mystery. It’s also worth noting the masks designed by the legendary Tom Savini, each one unique and haunting. While the rest of the cast is strong, the film mainly focuses on Thames and Hawke, who are outstanding.
I’ve seen some people complain about the pacing and the plodding characterization, which I somewhat understand. At roughly an hour and 43 minutes, some parts feel slow and drawn out. Also, some characters feel like generic caricatures, including the alcoholic father, the stereotypical bullies, and the stock love interest. However, I’d argue that the deliberate pacing and stock characters help the world feel fully realized and lived in. You feel like you’ve traveled back to the 1970s to see what life was like back then. Some have criticized the use of supernatural forces to help our heroes, which is understandable, but it’s a unique twist. Despite its issues, this is still a solid horror thriller with a great cast and effective atmosphere. Overall, The Black Phone succeeds thanks to its mix of realism and supernatural, a great villain, and a solid story.
Buy The Black Phone from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4nl2hng.
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Where to watch The Black Phone
