The Black Phone (2022)

[Eric Duncan]

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[Webslinger]

Building off an intriguing premise, The Black Phone succeeds as a clever, atmospheric, and at times genuinely unnerving horror film. Working from a short story by Joe Hill (whose father’s style clearly appears to have had a major and welcome influence over the material), co-writer and director Scott Derrickson crafts an engrossing film that somehow succeeds in selling both its grounded period setting and its decidedly supernatural elements equally well. Derrickson makes highly effective use of the limited setting, and the film’s biggest moments – while perhaps unfolding a little too conveniently – crackle with enough tension to make their ultimate payoff feel earned. The script also benefits from surprisingly strong character work that sells the relationships between the various children in the narrative, which serves to make the horrors they experience feel more visceral than they would in a less character-driven horror piece. The child performers are convincing in their roles, with Mason Thames leading the way in a confident, compelling performance that sells protagonist Finney’s fear and growth in a believable manner. Ethan Hawke is also very effective as the murderous kidnapper, bringing a strong sense of menace to the part to make The Grabber feel like a truly threatening presence rather than just a standard order over-the-top psycho. With its clever approach and execution of its concept, The Black Phone delivers as a piece of enjoyable escapism with some solid scares and tension.

 

B+

[SLAM!]

The Black Phone, for what it is, is PERFECT. Chilling, complex, heartfelt, and bearing important, relevant messages. This film is timeless and will be looked back upon as a horror classic. A

[filmlover]

This was really good! Scott Derrickson does an impeccable job of building up the suspense without feeling the need to telegraph everything for the audience: I feel like a much less confident movie would've had The Grabber engage in a third act monologue about why he was kidnapping/murdering boys instead of keeping the character and his sinister intentions mysterious throughout. Ethan Hawke, hidden behind a creepy mask for most of the movie, makes for an absolutely chilling presence without needing to go overdrive into scenery chewing mode, while kid actors Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw are completely natural talents. This is the kind of old-fashioned, crowd-pleasing thriller that we sadly don't see too much of at the multiplex anymore. B+

[titanic2187]

What i like about this movie is , there is definite ending attached it. I don’t suppose we will have a sequel since the villain is very much dead right? Unless Hollywood magic strikes again. 

[avensis]

I loved Black Phone! I'm not a fan of horror movies but this one is really good.
I find that everything is perfect as much in the script, which skilfully links the story of all the children, as in the breathtaking acting and the scenes where we seriously freak out.

Edited October 11, 2023 by avensis