The Black Phone

Synopsis: Finney Shaw is a shy but clever 13-year-old boy who's being held in a soundproof basement by a sadistic, masked killer. When a disconnected phone on the wall starts to ring, he soon discovers that he can hear the voices of the murderer's previous victims -- and they are dead set on making sure that what happened to them doesn't happen to Finney.

Movie Review:

“The Black Phone” is directed by Scott Derrickson, and it is based on the short story of the same name. This is a well-written horror movie that is one the best films I have seen this year. Mason Thames plays Finney an awkward shy 13-year-old who is bullied and doesn’t know how to stand up for himself. Thames gives an incredible performance as this relatable character. Ethan Hawk plays a sadistic masked killer known as the Grabber who likes kidnapping young boys and killing them. He is a terrifying villain who makes your skin crawl every time he speaks especially when he is wearing his mask. I was a big fan of Fin’s sister Gwen played by Madeleine McGraw who has supernature dreams that can help her find her brother. She portrays a funny, strong, and confident character who is definitely the standout in this movie. Jeremy Davis plays Terrence Finney’s abusive father. The complicated relationship between father/son is explored throughout the movie especially the cruel beatings with a belt. The movie does take place in the late 70’s and they captured the era perfectly with the clothes, music, and lifestyles. The jump scares are perfectly timed and are intensely scary. The only issue I had with the film is that some of the bullying scenes are too violent to watch. But I absolutely loved everything else about this movie -- the villain, the characters, the mythology, and the lessons to take away. I am giving “The Black Phone” a 4.5/5 stars.

Director: Scott Derrickson

Cast: Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Brady Hepner, James Ransone, Jeremy Davis, E. Roger Mitchell, Troy Rudeseal, and Ethan Hawke

Runtime: 103 Minutes