“The Black Phone” Review
Mason Thames struggles for survival as Finney in “The Black Phone” where Finney is kidnapped by a masked killer.
With much of the summer being populated by big-budget franchises and blockbusters, it’s nice when a smaller film gets significant attention from audiences. After coming off of the 2016 film “Doctor Strange,” seeing director Scott Derrickson return to horror with “The Black Phone” was as marvelous as it was scary.
Set in 1978, a little kid named Finney (Mason Thames) is kidnapped by a serial murderer called “The Grabber” (Ethan Hawke) and locked in a soundproof basement with only a mattress, some rugs, a toilet and a disconnected black landline phone. When the phone mysteriously rings, Finney picks it up and begins to hear the voices of the killer’s previous victims who instruct him on how to get out. Meanwhile, Finney’s little sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) begins to have visions of The Grabber’s activities and tries to find her brother while Finney tries to escape.
Both Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw make this film for me. Yes, Ethan Hawke is wonderful but that was never in doubt. These kids have a lot to prove by not only starring in a horror film but also by being the main characters. Fortunately, they bring their all to these roles and follow in the footsteps as the child actors of “IT,” “Stranger Things” and “A Quiet Place.”
Thames delivers a strength as Finney and he always tries to find a way out while also keeping his wits. There’s also a vulnerability to him but he’s nevertheless a strong child who is good at survival. Let’s just say that, if they were remaking “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” I’d want this kid to play John Connor. As for McGraw, her visions compel her to track down the missing children which becomes more personal when her brother is taken. Since Gwen’s goal is beneficial to Finney, the sequences which focus on her don’t slow down the film’s pacing.
Ethan Hawke’s performance as The Grabber was nothing short of magnificent with a terrifying presence and a mask that is sure to become iconic.
While I knew Ethan Hawke could be threatening since he played the villainous Arthur Harrow in “Moon Knight,” I was not fully prepared for how terrifying he could be as The Grabber. His entire persona can shift from calm and friendly to being a raving monster. His mask also is fantastic by allowing him to express emotions in different and disturbing ways. I tip my hat to the costume department for the design of this mask, which can split in two and have different parts, and I believe it will become as iconic as the masks in “Friday the 13th,” “Scream,” “Halloween” and “Happy Death Day.”
Scott Derrickson and his regular co-writer C. Robert Cargill craft an excellent screenplay which keeps you guessing and happens to be based off of a short story by Stephen King’s son Joe Hill, a successful writer in his own right. With all of these talented horror writers coming together, this is one of the most creative horror films I’ve seen since “X.” While certain actions and lines might seem futile in the moment, as the film nears its end, everything comes together and makes for a satisfying experience.
Like “X,” the film is set in the 1970s which Scott Derrickson takes full advantage of. Everything about “The Black Phone” feels like a gritty 1970s film with more than enough realism to keep you on the edge of your seat. But the 70s atmosphere isn’t just for nostalgia. If you remember, 1978 was the year that the police arrested John Wayne Gacy and found all of the bodies in his home. This information is not lost on the filmmakers as they manage to fully recreate all of the terror surrounding that case.
“The Black Phone” is definitely worthy of your money, especially if you’re feeling bogged down by all of the tent-pole studio films and are looking for something different.
