When he’s abducted and locked in a soundproof basement, a school boy begins receiving calls on a disconnected phone from the killer’s former victims.
Writer / director Scott Derrickson made his name with horror films such as The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Sinister, before bringing Doctor Strange to the big screen for Marvel in 2016. After leaving the 2ndDoctor Strange film during pre production the filmmaker re-teamed with scriptwriter Robert Scargill and returned to the horror genre for this passion project.
Drawing from his own Colorado upbringing, Derrickson adapts a short story from author Joe Hill (Son of the legendary Stephen King) to deliver this haunting supernatural thriller.
Set in 1978 Denver, the film follows Mason Thame’s Finney, a 13 year old schoolboy, who together with his younger sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) lives in fear of his violent father (Jeremy Davis) and a group of local bullies. But when Finney is kidnapped by serial killer ‘The Grabber’, the foreboding he feels is taken to a whole new level.
Finding himself captive in a dingy basement, Finney is handed a crucial lifeline when the killers victims begin calling from beyond the grave, intent on saving him from the same fate that befell them.
With legitimate menace coursing through it, the films 70’s setting gives it a nostalgic Amblin-esque quality, which lends an air of hope to proceedings.
Child actors Thame and McGraw are both exceptional in their roles as siblings Finney and Gwen. The pairs strong bond and endearing relationship is the heart and soul of the film. As with Derrickson’s previous work, the supernatural elements are deftly handled, with Gwen exhibiting psychic abilities which she uses to aid the desperate police in the search for her brother. While it features a couple of really effective jump scares, the film doesn’t rely too heavily on them, instead preferring to build an ominous feeling of dread throughout.
Following the creative differences he experienced with Marvel, Derrickson sought out his regular collaborators. Teaming once again with producer Jason Blum and casting Ethan Hawke, who was the lead in his breakthrough hit Sinister, as the Grabber. Hawke’s portrayal of the serial killer is superb. Wearing a variety of ultra creepy masks and unable to show his face, the actors vocal delivery is key, whilst his physical performance creates a thoroughly intimidating presence.
The cleverly crafted masks, which are designed to suit the characters changing moods, are as eerie as they come, and essential in creating the films chilling atmosphere.
With The Black Phone, Derrickson has created a scary world in which danger lurks around every corner. But despite the bleak subject matter, the filmmaker dangles a thread of genuine hope for the audience to cling onto.
A tension filled throwback horror anchored by an menacing villain and an irresistible sibling bond from its young leads
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Paul Steward
@grittster
18/07/22