The Black Phone

The Black Phone is a psychological horror thriller film directed by Scott Derrickson, based on Justin Jones' short story of the same name. The movie takes place in the late 1970s, an era defined by a unique blend of innocence and terror. Set in Denver, Colorado, the story revolves around Finney Blake, a timid and resourceful 13-year-old boy, played by Mason Thames. Finney's life is turned upside down when he is abducted by the Grabber, a ruthless and cunning serial killer, portrayed by Ethan Hawke. The Grabber has been terrorizing the community for years, targeting children and children's bicycles, his modus operandi rooted in a twisted desire to strip his victims of their innocence. After being taken to a soundproof basement, Finney finds himself trapped with no escape. The environment is devoid of any clues, with the only sounds being the creaking of old pipes and the distant hum of an old furnace. Desperately seeking hope, Finney attempts to make contact with the outside world by screaming for help. However, the soundproof basement renders his cries futile, and the isolation begins to take its toll. One of Finney's only companions in the basement is a disconnected, antique black phone, which hangs on the wall like a gaunt ornament. Initially, the phone remains silent, but after a particularly gruesome episode, it starts to ring. Finney, both intrigued and terrified, hesitantly answers the phone to find himself connected to the voices of the Grabber's previous victims. These ghostly voices guide Finney, sharing their own terrifying stories of the Grabber's brutality. A little girl named Lucy, who might have been Finney's age, steps forward to take the lead. Her ghostly presence becomes the heartbeat of Finney's survival. Lucy's stories reveal a calculated killer who slowly toys with his victims before finally ending their suffering. These chilling accounts compel Finney to remain calmed, make rational decisions, and ultimately plot his escape. Throughout the story, Finney learns that the Grabber has no interest in keeping his victims alive. Each case ends with similar tragic circumstances, resulting in Finney's constant and gnawing fear of becoming the next corpse. In addition, a peculiar camaraderie develops between Finney and the other spirits trapped in the phone. Each victim offers Finney clues about their eventual demise, allowing them to form a collective psyche. Lucy instructs Finney about the Grabber's rules, including a predictable, almost predictable pattern that he follows each time he abducts a new victim. There's a disquieting undertone of knowing one's destiny within Finney's anxious thoughts. Finney sees his eventual time coming as inevitable, until the collective efforts of the spirits ignite his resolute spirit. Together, they begin plotting a strategy to escape their current living nightmare and prevent Finney's end from meeting the brutal fate of the others. The climactic event unfolds when Finney identifies a minor flaw in the Grabber's strategy – specifically, a faint yet distinguishable flaw in his basement setup that Finney can capitalize on. Utilizing the knowledge gathered from the spirit voices and the insight he gains from observing the Grabber, Finney is able to devise and implement a plan to evade death. Upon discovery of the solution, Finney's resourcefulness spikes and unorthodox courage allows him to engineer an unlikely escape. Using nothing but the resources available to him, Finney attempts a daring final confrontation with his captor. With his newfound determination, Finney faces the Grabber in a tense, grueling showdown, one that showcases a turning point in his character. Displaying unwavering courage, Finney exacts a twisted form of justice on the brutal killer, marking the beginning of a grim end to the years-long brutality exhibited by the Grabber. With the realization of survival on account of these unseen ghosts, Finney shares his gratitude by seeking retribution in the traumatic climax, evading further torment at the same time.