The Black Phone
Finney Blake, a shy but clever 13-year-old boy, is abducted by a sadistic killer and trapped in a soundproof basement where screaming is of little use. When a disconnected phone on the wall begins to ring, Finney discovers that he can hear the voices of the killer’s previous victims. And they are dead set on making sure that what happened to them doesn’t happen to Finney.
Why it matters
A tense blend of supernatural dread and abduction thriller that channels classic haunted-child vibes through a modern lens.
- Ethan Hawke’s chilling, understated villainy turns The Grabber into a lurking menace you feel more than just see.
- Practical scares and a moody, claustrophobic basement setting recall the golden era of ’90s supernatural horror like _Stir of Echoes_.
- Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw anchor the story with genuine performances that elevate the familiar kid-in-peril trope.
- Not perfect—the pacing drags early, and the film plays it safe narratively—but it’s a solid pulse-pounding ride for fans craving atmosphere over cheap jump scares.
Director
Cast
Horror DNA
Gore
43
Slow Burn
33
Psychological
43
Supernatural
60
Creature
0
Disturbing
100
Fun Factor
50
Cerebral
43
Survival
83
Serial KillerSlasherSupernatural
