The Black Phone
The Black Phone
Finney Blake is a shy but clever 13-year-old boy who is abducted by a sadistic killer and trapped in a soundproof basement where screaming is of no 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.
Kevin Ward reviewedJuly 7, 2025
Took my 14 year old son to this screening. Today was his last day of middle school and I think this is the first rated R film I’ve ever taken him to see in the theater. A perfect film for such an occasion. This story has major Stephen King vibes, with adolescent protagonists, children going missing with a supernatural slant. It’s based on a book by Joe Hill who everyone knows is Stephen King’s son. (I actually just found that out). At any rate, it’s a really well executed story. Ethan Hawke is simultaneously creepy and menacing and he dons a Tom Savini mask that has alternate facial expressions. But the leads Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw both really sell their roles and their sibling relationship.
The Black Phone delivers pretty much exactly what you would expect, but in the best way possible. Just don’t watch the trailers, because then you will really know exactly what to expect.
Really fun theatrical experience too. The audience was cheering, screaming and clapping. Highly recommend. (Update: realized we actually took all our kids to see Ambulance which was rated R, so it wasn’t his first theatrical R rated film, but it probably should have been. I think he’ll remember this more than that one.)