Movie Review The Black Phone (2021)

 

The Black Phone | 2021 | 1h 43m
Genre: Psychological Horror/Supernatural Horror/Horror/Mystery/Thriller | Country: US
Director: Scott Derrickson | Writers: Joe Hill, Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill
Cast: Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Ethan Hawke
IMDB: 6.9
My Rating: 9/10

Finney, confused and trapped in the basement, starts getting calls from the spirits of the victims who are trying to help him.

Warning:

Contains scenes of violence, strong language, drugs, alcohol, and smoking.

 

Synopsis of The Black Phone:

Kidnappings are on the rise in North Denver, Colorado. The kidnapper, known as The Grabber, abducts boys and leaves black balloons as his calling card. One of the kidnapping victims is Bruce, Finney's (Mason Thames) opponent in a previous baseball game. And Robin, Finney's close friend who always protects him from bullying. This becomes quite a sensation in the neighborhood.

Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), Finney's younger sister, has the ability to see clues from her dreams. As a result, the police try to visit Gwen and ask for information from her. Especially after the police find out that Gwen feels like she saw a black balloon in her dream, which is a key clue that was never published. However, this makes her father furious.

Gwen and Finney live with their abusive and alcoholic father. Their father became this way after the death of their mother, who committed suicide. Their mother had a similar ability to Gwen, and her dreams made her 'crazy'. So, their father tries to convince Gwen that her ability is not real, so that Gwen doesn't end up like her mother.

One day, The Grabber catches Finney and traps him in the basement of a house. Finney, feeling desperate, suddenly gets a call from a black phone in the basement. The phone is actually disconnected because the cable is cut. But somehow, it connects him to the spirits of the other kidnapping victims. The spirits try to tell and warn Finney.

Gwen, knowing that her brother has been kidnapped, tries to get information through her dreams. She asks her father to let her try to help her brother. Gwen gets some information about Finney's whereabouts. However, the search turns out to be not as easy as she thinks.

Will Gwen succeed in finding Finney alive?

 

Review of The Black Phone:

The Black Phone is inspired by the short story of the same name by Joe Hill. Derrickson initially struggled to develop the story into a long version in the form of a film. However, he finally managed to present it as a film with a very interesting story.

Camera movement, cinematography, color composition, music selection, and sound effects are done very well. Taking the theme of the 1970s, the makeup and clothing choices used represent the atmosphere well. The acting from the cast is also quite good and doesn't look stiff.

The story is built and narrated quite well. From the beginning of the story's construction, the development of conflict, and resolution are presented well. The tension that arises also leaves a lasting impression. The twists that appear also make this film more interesting. However, there are a few things that could be optimized again.

The purpose of the kidnapping and what the kidnapper does to the hostages is not explained clearly enough. Viewers also don't know for sure how the hostages were killed and the cause of their death. The Grabber's background is also not explained, it should have been shown, perhaps the trauma that made him become The Grabber. And the origin of the phone in the basement.

Another interesting story is the ability possessed by Gwen and Finney. Although it is briefly explained how this ability affects their mother. It would be better if this story was shown more virtually, so that viewers could also understand the actions taken by their father. Where their father seems to be so hurt because of it.

Overall, this film is quite impressive and worth watching repeatedly.

 

Memorable Scene:

Finney, who has lost the friend who always protected him, gets bullied again. Gwen, seeing this, without thinking twice, immediately attacks the bullies with a rock. Although Gwen manages to injure one of the bullies, she gets hurt too. In this scene, we see how the desire to protect those we love will make someone's courage arise on its own.

 

Memorable Dialogue:

"This is the last call. It's all you from here on out."

 

Ending:

Happy Ending

 

Recommendation:

Must Watch

 

(Aluna)