Day 15: Black Phone
Back in 2022, horror fans were treated to The Black Phone, a chilling thriller from director Scott Derrickson and writer Christopher Robert Cargill, based on Joe Hill’s short story. The film centers on a masked kidnapper known as The Grabber (Ethan Hawke) and a young boy named Finney (Mason Thames), his latest victim. Locked away in a soundproof basement, Finney discovers an old black rotary phone that mysteriously lets him talk to the killer’s previous captives, and they just might help him escape.
Set in 1978 in North Denver, The Black Phone takes place in a small town haunted by a string of child abductions. Finney Blake and his younger sister, Gwen, live with their abusive father after the tragic suicide of their mother, who struggled with psychic visions. As always, my goal with these reviews isn’t to give a full play-by-play, but to share how the film made me feel. Once Finney is taken by The Grabber, the story really kicks into gear. The movie doesn’t depend on flashy effects or elaborate sets — most of it unfolds in a plain, soundproof basement. It’s a bold choice that shows how confident Derrickson and his team were in their story, their performances, and the tension they built.
What makes this confined setting so effective is how it traps both Finney and the audience in the same space — mentally and emotionally. There’s no escape, no big city chase, no distraction. Just silence, fear, and the ticking thought of “what would I do if I were him?” Outside of keeping the budget tight, the basement works as a pressure cooker for suspense. It forces you to slow down, think like Finney, and feel the weight of every decision he makes as he plans his next move.
