The Black Phone (2022) spoiler free review
Never talk to strangers is a common phrase told to kids. Sadly, many times they don’t listen leading to awful consequences. From the mind that brought Sinister (2012), one of the scariest horror movies ever according to science, comes what can be considered one of the best horror films of 2022. Directed by Scott Derrickson, produced by James Blum and starring Ethan Hawke the trio delivers once again a good supernatural horror movie.
Finney Shaw is a shy but clever 13-year-old boy who’s being held in a soundproof basement by a sadistic, masked killer. When a disconnected phone on the wall starts to ring, he soon discovers that he can hear the voices of the murderer’s previous victims and they are dead set on making sure that what happened to them doesn’t happen to Finney.
Official plot
The cast also includes Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Miguel Cazarez Mora, Tristan Pravong, Jacob Moran, Brady Hepner, and James Ransone. The Black Phone had its world premiere at Fantastic Fest on September 25, 2021 with a theatrical release on June 24, 2022. It will be available to stream on Universal’s Peacock website 45 days after its theatrical debut.
My opinion
From the trailers alone we knew that this film would be a good one, and it didn’t disappoint. Kids being abducted sounds like any’s parent nightmare and setting the film on the 70s makes it even worse. This details gave the film a realistic feeling since we know that is something that was common during that time period and is still happening. Ethan Hawke as The Grabber is brilliant, we never see his face but his voice change and body language are enough to send chills down your spine.
Hawke did an outstanding job but his co-stars take the spotlight. Mason Thames as Finney is one of the best kids performance that I’ve seen in a while. He’s able to project his fear, frustration, and determination on a convincing way. On the other hand Madeleine McGraw, who’s portraits Finney’s sister, adds the heart to the brother-sister relationship. She’s a key part on the investigation of not only her brother but the other victims as well.
The rest of the kids cast, although they don’t have much time on the screen, are able to give a convincing performance as well. All kids stole the show becoming one of the best parts of the film. This is indeed one of the best horror movies of 2022 and it will be present at the Universal Studios Horror Nights this fall. Don’t miss the chance to see this masterpiece now available on theaters.