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Look, I’ll be honest — I didn’t expect to love this movie as much as I did, but here we are. Netflix just dropped ‘The Black Phone’ and it is officially Ethan Hawke’s scariest era. Real talk: I haven’t slept since I first saw that mask. If you thought ‘Sinister’ was a lot, prepare to be emotionally destroyed. It’s got an 83% on Rotten Tomatoes for a reason, guys. Here is why your Friday night plans are officially cancelled.
1. Ethan Hawke as ‘The Grabber’ is peak nightmare fuel
Honestly, seeing Ethan Hawke play a villain this unhinged is a total mood. We’re used to him being the charming guy or the tired detective, but here? He is absolutely terrifying as a child abductor in 1970s Denver. He reportedly spent so much time perfecting that creepy, high-pitched voice that it’ll literally stay in your head for days. No cap, it’s his best performance in years.
2. That mask is doing way too much work
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Can we talk about the mask? It was designed by the legendary Tom Savini’s team, and it’s actually several different masks that change based on The Grabber’s mood. It’s giving major ‘I’m never sleeping again’ vibes. Every time the bottom half of the mask changes to a different expression, my heart rate literally triples. It’s iconic but also… please stay away from me.
3. Mason Thames is a literal icon in the making
You might recognize Mason Thames from ‘For All Mankind,’ but he carries this entire movie as Finney. Watching a kid try to outsmart a literal serial killer using a disconnected rotary phone? We have to stan the bravery. His performance is so grounded that you actually feel the claustrophobia of that basement. Arrey, he’s going to be a huge star, just watch.
4. The Joe Hill connection is everything
If the vibes feel familiar, it’s because this is based on a short story by Joe Hill. Fun fact: Joe is actually Stephen King’s son, and the apple does NOT fall far from the tree. It has that classic King-style ‘small town with a dark secret’ energy that we are all lowkey obsessed with. It’s gritty, it’s supernatural, and it’s deeply unsettling.
5. The jump scares are actually earned
I hate cheap jump scares. You know the ones—where a cat just jumps out of a cupboard? This isn’t that. Director Scott Derrickson (who did ‘Sinister’ and ‘Doctor Strange’) knows exactly how to build tension until you’re literally screaming at your TV. When the scares happen, they make sense for the plot. It’s psychological horror done right, which is so rare these days.
6. The 1978 setting is a total mood
The movie is set in the late 70s and the aesthetic is immaculate. Think ‘Stranger Things’ but way darker and without the fun synth music. The beige walls, the retro vans, the flared jeans—it all adds to that feeling of isolation. Back then, you couldn’t just GPS your way out of a basement, and that lack of technology makes everything ten times scarier.
7. Madeleine McGraw is the real MVP
Madeleine plays Finney’s sister, Gwen, and she is easily the best part of the movie. She has these psychic dreams and spends half the film swearing at police officers and praying to God in the funniest way possible. She brings so much heart (and much-needed humor) to a movie that is otherwise super dark. Honestly, we are living for her energy.
8. The supernatural phone calls are lowkey genius
The premise sounds wild: a kid talks to the ghosts of previous victims through a broken phone. But it works! Each ghost gives Finney a piece of advice on how to escape, and it turns the movie into a high-stakes puzzle. It’s like an escape room but with much higher stakes and way more ghosts. It’s honestly such a fresh take on the genre.
9. It’s way better than your average slasher
Don’t go into this expecting a ‘Friday the 13th’ clone. This is much more of a thriller-drama with horror elements. It deals with some heavy themes like family trauma and bullying, which makes you actually care if the characters survive. When a horror movie makes you cry AND scream? That’s when you know it’s a winner. 10/10 would recommend.
10. The box office numbers don’t lie
When this hit theaters in 2022, it raked in over $161 million on an $18 million budget. That is INSANE for an original horror movie. People kept going back to see it because the word-of-mouth was so strong. Now that it’s finally on Netflix, expect it to hit the Top 10 globally within like, five minutes. Don’t be the only one in the group chat who hasn’t seen it.
11. You will never look at black balloons the same way
Without giving too much away, just know that if you see a black balloon floating around your neighborhood after watching this, you should probably run in the opposite direction. The Grabber uses them as a calling card, and it is genuinely chilling. It’s the kind of visual that just sticks with you long after the credits roll. Truly spooky stuff.
12. The ending is actually satisfying
There is nothing worse than a horror movie with a trash ending. Luckily, ‘The Black Phone’ delivers. It builds to a climax that is so intense I was literally gripping my sofa. No spoilers here, but the payoff for all the clues hidden throughout the movie is chef’s kiss. It’s the perfect movie for a late-night watch party—just make sure you have someone to hold onto!
FAQs
Is The Black Phone based on a true story?
No, it’s not a true story. It’s based on a short story by Joe Hill from his book ’20th Century Ghosts’. However, the director has said he drew inspiration from his own childhood experiences in the 70s.
How scary is The Black Phone on a scale of 1 to 10?
It’s a solid 8. It relies more on tension, atmosphere, and a few very effective jump scares rather than constant gore. Ethan Hawke’s performance is the scariest part by far!
Is there a sequel to The Black Phone coming out?
Yes! According to reports, ‘The Black Phone 2’ is officially in development with Ethan Hawke and the original cast returning. Watching the first one on Netflix now is the perfect way to prep.
So, are you brave enough to answer the call? ‘The Black Phone’ is streaming on Netflix right now and it’s the perfect excuse to ignore your emails and get spooked. Honestly, if you don’t watch it for Ethan Hawke’s mask alone, what are you even doing? Tell your bestie, grab the popcorn, and let me know in the comments if you managed to finish it without hiding under the covers!
