The Black Phone (2021)

Score: 7 / 10
Category: Movie
Platform: Streaming

One-line verdict

A fresh and unsettling supernatural thriller that works on atmosphere and performances but holds itself back by refusing to explore its villain.

What worked

• I picked this because it’s directed by Scott Derrickson, whose films I’ve consistently liked (The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Doctor Strange), and that instinct paid off.
• Discovering Mason Thames here was a pleasant surprise, especially after seeing him later in How to Train Your Dragon.
• The premise is genuinely fresh. Abducted children guiding the protagonist through a disconnected black phone is a strong and eerie concept.
• The supernatural element is used sparingly and effectively, helping rather than overwhelming the story.
• The atmosphere is tense throughout, and the film knows how to sit in discomfort without rushing.

What broke

• Some logic gaps are hard to ignore. The police failing to identify the Grabber’s black van feels weak, especially given how conspicuous it is.
• The brother’s arc is poorly handled. Major events happen right under his nose, yet he remains oblivious — until suddenly he knows everything and is immediately killed with an axe. That turn is abrupt and unconvincing.
• The biggest issue is the lack of motive. The film never seriously explores why the Grabber targets these boys.
• Considering the runtime, too much focus is placed on Finn and Gwen while the antagonist remains underdeveloped.
• This is especially frustrating given it’s Ethan Hawke. The film wastes an opportunity to deepen an already unsettling performance.

What others are saying

• Strong praise for atmosphere, tension, and performances.
• Frequent criticism for thin villain backstory.
• Many viewers felt the movie was deliberately withholding answers to set up a sequel.

The section below discusses plot details.

Why this landed at a 7

What works here really works. The concept is original, the mood is effective, and the supernatural angle feels earned rather than gimmicky.

But the movie stops short of being great because it refuses to interrogate its villain. When a story revolves around a serial killer, motive matters — not to justify him, but to complete the narrative.

If the film had spent more time exploring the Grabber’s past or psychology, this could easily have been an 8. As it stands, it feels like a deliberately incomplete chapter, possibly saving that depth for a sequel.

Still, this is a solid 7: unsettling, well-directed, and memorable — just not fully realized.