3 out of 5 stars
The phone as a horror movie trope has declined over the years due to evolution from landline to cordless to cellular. In 1979’s When a Stranger Calls, the babysitter (Carol Kane) gets repeated calls from a man asking her sinister questions like, “Have you checked the children?” Kane is tethered to a landline that restricts her movement to the living room sofa. The audience is also chained to the harassing phone. Being left with a feeling of dread that the creep is calling from upstairs. Years later, in the movie Scream, the so-called “Ghostface” serial killer taunts Drew Barrymore on a cordless phone. Now the doomed babysitter is free to move around the house, which means the killer is free to move about as well. Today, the cellphone presents a unique challenge to the cinematic serial killers of years past. Imagine Ghostface’s call going directly to voicemail or Wendy Torrance (The Shining) fighting off Jack and the Overlook Hotel with help from an iPhone and an excellent Wi-Fi connection.
In The Black Phone, director Scott Derrickson (Doctor Strange, Sinister) creates a fresh spin on a familiar storytelling device. The story is set in 1978 in an idyllic suburb of Denver, Colorado, where several young boys have gone missing. A child serial killer known as “The Grabber” (Ethan Hawke) kidnaps a bullied, 13-year-old outcast named Finney (Mason Thames) and locks him in a decrepit basement. On the wall is an old, disconnected phone, and it is not long before the phone begins to ring. On the other end of the paranormal line are the voices of the killer’s previous victims. Each is determined to help Finney escape by outsmarting the man who abducted, tortured, and killed them. What unfolds is an above-average ‘escape’ thriller with a supernatural twist.
Based on a short story by Joe Hill, this screenplay is reminiscent of the legendary Stephen King. It just so happens that “Joe Hill” is a pseudonym for Joseph Hillstrom King, the oldest son of Stephen and Tabitha King. If the script were a phone number, it would share an area code with some of Stephen King’s early work. The most successfully adapted King screenplays were able to capture themes related to the human condition. Films like The Shining and Misery explored the existence of evil while plumbing the minds of broken people who act in deplorable ways. Additionally, Stand By Me and It captured the essence of childhood and the bond of friendship after innocence is lost. Kids in these stories come from damaged homes occupied by abusive parents. These through lines are present in Derrickson's film but are sometimes underdeveloped and contrived. An example is the telekinetic sister (Madeleine McGraw). She distracts from exploring Finney’s home life and revealing the killer's motivations. All the numbers connect the audience to something special, but the director manages to misdial.
On its own, this suspense thriller is still entertaining and contains strong performances. Ethan Hawke was reluctant at first to play such a disturbing character. On a side note, and not to nitpick, Stephen King invented one of the most memorable serial killer names of all time in Pennywise the Clown. Couldn't King’s son come up with a name more unique than The Grabber? Regardless, audiences are used to Hawke’s quiet and raw vulnerability. He often conveys introversion that is notable in Dead Poets Society and Training Day. Hawke chews up the screen with a performance that relies heavily on his eyes and voice inflection. The result is both compelling and against type. It is obvious that Hawke is completely dialled in and even more disappointing that the writers were not.
REEL DIALOGUE: Does the Bible have anything to say about kidnapping?
You shall love your neighbour as yourself. - Matthew 22:39
Kidnapping is considered one of the most egregious sins against society. It has been an unfortunate part of the human experience throughout history. The realities of The Black Phone show this criminal act's impact on a community.
In the Old Testament of the Bible, it was a crime that would have been punishable by death, ranked in association with murder. In the words of Jesus, this topic is addressed broadly by his second commandment, love your neighbour as yourself. A portion of scripture should cause all to evaluate their motives and consider how their decisions affect others.
Passages that address kidnapping: Exodus 21:16, Deuteronomy 24:7, 1 Timothy 1:9-10
