IR Film Review: THE BLACK PHONE [Blumhouse/Universal]

The setting and tone of “The Black Phone” seems to be a interesting quandary. The trailers painted it as a really really dark horror film and with the Blumhouse label, that also means approaching it under a specific budget constraint. Add to the fact that this is directed by Scott Derrickson who made the first
“Doctor Strange” with Ethan Hawke here as the antagonist. It is a tricky sell especially since it is the tale of a child serial killer. What is built though has an interesting tone, not unlike “It” at certain points. Set in 1978, “The Black Phone” has almost that Spielbergian aura but within an R setting. The kids swear but the motivations and groundedness work. Interestingly enough it is because of the balanced work of both Mason Thames as Finney and Madeline McGraw as Gwen that the film really works. As brother and sister they suffer at the hands of an abusive father. While Thames is the center of the abduction, Gwen works in parallel and provides almost the gallows humor and gravitas along with a sense of vision.

Hawke for his part has to be finite but precise in his approach which has a very thin line of allowance. It is a tricky spot for an actor who has not played evil that much. “The Black Phone” structure of it allows for a point of supernatural connection without really explaining it. The same can be said of Gwen's dreams. Unlike “Firestarter” which didn't really know how to move or explain its concept as well, the acting of the kids here works on a mix of “The Goonies” and “The Shining”, The point being is that it takes the right director to direct kids in this setting and get the right performances that seem authentic but not pandering to the camera. Derrickson is right on point in visual, tone and intent, elliciting the pinpoint reaction of the audience (at least the one I saw it with). The pay off, the suspense and the rebelliousness of being a kid and the connection of siblings is well captured and motivated. The setting also allows for certain visual flairs and a soundtrack that works without overworking itself. “The Black Phone” is a surprise in many ways that it is as good as it is, Despite gruesome setting, its underlying groundwork is about banding together and overcoming adversity. B+

By Tim Wassberg