: While it features "jump scares," the movie functions more as a suspenseful thriller about resilience . It explores how Finney finds his own strength by literally using the voices of those who came before him. Critical Reception
Set in 1978 Denver, the film follows Finney Shaw, a shy 13-year-old kidnapped by a serial child abductor known as "The Grabber." Locked in a soundproof basement, Finney discovers a disconnected black telephone that begins to ring. Through it, he communicates with the ghosts of the Grabber’s previous victims, who offer him guidance and combat tactics to escape. Siyah Telefon (The Black Phone)
: Aggregates professional reviews highlighting the film's effective scares and strong performances. : While it features "jump scares," the movie
: Features user reviews that often discuss the film's 70s aesthetic and its loyalty to Joe Hill's original story. Through it, he communicates with the ghosts of
: Mason Thames (Finney) and Madeleine McGraw (his sister, Gwen) provide the emotional core. Gwen’s "psychic" dreams add a secondary layer of supernatural tension as she desperately tries to locate her brother.
: As The Grabber, Hawke delivers a terrifying performance despite being masked for most of the film. His presence is unpredictable, oscillating between a sinister calm and sudden outbursts of violence.