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The Black Phone

2021
1h 43m
R
6.9/10
254,060 votes
%
81%
Tomatometer
65
65Metascore
HorrorMysteryThriller

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Overview

Finney Shaw is a shy but clever 13-year-old boy who is abducted by a sadistic killer and trapped in a soundproof basement where screaming is of no use. When a disconnected phone on the wall begins to ring, Finney discovers that he can hear the voices of the killer's previous victims. And they are dead-set on making sure that what happened to them d...

Director / Creator

Scott Derrickson

Writers

Joe Hill, Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill

Top Cast

Mason Thames
Madeleine McGraw
Ethan Hawke
Box Office$90,123,230
Awards10 wins & 18 nominations total

About The Black Phone (2021)

Filmoverview · cast · reception · where to watch

Overview

The Black Phone (2021) is a Horror, Mystery, and Thriller film from United States and Canada. the film was directed by Scott Derrickson from a screenplay by Joe Hill and Scott Derrickson. It runs 1 hour and 43 minutes and was produced primarily in English.

What it's about

Finney Shaw is a shy but clever 13-year-old boy who is abducted by a sadistic killer and trapped in a soundproof basement where screaming is of no use. When a disconnected phone on the wall begins to ring, Finney discovers that he can hear the voices of the killer's previous victims. And they are dead-set on making sure that what happened to them doesn't happen to Finney.

Cast and crew

The film stars Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, and Ethan Hawke in supporting roles. Writing credits go to Joe Hill, Scott Derrickson, and C. Robert Cargill, whose work establishes the story structure and dialogue throughout.

Critical reception

On IMDb, The Black Phone holds a rating of 6.9/10 based on 254,060 user votes. Rotten Tomatoes lists a critical score of 81%. Metacritic aggregates a score of 65/100 from professional reviewers. Notable recognition: 10 wins & 18 nominations total. These numbers place The Black Phone within the broader landscape of Horror and Mystery cinema from 2021, giving viewers a benchmark before deciding to watch.

Where to watch

Streaming availability for The Black Phone varies by region and changes frequently as licensing deals shift between platforms. Check the streaming options shown above for the latest providers in your area.

Why The Black Phone is worth knowing

If you enjoy Horror or Mystery films, The Black Phone offers a representative example of the genre's conventions and storytelling style. As a 2021 release, it sits within a specific moment in film history, making it a useful reference point for understanding how horror evolved during that period. Performances from Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw are central to the work, and tracking their broader filmographies can lead to other titles you may want to add to your watchlist. Use VidScio to identify scenes, find related movies, and keep The Black Phone on your watchlist for later.

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