The Black Phone (2021)

Last updated:
October 15, 2025

The Black Phone is a chilling supernatural horror film directed by Scott Derrickson, known for Sinister and Doctor Strange. Adapted from Joe Hill’s short story of the same name, the movie blends psychological horror, survival drama, and ghostly revenge into one haunting package.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Town of Fear

Set in 1978 in a Denver suburb, the movie opens with the town being terrorized by a child kidnapper known only as The Grabber (played by Ethan Hawke). He drives around in a creepy black van, luring kids in with magic tricks and balloons before making them vanish.

We meet Finney Shaw (Mason Thames), a shy and bullied 13-year-old, and his spirited younger sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), who seems to have psychic dreams. Their father (Jeremy Davies) is abusive and alcoholic, but Gwen’s loyalty to Finney never wavers.

The Grabber Strikes

After a classmate named Robin is abducted, Finney becomes the next victim. The Grabber kidnaps him and locks him in a soundproof basement with only a broken phone on the wall—the Black Phone. Though the line is disconnected, Finney soon discovers he can hear the voices of The Grabber’s past victims through it.

Voices from the Dead

Each ghost calls Finney to offer him a clue or survival tip. These haunting conversations form the heart of the movie—equal parts eerie and empowering. One ghost teaches Finney how to use the phone as a weapon, another shows him where to dig a tunnel, and another tells him how to find a hidden cord he can use as a trap.

Meanwhile, Gwen continues to have disturbing dreams showing clues about the Grabber’s house. She prays for visions to help locate her brother before it’s too late.

The Grabber’s Deadly Game

The Grabber’s psychological cruelty is one of the film’s most terrifying elements. He sits upstairs, waiting for Finney to break “the rules” so he has an excuse to kill him. When his brother, Max (James Ransone), unknowingly discovers the hidden basement, it seems Finney might finally be saved—until The Grabber brutally kills Max in a shocking twist.

The Black Phone’s Revenge

In the final act, Finney takes control of his fate. He sets the traps his ghostly allies guided him to prepare: digging a pit, placing a cord as a snare, and filling the phone receiver with dirt to make it a deadly weapon. When The Grabber comes down to kill him, Finney fights back with ferocity and cunning.

In a brutal and satisfying showdown, Finney manages to strangle The Grabber using the phone’s cord—while the spirits of the murdered boys taunt their killer over the phone one last time. It’s poetic justice at its finest.

Finney escapes the house, and Gwen—who has followed her visions—finds him. The police arrive and uncover the bodies of the other victims in the neighboring house. Finney, once timid and afraid, walks back to school as a new person: strong, confident, and no longer haunted by fear.

Movie Ending

The ending of The Black Phone ties together every thread of supernatural justice and emotional growth. The Grabber dies at the hands of the very victims he once terrorized—symbolically and literally through the Black Phone. Finney becomes the embodiment of courage and survival. Gwen’s visions are confirmed to be real, and the siblings reunite in a deeply emotional moment that contrasts sharply with the film’s darkness.

Back at school, Finney sits down beside his crush and introduces himself as “Finn.” It’s a small but powerful sign of transformation—he’s no longer the frightened boy who went missing, but a survivor who faced evil and won.

There are no unresolved cliffhangers, but the story closes with a lingering unease: the supernatural world still whispers, and the Black Phone still exists.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, The Black Phone does not have any post-credits or mid-credits scenes. Once the credits roll, the story is completely resolved. However, fans of Joe Hill’s universe often speculate that other supernatural stories could exist in the same world.

Type of Movie

The Black Phone is a supernatural psychological horror film with elements of thriller and coming-of-age drama. It focuses as much on fear and trauma as it does on empowerment and resilience.

Cast

Ethan Hawke – The Grabber
Mason Thames – Finney Shaw
Madeleine McGraw – Gwen Shaw
Jeremy Davies – Terrence Shaw
James Ransone – Max
Miguel Cazarez Mora – Robin Arellano

Film Music and Composer

The film’s score was composed by Mark Korven, who also created the chilling music for The Witch and The Lighthouse. His score uses unsettling drones, distorted tones, and retro 1970s synth textures to create tension that never fully releases until the end.

Filming Locations

The Black Phone was filmed primarily in North Carolina, particularly around Wilmington and New Hanover County. The small-town setting, quiet neighborhoods, and period-correct details capture the eerie, nostalgic 1970s suburban vibe—where terror hides behind everyday life.

Awards and Nominations

The film was well-received for its performances and tension-building.

Saturn Award nomination for Best Horror Film
Fright Meter Awards for Best Actor (Ethan Hawke) and Best Director (Scott Derrickson)
Critics’ Choice Super Awards nomination for Best Horror Movie

Behind the Scenes Insights

Ethan Hawke initially didn’t want to play a villain but accepted because of Derrickson’s direction and the complexity of the role.
The creepy mask was designed by Tom Savini, the legendary horror makeup artist behind Friday the 13th.
Mason Thames performed many of his own stunts, including the physical fight with The Grabber.
The Black Phone prop actually worked and rang during certain scenes to unsettle the young actors.

Inspirations and References

Based on Joe Hill’s short story from his collection 20th Century Ghosts.
The movie’s 1970s atmosphere and true-crime tone are inspired by real-life serial killers like John Wayne Gacy.
Director Scott Derrickson drew on his own childhood memories of growing up in a violent Denver neighborhood.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

According to Derrickson, the movie’s ending was mostly unchanged from early drafts. However, some deleted scenes explored the Grabber’s psychology and hinted at his abusive past. These were cut to maintain mystery and tension.

Book Adaptations and Differences

In Joe Hill’s original short story, events are more condensed, and Finney’s ordeal is shorter. The film expands on Gwen’s psychic visions and the Grabber’s twisted personality, making them central to the story rather than background details. The tone of the movie is also more cinematic and emotionally layered compared to the more minimalist short story.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Finney’s first phone call with a ghost—where he realizes he’s not alone.
Gwen’s prayer scene, followed by a thunderstorm that confirms her visions are real.
Finney’s final showdown with The Grabber, using every trick taught by the spirits.

Iconic Quotes

The Grabber: “Don’t hang up.”
Gwen: “Jesus, what the f***?”
Finney: “You’re gonna have to kill me—because I’m not playing anymore.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The Grabber’s masks come in multiple variations—each representing a different emotion (anger, sorrow, playfulness).
The number on the police car is “237,” referencing The Shining’s infamous Room 237.
The Black Phone itself is a metaphor for memory and trauma—connecting the living and the dead.

Trivia

Scott Derrickson left Doctor Strange 2 to make The Black Phone, returning to his horror roots.
Ethan Hawke and Derrickson previously worked together on Sinister.
Madeleine McGraw filmed all her scenes in less than two weeks but became a standout of the film.
The mask design was so frightening that even Hawke avoided looking at himself in it between takes.

Why Watch?

Because it’s not just a horror movie—it’s a story about courage, trauma, and survival. It’s terrifying but deeply human. The tension, atmosphere, and performances (especially from Ethan Hawke and Mason Thames) make The Black Phone one of the most intelligent horror films of the 2020s.

Director’s Other Movies

Sinister (2012)
Deliver Us from Evil (2014)
The Gorge (2025)
Doctor Strange (2016)
The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

The Black Phone (2021)