THE BLACK PHONE MOVIE REVIEW

In a dark, grimy, soundproof basement…no one can you scream. That’s at least the case for our young hero in the new film, The Black Phone. Scott Derrickson is back with a new horror film co-written by C. Robert Cargill and adapted from Joe Hill’s short story of the same name. The story takes place in 1978 as a vicious child murderer is on the loose played by Ethan Hawke as he stalks the town for his newest victim. The film centers on siblings, Finney, played by Mason Thames, and Gwen, played by Madeleine McGraw, as they navigate the ever treacherous reality that is childhood. Unfortunately for Finney, life is about to become even more terrifying as he becomes The Grabber’s latest victim. With the aid of a mysterious black phone that connects with the dead, Finney has to find courage to survive Hawke’s sadistic game while Gwen uses her own mysterious ability to find her kidnapped brother. Did this movie grab our critics? Sarah Jane, Marcos, Frank, and Wright answer the call and discuss The Black Phone.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE/TRAILER

DIRECTED BY: Scott Derrickson

STARRING: Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Ethan Hawke, Jeremy Davies, E. Roger Mitchell, Troy Rudeseal, James Ransone, Miguel Cazarez Mora, Rebecca Clarke, J. Gaven Wilde, Spencer Fitzgerald, Jordan Isaiah White, Brady Ryan, Tristan Pravong, Jacob Moran, Brady Hepner, Banks Repeta, Parrish Stikeleather, Kristina Arjona, Sheila O’Read, Rocco Poveromo, Kellan Rhude, Nina Repeta, Reagan Shumate, Bay Allebach, Dashiell Derrickson, Braxton Alexander, Lukas Colagross, Mark Riccardi, Andrew Farmer, T. Maxwell Martin, Garrison Starkweather, Megan Petersen, Robert Fortunato, Christy Connell

 

YOUR REVIEWERS

 

Wright Sulek (Screener Squad, Digital Noise, Highly Suspect Reviews, Trash in the Can, Audio Editor)

Wright hails from the northern suburbs of Dallas, Texas. His passion for filmmaking brought him to Austin to study and make movies. Since then he’s had his hand in acting, writing, and directing his own short films with numerous like-minded film geeks he’s met along his journey. His newest interest has brought him into the podcasting world. He co-hosted a few different movie related podcasts such as ‘And Now This’ and ‘The Match Cut’. He currently co-hosts with longtime friend, Eric Samaniego, where they talk shop about the grimiest, trashiest, lost gems of movies on their show, ‘Trash in the Can’. Wright also guests and hosts reviews on Screener Squad and Highly Suspect Reviews as well as co-hosts Digital Noise with Chris Cox.

 

 

Sarah Jane (Highly Suspect Reviews, Screener Squad)

Sarah Jane was born and raised in Southern California but currently calls Austin, TX her home. She’s seen over 5,700 movies so far with zero plans on stopping. She has a penchant for all things exploitation, and she loves Godzilla with all her heart. Her favorite films are Deep Red, Le Samourai, and Miller’s Crossing. When she isn’t watching movies, she’s busy herding her four cats, her husband, and her 11-year-old kiddo. She’s been a contributor to TalkFilmSociety, Daily Grindhouse, FThisMovie!, Looper, and the Austin Chronicle. You can find her on Twitter and Letterboxd at @fookthis.

 

 

Marcos Lira (Highly Suspect Reviews, Screener Squad)

Me? I come from the South, Out there, beyond the horizon by the big river. Out there where the bandits formed cities, and the gambling is legal. I got into movies like most nerds by watching Tarantino but fell in love with movies through Chinese Cinema for some reason. A few of my favorite things would probably be live music, new experiences, and belt-fed ammunition.