I gave up watching this one quite quickly because the visuals were just too difficult to make out. It seemed like it was supposed to take place during daylight hours—I noticed children heading off to school—but the lighting was so dim that it felt more like twilight. I honestly wasn’t sure if the sun was even visible, or if what I was seeing was simply a bright insect. Adjusting my television's settings to the most v…

The Black Phone manages to effectively combine the feeling of being held against one’s will with supernatural occurrences. The film initially establishes the central figures in a way that allows viewers to connect with them and become invested in their well-being. While some aspects of the storyline felt somewhat suspect, these issues were relatively small and didn't significantly detract from my engagement. The acti…

The Black Phone has a promising horror concept with supernatural elements, yet it doesn't quite reach its potential because the story is straightforward, easily anticipated, and feels repetitive. Director Scott Derrickson brings a recognizable visual style to the film, and I appreciate that the emphasis is on the central character’s growth instead of relying on cheap thrills. Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw a…

Drawing inspiration from films like _Stir of Echoes_ and _The Sixth Sense_, _The Black Phone_ offers a remarkable performance by Madeleine McGraw, and Ethan Hawke delivers a chillingly unforgettable portrayal as The Grabber; the effect is akin to an unseen presence lurking just out of sight, poised for a startling appearance. It's a well-made horror movie that generates considerable suspense and impact, though it fee…

Turning a short story into a movie often means adding extra scenes to reach a reasonable length, and this film falls into that trap, especially in its initial thirty minutes. This section focuses too much on introducing characters whose presence doesn't significantly contribute to the central plot. However, once the narrative gains momentum, it evolves into a skillfully made horror film revolving around "Finn" (Mason…