The Black Phone

The 2021 American supernatural horror film directed by Scott Derrickson is based on the short story of the same name by Joe Hill. Set in 1978 in a Denver suburb, the story follows 13-year-old Finney Blake (Mason Thames), a shy but clever teenager who is abducted by a serial child abductor known as "The Grabber" (Ethan Hawke) and held in a soundproof basement. In the basement, there is a disconnected black phone through which Finney begins to receive calls from the Grabber's previous victims, whose spirits attempt to help him escape. Meanwhile, his younger sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), who possesses psychic abilities, experiences dreams that may reveal Finney's location. The film delves into themes of childhood trauma, violence, and the supernatural, blending elements of psychological thriller and classic horror.