Scott Derrickson is quite a voice in the world of horror. He created the eerily moody Sinister, and he even added a bit of the horror genre into the MCU with Doctor Strange. Yet his latest may be his best. The Black Phone is a terrifying, yet shockingly feel good horror flick that brilliantly balances scares with heart. The film stars Ethan Hawke in a beyond disturbing performance as a man known as “The Grabber.” It also features two excellent young talents, Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw, who both give the movie its soul. Based on the work of Joe Hill, this mix of real life terror and a hint of supernatural is a stunning work. And yes, it’s thus far one of the best films of the year.
I love speaking to Scott Derrickson. The man is kind, and he is so incredibly knowledgeable about the world of horror. One of the creepiest elements of the film is the reality of the situation explored. Mr. Derrickson talked about the element of truth in the film, as well as working with the incredible Ethan Hawke again. Both the filmmaker and the actor make for a perfect pairing once again. The Black Phone works because it doesn’t rely on jump scares or shock. It is a character driven piece that is one of the smartest and most engaging examples of genre I’ve seen in years. This one is well worth seeing on the big screen with an audience ready to find themselves scared in the dark of the cinema. Check out The Black Phone only in theatres this Friday.