Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

The Black Phone

The Black Phone is a 2021 American supernatural horror film directed by Scott Derrickson and based on Joe Hill’s short story of the same name.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

The Black Phone is a 2021 American supernatural horror film directed by Scott Derrickson, based on Joe Hill's short story. It stars Mason Thames as a kidnapped boy and Ethan Hawke as his masked captor.

What it is

The Black Phone is a supernatural horror film released in 2021, directed by Scott Derrickson and based on Joe Hill's short story. It stars Mason Thames as 13-year-old Finney Blake and Ethan Hawke as The Grabber, a masked child killer. The film is set in suburban Denver in 1978.

Why it matters

The film blends kidnapping-thriller elements with supernatural communication from past victims, earning critical acclaim for its tension and performances. It was followed by a sequel, The Black Phone 2. Canadian audiences can access the film through typical theatrical and streaming releases.

Key details

Finney is abducted and held in a soundproof basement with a disconnected black phone. He receives calls from the spirits of The Grabber's earlier victims, who help him try to escape. The film is not based on a true story, but was inspired by real-life serial killers and 1970s fears.

In short

  • Based on Joe Hill's short story, not a true story.
  • Ethan Hawke plays The Grabber.
  • The film has a sequel, The Black Phone 2.
  • Main character Finney Blake is 13 years old.
Canadian angle

The film is widely available to Canadian audiences through theatrical release, home entertainment, and streaming windows typical of major Hollywood horror releases.

Quick questions

Is The Black Phone based on a true story?
No, it is based on Joe Hill's short story, though influenced by real-life serial killers and 1970s fears.
Who plays The Grabber?
Ethan Hawke.
Does The Black Phone have a sequel?
Yes, The Black Phone 2.

Sources

  1. Digital Spy — https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a40359216/the-black-phone-true-story-inspiration-joe-hill/
    Supports: The film is not a true story; sequel information; release context.
  2. CBR — https://www.cbr.com/the-black-phone-not-true-story-joe-hill-story/
    Supports: The film is based on Joe Hill’s short story; Finney’s age; plot premise; not based on an actual case.
  3. Time — https://time.com/6191651/the-black-phone-horror-trauma/
    Supports: Ethan Hawke as The Grabber; 13-year-old Finney; film premise.
  4. Wikipedia — https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/The_Black_Phone
    Supports: Film metadata, cast, and franchise context.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Phone_(film_series)
    Supports: Film series and sequel context.