The Black Phone, The Best Ghost Horror After The Sixth Sense
The author is not a fan of horror films, he even actively
avoids watching horror films, especially films involving ghosts or supernatural
beings. But The Black Phone is able to make the writer watch until the end. Not
only that, the 1 hour 42 minute film also presents many thrilling scenes that
successfully provoked the audience's screams and even applause in several
scenes. You could say, this film made by Scott Derrickson (Doctor Strange in
the Multiverse of Madness) is the best ghost horror film after The Sixth Sense
(1999)!
Together with his writing partner C. Robert Cargill
(Sinister, No Man of God), Derrickson adapted this gripping story from the
short novel of the same name by Joe Hill, published in 1994. The selection of
Ethan Hawke and Mason Thames as the lead duo proved to be a the right decision.
Despite the lack of dialogue, the interaction between the two managed to make
the audience always excited every time they competed on one screen. Like what?
Who Is This?
Finney Shaw (Mason Thames, For All Mankind) is a shy
teenager who is often the victim of bullying at school. Not only that, the
older brother of Gwen Shaw (Madeleine McGraw, The Mitchells vs. The Machines)
also lives in the shadow of his alcoholic and battering father. Both Finney and
Gwen try to live life at home and at school as well as possible even though
conditions are not optimal.
But the environmental conditions they live in are
deteriorating, children are missing and rumors of repeated kidnappings haunt
the small town. Unfortunately, Finney ends up being one of the victims of the
kidnapping of the serial killer known as The Grabber (Ethan Hawke, Moon
Knight). Locked in a dungeon with no way out, Finney must rack his brains to
escape the grip of The Grabber.
In the room there was only a mattress, a toilet and a
black telephone that had been disconnected. While Gwen, her sister is trying to
find her whereabouts, Finney hears a very loud phone ringing over and over
again. On the other end of the phone came familiar voices. Who contacted
Finney? Did he manage to get out of the grip of The Grabber?
Menacing Mask
Ethan Hawke's appearance as The Grabber really stole the
attention, especially when he wore a devil mask that seemed to be partially removable
so that it was possible to use top only or bottom only. This makes The
Grabber's character even more terrifying, because we almost never see The
Grabber's innocent face. Part of his face is always covered by a mask, face
paint or glasses.
What is unique, the young newcomer actor Mason Thames is
also no less interesting to watch. Through his eyes, the audience can feel the
desperation and determination he made. The 14-year-old actor is able to compete
in acting and balance the figure of The Grabber, which is presented by Ethan
Hawke very well. Do not be surprised if in the next few years, we will see his
figure more often on the big screen.
There are almost no shortcomings that can be mentioned
for this film, The Black Phone is arguably the best Scott Derrickson film and
could be the most exciting ghost horror film after The Sixth Sense. The author
himself puts The Black Phone as one of the best films this year. The Black
Phone is scheduled to premiere on June 22 in Indonesia. It's better if you
don't watch the trailer first and just watch it on the big screen for a more
solid viewing experience!