Review: Ethan Hawke as a serial killer serves a delicious yet chilling experience in 'The Black Phone'

The Black Phone

It is fascinating to realise that having amassed a career of over three decades, Ethan Hawke has never played a flat-out villain ever before. And hence, you can imagine Hawke giving a nod to The Black Phone probably upon hearing a one-liner of the plot and his character. He gets to flex big here playing a psychotic serial killer on the loose who is abducting and killing children like it is 'child's play.'

The one line you read, pretty much culminates the plot of the film except we never really get to know WHY but we definitely get to know HOW and WHAT NEXT. Having had the opportunity to watch The Black Phone starring Ethan Hawke, Mason Thames, and Madeleine McGraw in lead roles, here's what I thought of it-

Doesn't Hold Back

The one thing that The Black Phone does well - that it doesn't hold back. Director Scott Derrickson seems to have made a conscious effort to stay away from subtlety and rather enunciate every sequence in a manner that gets you uncomfortable on your seat. And I am not even talking about the horror elements per se. What is actually 'horrific' is the array of scenes that might seem otherwise basic. Little Gwen (McGraw) being tortured and berated by her father constantly as she cries for help and also for forgiveness, the scenes of Finney (Thames) being bullied and punched multiple times are disturbing enough to have you look away from the screen for a spur. This is intentional and thus it makes this horror flick a psychological horror overall.

The Timeline & Execution

The film is set in North Denver, 1978, which I feel is the perfect timeline to choose for a serial-killer-on-the-loose plot. The attention to detail, the naivete, the lack of technology and insanely hilarious hairstyles and quirks combine together for delicious material to set a murder mystery with horror. The sheer helplessness you feel looking at your protagonist trying to break away from the chilling bunker with corroded walls marked by a horizontal crack makes up for edge-of-the-seat viewing. That is where The Black Phone's meat lies. Even though the first few minutes of the film act as a catalyst for Finney's way of being kidnapped and then using it to his advantage trying to fight 'The Grabber', the film starts getting interesting and eerie when Finney gets phone calls on the black phone (which the grabber claims to be not working) from the earlier victims.

The execution of the setting deserves further praise. Not for a single moment do you question the timeline the plot is set in, and in fact, you are transported to the 70s almost instantly.

The Horror

Oh boy! Jump scares might be the oldest tricks in the book of horror but if done right, they can be immensely satisfying. The film has around 3 to 4 good jump scares and especially one - literally had me and all my fellow moviegoers jerk up on the seat with the shock value attached to it. But The Black Phone doesn't scare as much with quintessential horror as it does with psychological horror. The smaller moments are so enthralling that they scare you a lot more than the intended ones. Be it the moment of The Grabber (Hawke) coming slowly from the back and carving an axe on his own brother's head as Finney watches it or be it The Grabber sitting topless on a chair with the same axe as he waits for Finney trying to escape - The Black Phone showcases some fantastic moments of a thrilling viewing experience.

The Disappointment

I mean, it is Ethan Hawke. The veteran actor is one of the finest the business has to offer and it isn't HE who disappoints with the wafer thin character he is given. As The Grabber, Hawke does a brilliant job indeed but it is the overall character that is actually a bit of a letdown. We understand he is a serial killer but never get to know why he does, what he does. I don't mean to say that there has to be a motive all the time but his initial affinity towards Finney, not killing him even after he escapes once doesn't quite add up to his serial killer-esque motives. Even the climax and the big tussle between Finney and The Grabber is actually underwhelming and convenient.

Hawke does his best to make the most out of the delicious on-paper character but it is only that much he can do. The overall execution, fine direction, and finer performances saves The Black Phone to a large extent.

The Performances

As mentioned above, it is the performances that save the film to a large extent. Every actor in the frame is at their finest game. Mason Thames is a 14-year old boy and the actor, who is probably in every frame of the film is brilliant in every emotion he exhibits - right from fear to bravery and everything else. Jeremy Davies as the troubled and alcoholic father is fantastic as well where you detest him for hitting his children but sympathise with his condition and love for them later. But the beating heart of the film is Madeleine McGraw as Gwen. As the adorable sister to Finney, she is lovable, caring and given her superpower to see dreams that become real, she is the best actor in the film (apart from Hawke, of course).

The Verdict

The Black Phone excels in getting your hearts pouding and sending chills down your spin at sputtering moments but the overall impact of the film seems a tad underwhelming as the credits roll.

Rating - ***1/2 (3.5/5)