New(er) Flix: The Black Phone (2022)

 A Film that is Strange in many good ways.

That and there's a Sequel currently out in Theaters.

Do you dare pick up...

It is 1978 in North Denver and the Town is being wracked with fear.

Kids are going missing and nobody knows why.

The Film follows a Brother and Sister who are a strong unit- which will be very helpful later.

It is the '70s, so *that* outfit.

Finney has to deal with 2 of his friends being taken by the stranger- colloquially known as The Grabber.

Unfortunately, he's next on the list!

The strange, masked man keeps him locked up down in the Basement.

He doesn't kill him...yet, but is definitely a danger.

Finney's saving grace turns out to be the titular Phone, which gives him messages and warns him of what to do vs. what not to do.

Who is calling though?

Can Finney escape from the Basement alive?
Can his Sister make the most of her ability to get prophetic dreams to help him?

Will you get this visual out of your head anytime soon?

To find out, stream or rent the Film now.

A Film that builds genuine tension, fright and horror...without showing all that much.

Credit where credit is due- you can do lots without showing eyeballs gouged out, people cut open and the like.

The trick- strong writing, Direction and atmosphere.

Technically, the Film has a pretty big body count (by normal Film standards, at least), but you really only see two of them.
I obviously won't SPOIL who they are.

Hawke is very good here, playing a sometimes subtle, often outright scary menace.  He walks that tight line while, helped by the many masks (designed by Tom Savini!).

Mason Thames as Finney is a really good Actor here as well, portraying multiple, complex emotions throughout and really making the most of his Arc.

From what I can tell from the Trailers, he gets another chance to do even more in the Sequel.  Thankfully, they don't seem to be doing the 'Kill Off the last Lead' Trope from older Slasher Films.

If you only know Scott Derrickson from Doctor Strange, his Horror/Thriller Films are worth a good look.

Plus, it only took a couple of minor tweaks to turn Hawke into Svengoolie...

If you- like me- heard good things about this, but haven't seen it yet- do.  It is a strong Film with a good gimmick and great atmosphere.