Is The Black Phone Based on a True Story? Ending Explained
by Sakthi
Updated Mar 22, 2023
Is The Black Phone Based on a True Story?
The Black Phone is a horror-thriller film directed by Scott Derrickson and starring Ethan Hawke as a troubled locksmith who becomes embroiled in the search for a serial killer who abducts and murders children. Many ask whether the movie is based on a real story, and the answer is yes: The Black Phone is based on a short story of the same name by Joe Hill, which was published in 2015. The movie adaptation, directed by Scott Derrickson, was released in 2022. While the events and characters in the story and movie are fictional, they were inspired by Hill's own experiences and the urban legends surrounding kidnappings and disappearances.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Hill explained that the idea for The Black Phone came from his own childhood fears about being abducted. He also drew inspiration from real-life cases of child abductions and murders, as well as from urban legends and horror stories that circulated among his peers when he was growing up. While the story and movie are not based on a specific true story or real-life events, they are grounded in the realities of child abduction and the horror that such crimes can inflict on families and communities. The movie also explores the psychological toll of trauma and the enduring effects that such experiences can have on individuals and their loved ones.
The Black Phone Review
Overall, The Black Phone received mixed reviews from audiences and critics. On the positive side, the movie was praised for its eerie atmosphere, strong performances, and well-executed scares. Ethan Hawke's performance in particular was singled out for praise, as he brought depth and nuance to his character.
However, some critics felt that the story was predictable and derivative of other horror films. While the movie was generally effective in creating a tense and suspenseful atmosphere, some found the pacing to be slow and the plot to be somewhat formulaic.
The Black Phone Ending Explained
At the end of the movie, it is revealed that the serial killer known as "The Grabber" (played by James Ransone) has been abducting and killing children for decades. He is a seemingly ordinary man who lives a normal life as a family man, but he has a twisted obsession with capturing and torturing children. The main character, a young boy named Finney (played by Mason Thames), is one of The Grabber's victims. However, he is able to use his knowledge of locks and keys to escape from The Grabber's lair and signal for help. With the help of the local police, Finney is able to lead them to the grabber's house, where they discover the horrific truth about his crimes.
In the final scene of the movie, Finney is shown returning home and reuniting with his family. As he goes to bed, he hears a voice whispering to him through his new phone, which he received as a gift from his father. The voice is revealed to be that of The Grabber, who somehow has found a way to continue his twisted crimes even from beyond the grave. The movie ends with Finney screaming in terror as the voice continues to taunt him. The ending of The Black Phone is intended to be ambiguous and unsettling, leaving viewers with a sense of unease and uncertainty about the fate of the characters. It suggests that the trauma of The Grabber's crimes will continue to haunt Finney and his family, even as they try to move on with their lives.
How to Watch The Black Phone?
The Black Phone is a 2021 horror film directed by Scott Derrickson and written by Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill, based on a short story by Joe Hill. The movie stars Ethan Hawke as a mysterious figure known as "The Ghost" who abducts and tortures children, and Mason Thames as a young boy named Finney who is taken captive by the killer.
The movie is available on Amazon Prime Video, VUDU, Google Play, and iTunes. But to watch the movie, you need to subscribe to the channel at some cost. The film is notable for its tense atmosphere, strong performances, and effective use of horror tropes. Despite the mixed reviews, many viewers found The Black Phone to be an effective and enjoyable horror movie. The film's emphasis on character development and psychological tension, combined with well-timed jump scares, created a memorable and unsettling viewing experience for many audiences.
Is The Black Phone Based on a True Story: FAQs
No, the movie is not based on a specific true story or real-life events. However, it was inspired by Joe Hill's own childhood fears and the urban legends surrounding child abductions.
In the end, Finney manages to escape from the Ghost's clutches with the help of the spirits of other children who were killed by the killer. The Ghost is revealed to be a manifestation of the devil, and Finney is left traumatized but alive.
Ethan Hawke stars in the movie as the Ghost, while Mason Thames plays the young boy Finney.
The movie was directed by Scott Derrickson, who is known for his work on horror films such as "Sinister" and "The Exorcism of Emily Rose".
The movie tells the story of a young boy named Finney who is kidnapped and held captive by a mysterious figure known as the Ghost. As Finney tries to escape and uncover the truth about the killer's identity, he is forced to confront the horrors of his own past and the devastating effects of trauma.