Despite originally slated for a January 28, and later February 4, release date, Blumhouse’s latest shocker, THE BLACK PHONE has put horror fans on hold a tad longer than expected with the film now set to release in UK cinemas this coming June 24, 2022.
Directed by Scott Derrickson (Sinister, Doctor Strange), from a script he wrote with C. Robert Cargill (Doctor Strange, Sinister franchise), based on the short story by Joe Hill, The Black Phone stars Ethan Hawke (Training Day, Boyhood) as we’ve never seen him before, with A.V. Club describing his role as a “Pennywise-meets-Wonka child killer”.
Set in the 1970s, the film tells the sordid tale of five children who go missing in a suburban Colorado town. Shortly afterward, Finney Shaw (Mason Thames), a shy but clever 13-year-old boy, is abducted by a serial killer and trapped in the confines of a soundproof basement. On finding a disconnected phone, Shaw soon discovers his ability to transmit the voices of the killer’s previous victims, who try to help him escape. Meanwhile, his sister (Madeleine McGraw)starts experiencing recurring visions that might just help her find Finney.
Based on early festival reviews of the film following its world premiere at Fantastic Fest, all the buzz is suggesting that Derrickson’s latest has all the makings of the next possible horror franchise for Universal and Blumhouse.
The mind behind the original story, Hill, has also voiced his praises for the adaptation:
So my friends @scottderrickson and @Massawyrm made a brilliant movie out of my short story, “The Black Phone” (out this summer). That story first appeared in my collection 20TH CENTURY GHOSTS… which has been re-released with a new title and cover. In stores now. pic.twitter.com/sbptqPf51A
— Joe Hill (@joe_hill) January 9, 2022
All will be revealed when the film releases on June 24, but, in the meantime, we’ll leave you with the official trailer.
