THE BLACK PHONE (2022) Ending Explained
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- čas přidán 30. 07. 2022
- #blackphone #endingexplained
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In The Black Phone, a timid young man is taken captive by a mysterious serial killer known as The Grabber. When all looks lost, a black phone starts to ring allowing him to contact the spirits of previous victims. We're breaking down the story, including The Grabber's potential origins, as well as explaining the ending regarding Finn's journey.
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Maybe the film focus is more on the victims and their trauma and how they survive as opposed to going into depth about a murders life. People tend to get caught up in a murders story that they forget about the victim or survivor who has to relive the pain and trauma in their minds everyday. From what I got from others reviews this film is more of a character story from the view point of a victim with some horror tones.
Agreed, good insight.
@@marshwalker8322 He is killing children
That's so true, though. Reminds me of a quote from Chucky.
@@marshwalker8322 The thing is is that while a killer may have gone through something traumatic, it doesn't excuse their actions. The victims are usually just regular people like you and me. They had a whole life ahead of them. College, kids, a career, etc. Killers decide to kill. Victims don't decide to be killed.
John Wayne Gacy is a perfect example. He was abused by his father. While this is sad, it's more upsetting when you remember that Gacy killed and raped dozens of innocent young boys.
@@marshwalker8322 it doesn’t really matter, as he’s not the victim in the movie. He also could just be lying or exaggerating as you never actually see it happen. Aside from that, he’s also wasn’t murdered.
i honestly really love the idea of one of the themes being about breaking abusive cycles. the grabber's line about "the phone hasn't worked since i was a kid" really solidified it for me- how it implies that the grabber had been in a situation like fin, likely abused, and didn't break the cycle, but continued to perpetuate it. the whole thing about fin's dad using a belt to beat gwen, and then the grabber having a belt at the top of the stairs during the "game" is a really interesting juxtaposition that links the two situations. something my boyfriend pointed out was the "i was really thinking about letting you go" line, and how that was NEVER going to happen, but abusers giving a false sense of hope and blaming their victim for something that is completely not their fault is so so common in situations of abuse. also, the sexual abuse implications that was present in little tidbits. the whole "it's his favorite part" thing doesn't ring as the grabber killing the boys to me, but actually assaulting them, and that implication is so much scarier to me. and the grabber being shirtless at the top of the stairs, the scene where he brushes fin's hair, and the "anything i do to you, you'll like" line all feel very, very intentional.
I read the writer's wanted to imply that the grabber was molesting the boys without explaining outright. Because throughout the film I got that vibe as well. It was good to know I was right. It also gives clues as to the grabbers own abuse. The grabber speaks acts like it's in the past but then speaks and acts like it's not. Which led me to believe he was sexually abused in that basement. I figured it had to be someone close to him. The fact the boys bodies were buried in the across the street makes me wonder if the person who did it to him leaved across the street as well. He's basically repeating what was done to him to others. The game "Naughty Boy" just screams sexual undertones. I liked how this movie was more about the victims than the murderer. But also the time between Robin and Finn was shorter than the rest. I think Robin put up too much a fight and the grabber had to kill him quick and find someone else.
I see what you're saying, but eww. That guy was seriously messed up in his head.🖨️💯🤷🏿♂️💪🏾🧔🏾♂️
yes got the molestation vibe right away, especially since the boys he grabbed were hinted at as being "hunks" by the school girls, well vance and bruce anyway! and when he said the phone hadnt worked since he was a kid.....said volumes! this movie was so scary eerie creepy sadistic etc.
You can rlly guess that he’s a pedo even without him speaking seeing as he only kidnaps young boys
@@LadySavXi Exactly what I was thinking!!
I didn't expect a traditional horror/ slasher from the trailer. It's actually refreshing to see a movie not follow the typical Hollywood format. You don't need gore and jump scares to make a decent creepy movie.
Yeah but this movie wasn’t that creepy. It was kind of boring. Creep did a much better job of horror without gore. Way more suspenseful. The dad interacting with the daughter was scarier than the grabber
@@toptiertech7291 Exactly what I was about to say. It just seems incredibly...boring.
@Blue Is My Love it actually wasn't! it was quite interesting if you don't know the plot
@@alyssaplatt3155 Nah, I'll just chalk it hope to different strokes for different folks. The plot seems like it would make an interesting movie but the actual movie was boring.
@@blueismylove3128 to me it was very interesting and kept me contemplating how he was gonna escape
The film to me was clearly about the lifecycle of abuse - the killer was the living, breathing version of that and Finn through the support of his friends (albeit deceased) and sister was able to break the abuse his father was perpetuating and that was being presented in the form of the very real, very visceral killer. It's very much a film about childhood trauma, how it is survived and I absolutely loved it.
The horror of the film comes from knowing what it feels like to be locked in a basement with an alcoholic parent on the otherside of a door excitedly holding a belt hoping you try to escape.
Honestly, good to know you had decent parents and don't recognize that level of childhood trauma. No kid should experience that.
I couldn't have said it better. Anyone who has been a victim of childhood abuse would watch this movie and relate to it very differently. This is a terrifying movie because of how realistic the representation of the damage done to the psyche is portrayed.
Well said!
Yeah I was thinking it was abt abusive parents
The "film" is about a kid escaping a basement
Yeah, now that I'm grown and my mom is sorta recovering from drug abuse the ending kinda hit me because I find it easier to forgive the dad in the film even though I can't do the same for my own mom. She just hurt me in ways that I can't seem to heal from.
I absolutely refuse to believe Robin didn't fight back with the sickest Kung Fu moves imaginable
I hated how quickly robin was killed off..it adds to the story in a way but it would’ve been nice to see glimpses of the other child victims trying to survive
I don't think you understand he is still a child. He would be weaker than a grown man. Strength weight and height is a major factor in a fight.
@@wilddanny4587 SOMEONE doesn't know Karate Kid
@@supremekai4217 the grabber has a frikin Axe bro
And a dog that acts like cujo
I know a lot of people don't like that we didn't get a blatant backstory for the Grabber, but honestly? There's soooooo many hints throughout the movie that it's easy to piece together. He's meant to be a dark reflection of Finn and an example of what Finn's trauma could turn him into if he doesn't find a way to deal with it. So in this case, the Grabber represents Finn's trauma and he has to defeat him to become a fighter, rather than a victim. This story isn't about the Grabber. It's about Finn. That's why the movie spends so much time at the beginning showing you Finn's life, his relationships, and how he deals with his demons. Because it's HIS story and HIS time to be strong.
I absolutely love this! I'll admit I was one of the ones who wished there was more backstory to the grabber, because to put it simply, it's what we're used to...the repetitive and cliche sympathetic storyline that shows us the mind of a killer, but now I love the idea of how this was portrayed. Upon reflecting more behind the meaning of the movie and exactly what you had said about him being his dark reflection, I realized there was simply no point in giving him a backstory when his story reflected the main plot all along, being a victim of abuse. We see that trauma being shown in "real time" with fin and gwen and how they are completely different outcomes from an abusive childhood. I love the elements of adding the relationship between the siblings and their telepathic and psychic abilities. It was also an interesting detail that the grabber remained "close" to his brother but instead killed him because of his darkness, being the total opposite outcome of what these siblings experience in their lives.
Yeah that’s sooo hard to comprehend… stupid dumbass
Exactly. The grabber is only a supporting character in the story of Finn.
That's what I always thought, too🤔
Whether it's the grabber reliving his past as a victim of abuse or your take of it being a representation of Finn's future, they're both interesting takes!
I like yours because the entire time Gwen was being abused, I was hoping Finn would stand up for her. Even though he didn't, I could see how much he wanted to. There was so much anger mixed in with enough fear to keep him from attempting to assault his dad.
The fact that kids are subject to feel so powerless depending on their family is outrageous. Any kind of child abuse is crazy
The premise for The Black Phone would be great for a video game. Especially the circumstances around Fynn trying to escape, the ghost of the dead kids giving him tips, etc. I would play that game.
there's a horror video game called 'At Dead Of Night' which has the same premise of the ghosts of past victims trying to help you escape
@@celinee3104 ahh you beat me to it I was going to recommend that one 😭
Fnaf moment
Dude I straight up said that in my head while watching.
there’s another one called “don’t be afraid” that’s an indie horror game which has similar vibes
The situation the grabber puts the kids in is a perfect visual representation of abuse. On the surface it looks like a normal home, but to the victim it's a prison. The basement isn't the most secure location in the world, and the kid is not tied down. It LOOKS like there's several ways out, but a situation of abuse is set up by the abuser and it's built to fail the victim. If the victim tries to escape, he will be caught and punished. Even getting help could get him killed as we saw with the other boys telling him what to do to escape and it doesn't work. It's no accident he's using the same tool for punishment as the abusive father. He just takes it one step further. Tricked, kidnapped, brought into the world by the abuser, how someone is put in a situation of abuse doesn't matter. it's still abuse.
best explanation i’ve seen yet
amazing explanation wow !! such a good point
I personally enjoyed the grabber having almost no story, he was simply a bad guy. A bully who is a bad person. The simplicity of this movie was incredibly refreshing
Also: The scene when their father is visibly being abuse was a work of art. Not because it was pretty but because it was that real. I found myself crying like a child who can do nothing but apologize to an insane adult. This is another reason why I think the grabber having almost no information is important. This isn’t about him, it is about the kids. What they are going through and what being a kid is like. The situation is terrifying and lonely. The adults don’t help. So it is up to the children o help each other
But most evil serial killers have a backstory, I'm not saying that to justify the behavior. It just is what it is.
Very refreshing indeed
@@homelesshannah50 but the movies from the perspective of an abused kid, the kid doesn’t care nor want the backstory of the abuser, they care about the now they fact that they are getting abused and want to end it
@@ShippingZone Yeah but some commenters keep bringing up that the "Grabber" came from abuse too. Personally I agree, if I were Finn I would just want to bash his head in with a hammer. Screw his trauma
This movie had one very key moment of subversion of tropes/stereotypes. In the beginning of the movie, we see Finn constantly gets beat up by the bullies and in traditional Hollywood movies, these characters are usually portrayed as weak. But Robin's encouragement telling Finn that he has always been a fighter because even though he couldn't throw a punch he always knew how to take one, was very inspiring. I have never view a character who always gets bullied in that light and so it was a very refreshing take and a welcoming one at that.
I wonder why his friend Robin didn't teach him anything even though he knows martial arts. I guess it was like he said, Finn would have to one day fight for himself
@@homelesshannah50 I agree with that last part. Robin was a fighter, both physically and mentally. So he understands very well that standing up for oneself cannot be taught, it must come from within. He/she just needs a little push
Yikes
Yeah, I loved that too. I loved it just as much when it happened for a weaker type character as well in thr anime Attack on Titan. Only he knew he wasn't a loser. It's always fun seeing the less confrontational characters step up.
I love how I’m the end of the movie, Finn uses all of the tricks and items and knowledge he gained from the other victims
The chord, the password and lock, the hole, the grate, the phone, the moves, the screws, the washer, all of it
All of their advice was not for nothing, and none of it was wasted, as Finn used all of them to kill the Grabber and escape
They wanted to help him so they could get payback, like he was going to be their avenger. It's like The Sixth Sense but told in reverse
Even the meat from the freezer to distract the dog!
@@nukenis808 i thought he cut off a chunk from the grabber to give the dog since he walks towards his corpse and comes back holding meat
@@untitledcuzwhynot9963 no, the freezer was in the hall where the grabber fell. Finn dug the hole in the ground and dug through the wall to get to the freezer, which had the meat in it. All of the "failed" attempts to escape were actually connected in the end as a set up to defeat the grabber after the final call. They gave him all the tools he needed to escape him, even though in every phone conversation with the ghost kids he said none of it was working.
My question is, and maybe I'm thinking too deeply about it, is why did every kid say they didn't remember their name? I thought there was going to be something more to that or maybe I missed it, but I'm still pondering that.
I completely loved how after all the things the boys told him were useful in the end. The hole for the grabber to fall in, the cord to trip the grabber and the frame to get his foot stuck/break it, the lock for him to be ready to free himself, the meat so he knows where to go and give it to the dog, and finally the phone as the main use for a weapon. It was so outstanding seeing everything he was told all come together in the end even when he thought what he was being told was completely useless.
I really liked this film. It was more atmospheric than your normal horror film. And you really want the kid to live in the end and you want the grabber to get what he deserves. Really good movie imo. One of the better horror films I seen in a while.
I liked it quite a bit too.
What was up with the powers?
Why they didn't tall about it more
@@pessimistkai5569 most likely because they really needed it for the story but didn’t have a clue how to work it in? Idk feels like a lot of potential and set ups have been missed either they should’ve focused on the basement and the phone, or focused on building character but they went for both and didn’t do 100% in either
@@ellis3320 the movie gave all the hints necessary to explain why they have these powers in the first place. This is why some people walked out of NOPE disappointed. You have to use your head to actually understand the movie and most movies nowadays are super hand holding which is very popular with the mainstream. It’s why marvel movies are so popular (don’t get me wrong I love me some superheros). But, all those movies are super straight forward and everything is spoonfed to you. It’s great to see movies that let you think for yourself instead
@@arkhamcrazies6477 my point is why those powers were not focused more into. It's not a normal thing to happen.
I personally love the idea of the black balloon bouquet. I think it's a very haunting idea. Imagine being outside, then seeing black balloons flying in the sky. Each sight of these balloons resembles another kid being taken.
I was thinking the same! I personally would have loved for them to play on this idea a little more visually, having the black balloons appear more revealing to the public or to the police that he has obtained another victim, making it feel a little more "It" inspired.
I like how they portray the family relationship. The dad DOES love his kids, but he is a deeply damaged person and he loves them in a deeply damaging way.
Finney’s & Gwen’s mother was hearing voices in her head and seeing things. So she was both clairvoyant & clairaudient. Their father was afraid that now that Gwen became clairvoyant in seeing dreams that she was going to start hearing the same voices that her mother heard, which got the mom to kill herself. But I think that they showed it that way unpurpose, because Gwen will never hear voices in her head. Gwen inherited their mother’s clairvoyant ability, whereas Finney inherited her clairaudient ability. As for the grabber being psychic as well, that is somewhat ambiguous. Maybe the ringing was just static. Maybe Finney used that as a mechanism to unlock his clairaudient ability.
I didn't think of this! They really do seem to have both their mother's gifts spread amongst them.
On my watch through I thought of it as similarly as the Shine from King novels.
I just finished watching the movie, and I didn’t think of this! Love that you pointed this out. It was starting to make sense throughout the movie. I too have clairaudient!
I caught on to that also , think this is why Finn was able to survive and beat the grabber . He had the ability to speak to the dead . And him and sister have a psychic connection as well .
Yes, I love this perspective. It makes you wonder about their mother's childhood as well. When we see the police interrogating Gwen in the beginning for assuming her dreams meant she knew something about the case and how her father would beat her into stating that her dreams were only dreams. It's a reflection of the outcome of dismissing a child's gifts (hence the mother taking her own life) just like how the grabber, for fin, was a reflection of his abusive father. But because the spirits of the previous children were not only trying to gain vengeance and help Fin escape, but they were encouraging Fin to step into his power over his bullies and his own abusive home life and this was due to Fin's natural gifts of seeing the supernatural as well. The storyline depicts major cycles of abuse and portrays it in so many different characters. Love how they added that element of psychic abilities and I'm happy that the police took Gwen's lead on finding the house as well. It adds that layer to the story of allowing a child to be themselves and not suppressing their abilities, which is often what happens in abusive situations or what leads to tragedies like the mom taking her life. 😕
He saw the boy spinning in the air so your theory is disproven
Some of us grew up with Child Snatchers that actually existed while we were growing up. And it was terrifying when it was happening. I know it took me back to that happening near my home town growing up in the early to mid 80's.
Plus, with all the convoluted stories being made into movies, these very streamlined and simplified stories are a welcome breathe of fresh air
I'm 34 and the movie really scared my parents. I live in Sacramento and there was actually a paperboy serial killer during the 70s. The movie really hit them hard. Great stuff though they loved it.
last time I was in 5thgrade there was some ominous warnings by teachers to not walk alone because there was some sort of serial kidnapper, I walked alone and nothing happened...
@@Yoobster okay?
@@rofflesvanwagon, I hear that! This kind of stuff still happens today and it's every parents worst nightmare.
My mom is pretty good with horror movies but she thought this would give her nightmares because that was her greatest fear- that her kids would get kidnapped. She fell for the "You dad asked me to pick you up" from the local pool when she was about 7 and got in the car with a stranger, luckily a sheriff that was a family friend saw her in the car with a stranger and saved her.
One thing that’s weird that no one talks about is how the dead boys often reference lines they said when they were alive.
“Your arm is mint, you almost had me.”
“Hey Fin, what’s happenin.”
All lines that were said when they were alive. It’s like they’re stuck reliving the same last moments of their life.
It’s eerie bc of how oddly they repeat it. Even fin says “you already said that.” I wonder the meaning it had.
Good point. Bruce quoted himself. The second time, his voice cracked, then he said he was 'glad' it was Finney. Memories/events irrelevant to their fates/Finney are subdued at death. The weaker their relationship with Finney, the greater the mental strain.
This was one of my favorite movies all year:) In the film, the Grabber mentions how he spent a lot of time in that basement as a child. He also referred to his little brother, Max, as his idiot and seemed very fond of him. I believe the boys were abused by their own parents and locked down there as children. I also think Ethan’s character took most of the abuse to protect Max. The Grabber was inspired by real life serial killer John Wayne Gacy, who had a turbulent relationship with his own father and solely murdered males. The Grabber is actually a part-time clown in the original short story, but the directors didn’t want the audience to think this was another IT copycat. What I gathered from the movie was that the Grabber is trapped in a cycle of abuse and inflicts pain on his victims to finally feel in control. This film made me so emotional and I absolutely loved it. As a survivor of childhood abuse myself, Gwen’s scenes with her father really frightened me. The walking on eggshells, the pleading, the tears, the relief of spending the night at a friend’s safe home all felt so real. Her performance was fantastic. Fin and Gwen reuniting at the end of the film deeply moved me. In real life, we know that almost never happens. It was nice to see a happy ending and watch Fin develop and defend himself against a literal monster.
Someone speculated that the the Grabbers name was John due to how he refers to Finn as 'Johhny' at some point and maybe he's done so with the others as well, playing out his own abuse.
The abuse was really realistic in this film, like the dad acting loving afterwards and the kids being told to sit down and watch tv after the beating. It nearly made me cry. I didn't get beat by my dad but he beat my mom, I remember being told to watch a movie during it and after he sobered up, he'd be pretty nice to us. Movies always depict it as a constantly drunk angry dad dressed like a slob when reality can be so much more different.
I guess the only problem are those naive motherfckers who make excuses for an abuser if they're attractive and have a good side.
@@coldstuff9784 It really was. Not to mention the scariest part of the film. I was sitting in the theater praying not to see or hear another beating scene. I'm very sensitive to that stuff.
Although, you weren't entirely the victim, it hurts just as much to be a witness. I watched it happen to my sister (luckily only once). We were both so small and I spoke up but it wasn't enough. You always question if you could've done more.
Abuse is all too common around the globe. People definitely feel like it has to be manic to be labeled abuse and that just isn't true. Probably why so many excuse it like you say. They too are abusers or victims turned abusers and always excusing themselves and others. Blessings ♡
i read in an article on the movie that the game “naughty boy” was sort of meant to insinuate something else , they didn’t want the movie to be explicit and just left to the imagination but it’s presumed he would SA his victims as well
I'm thinking yeah he was molesting them for sure, he's like a Gacy prototype
Yeah. I thought the "naughty boy" reference was a clear insinuation of SA. Also, the scene with one of the ghost boys hanging from the basement ceiling reminded me of sexual sadism.
It was. The filmmakers confirmed it too, in case some folks didn't get it right away. They didn't want it as the main focus but that's what he'd do, also considering a good amount of inspiration for The Grabber character came from Gacy.
I liked the film. One problem I had with it.. I can not suspend my belief when a serial killer drives a purple van dressed as a magician and takes 5 victims from the same town. No one notices this creep who also lives in the same town. I do like that the cops listened to Gwen since that hardly ever happens. I enjoyed your review as always. Thank you.
He's good at he does, I guess.
Everyone had a black van back then.
I mean, this was the 70s, stranger danger wasn't a thing yet.
Purple??
Yeah I didn't get how know one would not notice him taking the kids either. And he's done it 5 times in the middle of the road and no one's noticed. I have trouble believing that too
The boys could also be a representation of the killers younger self. Maybe like Finn he was scared a lot as a child, and so when he locks the boy's down there they become a stand in for he's own weak self , and in killing them he is trying to destroy that part. The waiting at the top of the stairs could also be a reenactment of something that actually happened to him as a child! Even if it's not a horror movie, it's definitely a thriller!!!
thats what i thought too. most killers go after representations of people (ie a guy killing women who look like his mom) so it makes sense but theres still not enough to suggest that.. plus what about the "im not the one who kills them" bit???
@@misaefre he says that because he can't face who he is. It's why he wears the mask and screams when it is torn off, in that moment with the mask off he was the killer in his mind, something he clearly doesn't want to own up to.
Except some of the other boys were bullies or considered the strong kid in class.
@@Sandybowls_9001 No they weren't none of the victims were bullies
The way the Grabber operates reminds me a lot of The Trinity Killer, played by John Lithgow in the show, Dexter. His method of killing harkens back to his family history, with abused and traumatic experiences as a child; first with his sister's death in a bathtub bleeding out, his grieving mother's death jumping from a high building, and then his abusive father from Trinity beating him to death with a hammer. Trinity also includes the killing of one little boy, representing the death of his innocence, as he lures him away and kidnaps him, drugs him, and then drowns him in cement.
I’m someone who is more afraid of supernatural/ghostly horror films than slasher shit so when I watched this with my boyfriend one night & saw the jump scares of the dead kids, I was SCREAMING. In my opinion, this was the best horror movie I’ve seen this year! I thought it was a perfect mix of horror & coming of age plus Ethan Hawks really ate up his villain role.
While I did want to know more about The Grabber, I loved that they didn’t go down that road. This was Finn’s story plus the dead kids which meant all the focus was on them; not The Grabber. His story didn’t necessarily matter in this case. It was all about the boys & the lives that The Grabber stole so I thought that was a thoughtful & necessary touch.
I legit screamed as well when you first see one of the kids! But I also started getting teary eyed at the young Bruce flashback, thinking about his parents. I don’t know if it’s because I’m a parent now or what, but my heart can’t take the typical pain and gore now. I found this whole movie to be a breath of fresh air, especially the ending!
Because it did well you know they're going to have a part two about the grabbers up bringing 😑
Honestly I hope they don't take advantage of that gap and leave it how it is. The mystery in the grabbers upbringing was intentional. If you pay attention to things like "that phone hasn't worked since I was a kid." Or him waiting upstairs with the belt, you can see how the grabbers childhood reflects the same plot line as Fin and Gwen, allowing you to visualize the dark outcomes of trauma (becoming a monster who projects his abuse on the innocent) vs overcoming your trauma such as Finney when he learned to stand up for himself and re-idenitfy himself as Fin. I also love that they didn't go down that road because he was simply a mirror of Fin's abusive father and the spirits weren't only trying to help him escape or get vengeance, but guiding him to step into his power with his bullies & abusive home life.
ABSOLUTELY!
I like the fact it focuses on the victims instead of the killer. It shows the real trauma of the victims instead of trying to help ya sympathise with the killer.
It was nice to see ,Ethan Hawke doing something different. He was so terrifying in this movie.
I know!
One of his best roles in years!
Right! He did so well!! He was sort of Pennywise-esque in certain ways
Yeah I feel like he did a great job providing as much terror through out each scene
Now Now. His acting has been pretty terrifying in other stuff.
Who else couldn't wait to hear found flix break down the black phone who better to hear from then the master of telling spooky story's around the campfire!
lmao me
Same!!
@@Jackieeeisvibing b
No, Mr. Ballen is the master of spooky story telling. Found Flix is great, but the king is the kingZ
You know that bro
Makes one wonder as to whom was calling the grabber when he was younger. Was at least one, if not both, of his parents also sadistic when it came to other random children? The phone was initially installed down there for a reason; perhaps intentionally made to only recieve calls from within the house. It would be interesting to see an origin story.
Agreed
I found the simplicity of the movie to be a breath of fresh air. The whole “this horror movie has to be an allegory for everything” is getting, in my opinion, starting to get old. I liked how this was just a simple cut and dry horror movie
completely agree with this
Ironic since this movie itself seems to have a lot of allegories to child abuse
i mean, this movie seemed to have many allegories lol
@@lucaswilson4626 That is true, I definitely agree. I mean that it’s not “in your face” or “pretentious” like (and I don’t want to throw them under the bus) A24 films or a lot of indie horror films. A lot of horror, especially back then, had allegories for messages. Godzilla is a big one for allegories and themes. What I mean is that I could watch Black Phone over and over again and still enjoy it. Where as I’ve watched films like Hereditary at most 3 times and the more I’ve watched it, I could see that the “allegories” where really in your face the whole time. I’m not trying to talk smack about films like that because I DO really enjoy them, but once in a while I do enjoy a well done popcorn flick like this.
@@hunterchaney7197 Ah gotcha! I do love films that take unique approaches to spreading their "message."
I could understand how this might disappoint some who expect a certain kind of horror movie, but I still found this movie to be fun and frightening. The dad character was the only part that I really think was unfun and unnecessary.
I think it was necessary. I don't think a kid would know how to act in this situation if he didn't have to deal with unpredictable violence frequently in his life.
Naw it was super necessary.
Fun?
The first time I saw it I was let down that it didn't explore the killer like most horror movies. I liked it a lot more the second time. It's really well done.
@@chucklebutt4470 Second movie? There is already 2 movies? I mean it got released in 2022!
the little girls acting during her abuse scenes were so real to me that I'm concerned about her home life
I hope she's just a great actress and doesn't reveal something in a couple years
It definitely made me tear up watching it
Stop reaching
Yea its called being a good actress. Stop trying to make problems that don't exist, we got enough with the ones that do already...
White knights gonna white knight even when there's nothing to white knight
For sure, I had to look away at some points
My favorite parts were the interactions between Finley and the Hispanic kid. It felt very relatable because I’ve been on both ends (bullied and standing up to bullies for friends), so that part hits home. I LOVED when the ghost taught him how to fight for his life and thought it was a great way to get viewers (like myself) emotionally invested
The Kids name is Robin, the friend of Finney.
@@TrueVampire Moose (The kid Robin fought) being racist was expected but still bro said the slur w PROUDNESS 😭
I really love the relationship with the siblings. Probably my favorite part of the movie.
I personally loved this movie, it focused on the lives of the victims instead of a jerkoff about how the killer thought and functioned.
True Crime media and fiction that emulates it is always obsessed with the killer. I felt triumphant watching these kids get their revenge. But that's because I'm personally a sap.
It was a great film why is this so hard to do with modern movies?
If you want a decent true crime channel you might like That chapter, his videos often dive into the victim's history and degrade the killer, though you still learn about them.
@@Parasolhyena that chapter is very good JCS used to bee awesome but he got banned/stroked/shut down not sure and now tons of JCS inspired channels have popped up and its hard to tell which are the good ones or the bad ones you just see JCS INSPIRED all over and can't watch them all
agreed
True crime is a slippery slope. While it’s important to understand why they did what they did to hopefully prevent it from happening again, we also shouldn’t glorify them. It’s a tough balance to find.
Billy, Robin, Bruce etc, represents the accumulated experiences that would ether make us or break us.
The answer is simple ,it’s to take action.
If not, we suffer from our own lack of discipline. Like Fin, everyone has a story to tell and a fate that can be altered if pursued.
This movie is a solid 8/10 for me, it’s been a while since a movie made me feel so much emotion.
I think it's a bit goofy how loads of kids go missing and no one has any idea who the killer is even tho he's in a black van the most suspicious vehicle lol
@@Periit8644 but he kidnapped them when no one was around
@@malletUsergaming idk about you but if kids were going missing in an area they would not just walk home especially not alone
@@Periit8644 kids aren't aware just how serious this can be and often ignore how this can happen to them. But it all comes to the parents responsibility for there inability to keep their children safe
@@malletUsergaming that's what I'm saying the parents suck. Also the dad at the end gets no punishment for abusing his kids because he says that he loves them that bothered me
Maybe it’s just me but I really enjoyed this movie. Yeah it’s not the scariest movie ever but just how amazing the actors were during the abuse scene left me more on edge and nauseous than anything else and I’ve never had a movie affect me like that. The story leaves things unanswered in a way where I want to know more and it doesn’t feel like the movie was just rushed and left it unanswered, it’s like that because it’s the POV of a child and not the snatcher. Amazing movie all around.
I loved this movie but I was also watching from a parent's POV. ((I have 2 of my own and even if they are teenagers now I still gave them both a big hug when I got home.)) I can tell you having your child snatched is every parent's worst nightmare. So believe me when I say I was rooting for Finny the whole time. Not all stories have to be so over the top to be effective.
The odds of one of your children being abducted are less than 1 in 300,000.
The odds of them being killed by some 'stranger danger' character are far less.
But please - look up these statistics for yourself. Knowledge is always a good thing.
Silly movies like this have led to nearly 2 generations of children growing up as morbidly obese blobs that spend their days in front of a monitor, more influenced by the internet than by their too busy with work single parents.
I raised my own son by myself, more or less, due to his mother's drug problems, and he got on a fair share of trouble growing up.in the Bronx, but he turned out ok.
Fortunately, I never let him have any screens or computer like devices in his room. The computer and tablets and such stayed in the living room.
He's in his 20's now, and is as skinny as a beanpole, like his dad.
I'm very grateful. Even if the poor little guy got his heart broken recently...
That's part of growing up too. He just doesn't know it yet. 😂
It's interesting that even though their father was an abusive drunk asshole you STILL worried about his safety and wanted him to come back.
@@JohnSmith-mk1rj Dude, they werent saying they think its gonna happen. They were saying its a nightmare circumstance. My worst nightmare is being alive permanently. Doesnt mean i actually think its gonna happen
@@homelesshannah50 i think it was he cared about them but was very broken and didn’t want gwen to end up like the mother.although that doesn’t excuse his actions i think he wanted to scare her into believing that her dreams actually meant nothing so she wouldn’t end up like her because that would push him even more over the edge
(this is what i think)
When it comes to violence against kids, victims rarely get an explanation nor closure.
So, if you're confused and disappointed and feel frustrated about having no reason for the events, now you have some idea what being a victim of child abuse is like 🙃
Exactly! I don't see how more people aren't getting it. He kidnapped, abused, and killed young boys. In real life, there are no real motive for these types of murders. He was a psychopath plan and simple. I loved the film and found myself tearing up. It is considered horror because of the elements in the film. Since when does a film have to be "scary" in order for it to be considered horror...and I found the movie scary in the fact there are kids abducted right now trying to escape.
@@KT-zo8cg i loved the movie. Had me on the Edge of my Seat the whole time. I was really invested. Cried nesr the end. I left really happy having paíd to watch in the movie theater.
🎯
No but they spend little to no time with the murdered kids. They didn’t need full backstories or explanations but honestly besides telling him where things were they serve no purpose. The movie could of done without them and it wouldn’t of made a difference and THAT’S the bad part that they’re characters are suppose be a big part of the movie but “hinting” and like he said “showing less” isn’t always good. If they would of showed some Scenes of the kids being tortured, killed or something to make you go DAMN! That’s uncomfortable then maybe. The part where the little girl got spanked was WAY more uncomfortable then any of the kid scenes
Has nothing to do with this movie 😂😂 it’s not that deep
If you look at the Grabber mask, it has a similar silhouette as the father's face with the receding hair line and the beard. (To clarify, similar does not mean exactly the same.) It would be very easy to confuse the Grabber with the father if they were both back-lit and towering over you from the top of the stairs.
A mask covers the grabber's face, just like his dad used alcohol to rationalize(mask) his abusive behavior. If you've ever lived in a household with an abusive alcoholic, walking on eggshells would be considered easy mode. I guess for humanity in general, we tend to overwrite negative inward emotions with more negative outward emotions. Rage cancels Grief.
I thought the same. also the killer saying he won't hurt him. it's like an abusive parent when they assure you they love you if you just behave they won't hurt you. it's never true
I myself used anger at my parents to hide my fear from myself after I finally got away. took some time to come to terms with everything (and I'm still kinda working on it)
@@marveludus It's a trope that the bully is hiding their inner self loathing, but it's a true one. It's just what we do.
@@marveludus oh true ir like tell me the truth and i won't get angry - then belt comes out
As seems to line up with how after the Grabber is killed, the dad asks forgiveness and seems like he might try to get help(rehab or something).
Wat do u mean
I really enjoyed the movie and it did scare me at some parts because it taps into that first rule we’re taught as kids “stranger danger”. It was definitely more about the kids than the killer. There isn’t a happy ending either because Finney has to return to his abusive dad
The happy ending was his dad apologizing for his behavior and apologizing to Gwen for trying to stunt her abilities and not believing her. They did not forgive him as it was a bittersweet ending
It was a happy ending, their dad apologized and presumably changed his ways
I honestly really like this movie! I love how it is different from most serial killer movies. The black phone plays a big role in the movie. Really threw me off how the siblings have physics abilities. There was the twist at the end of the movie where he has 2 houses; 1 for killing & 1 for burying. In lots of serial killers the killings aren't always in the woods/forest. More so it is right within your friendly neighborhood! Or stalkers.
Gacy had 2 houses
I'm glad he's covering this one, but I'm ever happier that I was able to see it for myself first!
For once right 😂
I don't want to watch his video until I see it first. Can you guys tell me who the sponsor was for this video? I might want to support before I see the movie.
@@forallthestupidshit3550 me too!
@@forallthestupidshit3550 audible
@@forallthestupidshit3550 audible 😀
The living room max (deputy so and so) is sitting in is the same one as Ellison Oswald in sinister. The blood/rust line on the wall in the basement is a direct visual to the cover/ending of sinister. The mask ethan is wearing when Finn first wakes up looks extremely similar to Bughuul. All awesome easter egg call backs to sinister.
i honestly love how simple yet impactful the film is. finney is such a likeable character from the jump... the underdog i'd say even, as he's already a victim of abuse and bullying, but now he's up against a deranged serial kid killer. although finney is just a kid, especially one unlike vance or robin who are able to fight well, he finds strength through such a traumatic event through his psychic/supernatural ability and intelligence. i like that the story isn't completely focussed on the grabber and his backstory either.
I like the idea of the grabber having psychic abilities and that’s why he could hear the phone too. Maybe that’s why his brother did drugs, to not have to deal with his “gift”
Was I the only one who watched the trailer and knew it wasn't a horror movie? I only watched the original trailer and not what came after, but it just seemed more suspense oriented and not horror which is why I want to see it.
I agree that it wasn't advertised as a horror movie originally. More like a mystery/suspense with vague supernatural elements. But after the movie was released; there was definitely a different angle to the promotion. Lots of "This is the scariest movie ever. Terrifying."..etc. so I could see how some people might have been expecting something different.
Then theres who was absolutely fucking horrified through out this entire movie
It was a horror movie. It sent a really powerful message to. Your not living just for you.
It was widely advertised as "The scariest movie you'll ever see!" when it wasn't scary much less creepy and at times wasn't suspenseful when it clearly was supposed to be. I never gripped the edge of my seat watching this. And it's kind of listed as a horror/thriller movie so technically it was supposed to be horror.
I consider it a horror film. It has many pf the elements: gore, jumpscares, supernatural/paranormal, suspension, monster. There are many different types of horror.
Literally just saw horror legend Tom Savini today who worked on the mask and signed my poster for this movie!!
I'm so jealous! Cool!
Cool !!
I’m not sure about everyone else, BUT I actually cried at the scene between Finn& Rob “you gotta stand up for yourself”. Him doubting how strong he could be, digging down and finding what he didn’t think he had. It really made me emotional (possibly relating myself). And then to see him be victorious and “slaying the monster” that no one else could.
More of a psychological thriller than horror, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Reminds me of “The Lovely Bones” to an extent.
As someone who read 20th century ghosts, i was not disappointed at all. Some of the scenes in this were completely book accurate and for that i love it. This might be one of my favorite horror movies of all time just because it was so accurate to the book, which is one of my fav books of all time. It also seems to me they took some inspiration from other of 20th century ghosts short stories, specifically “my fathers mask”, which was awesome to me that they did that. They did a fantastic job doing this.
Incredible movie but I can't wait for your NOPE ending explained
Same here
The dad beating Gwenny was so hard to watch.
I loved this movie! As a child in the late 70's, in Michigan we had the Oakland county child killer, the case has never been solved.
Just how many killers were in the 70s
@@shaquezr.9541 Too many! Lol think about it, no DNA testing available, no cameras. Crazy times back then
You KNOW the kid who unalived a serial killer would never be bullied again.
Owning the house across the street kinda makes sense as it would be a shorter travel to hide the bodies compared to taking them to a farther spot and thus being caught durring a police check point if the town ever had a curfew.
Also sometimes a simple story is all you need. I enjoyed it. I left happy knowing I spent money on something good in my opinion and that’s worth it!
This movie was so Solid. I loved this movie, maybe because I went into it not knowing what to expect, but I think because it just uses the fear of being taken as a child really getting you down.
I thought that the killer had like a split personality thing going on when he was talking about his brother and kept saying that "he was getting in the way of his plans" and was shocked when he actually had a brother LMAOO
I honestly really loved this movie. I saw it twice before it left theatres. I was left scratching my head on why the grabber does what he does but I loved it and was constantly on the he edge of my seat.
I sometimes think it's more interesting when you don't know the villain's motivations or background
@@alioh7615 ya I suppose that's true because frankly for me it's more scarier when they don't have a reason and it's just for fun or something like that.
@@alioh7615 yea for me when they explain the killer it’s boring and ruins imo cause he isn’t mysterious and u already know his reason this one u wonder and think why and be on the edge of ur seat
@@emilybarnes330 The scariest part of the movie that had me scratching my head was that they fashioned the grabbers mask after Jeff Epstein’s face. Super scary.
I saw this movie and didn't realize Ethan Hawke was the villain, but it's cool seeing Max and The Grabber reunite for a film since Sinister!!! The movie was really fun!!!
You guys complaining really need to step your life up, we all know why you’re so angry…. 🍤.
Its on the cover
@@slorbonmyknorb777 Like literally 😂😂
@@slorbonmyknorb777 this movie came out before the theatrical release. I think it was a film festival in 2021, where people saw it.
@@slorbonmyknorb777 yeah Ik 😂 but I just saw the trailers and was like oh this is interesting and just watched it blind 😂
Are you blind?
I gotta be honest... This movie scared the shit out of me. I fail to comprehend how you don't classify this as a horror film. Hawke's character is just so fucking unsettling THE ENTIRE TIME.
What he means is every few minutes the movie doesn’t grind to a halt to do a jump scare. He refers to the jump scare with the screen cutting suddenly to the floating bloody kid as “the only scary part of the movie”. So annoying. If ppl keep pushing that idea eventually all horror is going to suck.
the alcoholic father and how the kids trying to be as quiet as possible was truly scary
I'm not gonna lie I laughed at the end when he sat down at school, I just pictured in my head after his little girl friend says "Hi Finny" in my mind it should've ended with him looking real fast at her and saying "I killed a guy with a phone"
Actually he snapped his neck, but that works too
Me and my parents saw the movie in the theaters. I was expecting something different of the movie, but I really enjoyed it 😅
What were you expecting?
ME TOO.
I LOVED LOVED LOVED this movie! I watched from two perspectives, first, as a survivor of abuse and also as a mother. This film will stay with me for a long time.
Man Finn was such a good actor, he did amazing in this role
Good pick up on the mask, I just wanted to add too he said "part time magician" implying that he only does this "sometime" when clearly he does this all the time... his non masked identity is the part time magician, the other identity cares about his brother. Perhaps the reason he cares about his brother is because they both were abused as kids, and perhaps thats why the brother hesitates to visit the basement that they were both abused in.
This movie has given me the most insane deja vu since the moment I saw the trailer. The name of the movie, the mask, the story, the boys all standing in the road... I SWEAR I have already seen this movie years ago. I don't think I'm mistaking it for a different movie, but I could be wrong. I just have such an overwhelming feeling of deja vu any time I see anything related to this movie.
Thought I was the only one, felt like I've seen it before but couldn't place it. I just chalked it up to my imagination or me confusing it with a similar movie. Even watching it made me feel odd.
When I first watched it I thought foundflix had already done a ending explained for it but that was like weeks ago I was so confused cause I knew what was gonna happen while I was watching it
Same, I feel like I’ve seen found flix already cover it.
sorta the same here i couldve sworn ive seen the trailer to this 2 years prior to the trailers release
You might be remembering a similar 1988 movie called "Lady in White." It's about a boy who is helped by a murdered girl's ghost to track down a serial killer. It bombed in theaters because audiences were expecting a gory horror movie and not a supernatural mystery from a child's POV. However, it became a cult classic, especially as a children's movie to show on Halloween.
I appreciate that the Grabber's backstory wasn't laid out. Small hints throughout the movie tell us the Grabber was also probably abused as a kid. But I'm glad we weren't given the chance to sympathize for him.
Had to listen to other recap videos, when you finally dropped yours - You once again showed you're the difference. Actually sounds like a good movie when you do it haha
I rarely disagree with Foundflix on movies I've seen before he's reviewed them, but I really enjoyed this movie.
I think he was correct when he said he might have overhyped the movie before hw saw it. I didn't even know the same director was involved with Sinister (another great movie) and if I had I might have been expecting something different too.
Either way, you don't always have to agree with someone to still like them. Keep up the good work Foundflix.
“Didn’t even know we were doing a supernatural thing…”
- person who’s watching a film about a ghost phone 🤣
Loved it! But I had read the short story so I knew what to expect. This was awesomely done! Couldn't wait to see it.
Every criticism you make is why the movie is so good. It really captures the mood of the seventies and movies of the time.
Best horror movie of the year so far imo. I like that it's simple. Not everything has to be an A24 elevated horror flick.
All the criticisms in the beginning are why I liked the movie, it was a simple realistic story with a supernatural twist. A nice change after a series of crappy oversaturated movies
Sometimes a simple story is all you need.
Not everything has to be an A24 elevated horror. I like that it's simple.
It's not really my type of movie I kind of found it boring but I really get the appeal of a simplistic storyline. Sometimes it's nice to have a movie that isn't overly complex and hard to understand that way you get into it better because you actually know what's going on and why what's happening is happening.
Been waiting for you to cover this! 🖤
Thank you thank you thank youuuuuu!!!!! Been waiting for this recap.
This movie was so good!! Emotional, funny, devastating, everything that makes a great horror film.
Edit: I respectfully disagree with the opinion that this movie isn’t scary, I think that it’s terrifying. The way that the music and camera guides the viewer…. It keeps you on edge the whole time. Seeing this movie in the theatre made me jump several times, and I do not get scared easily!
Ethan Hawke absolutely killed it in the Northman, he's really good at these obscure disturbing roles
Good review ....and GREAT movie! I really loved this one! Going into my library! Saw it today...and in my eyes..what I've wanted to see for a while!
I LOVED this film! When I went to see it, all these parents were sitting there with their kids and I was like "Wth?" But after watching it I understand. Yes, kids. Sometimes you will have to fight for yourselves. And you can win if you use all the help the village has given you. Great message. Most heartfelt horror movie I have seen since the Sixth Sense. And I feel the horror was really there because it was true horror. The community violence in this film was truly terrifying. The beatdowns were visceral and the spankings brutal. Sometimes the true horror is real life.
I enjoyed the movie. It didn't bother me that the grabber didn't have an origin story. It would have been generic anyway, abused when he was younger or something else just as cliche.
I literally just finished watching this movie 30 minutes ago. I like it. Never had me looking at the clock.
I honestly loved this movie and have seen it twice already, I think the story is real life scary as this kinda stuff happens all the time still but it is more creepy / a thriller. I think it was fun and creepy and the ending was definitely my favorite part.
I love your videos so much! ....i laugh , because your sense of humor is awesome :) Stay you Mr. FoundFlix
5:08 Funny how the "bullies" in films are often dressed in literally clothes that in my time at school would scream "beat the crap out of me"
Rented this movie on the tv right before you uploaded this. Now that I’ve watched the movie I’ve gotta be honest, I liked it. I really thought they were gonna have a twist at the end but nope kid just got out and survived. You make a good point about how the movie just doesn’t try to show any understanding.
This was not just the "ending explained" this was the whole movie recapped & explained! Well done & thank you!
I saw the movie in theaters and it wasnt necessarily a bad movie, there was just a lot more gaps that could have been filled, that should have been (imo), particularly the killer
Personally I enjoyed that they didn’t focus too much on explaining details like the phone or what happened to the Grabber in the past, etc. Instead it just focused on the story at hand. It made for a smooth and satisfying experience for me at least.
@@cadentan9083 pp
I kept laughing. 🫣
@@cadentan9083 I think the fact that he has an obvious MO is all the more reason to give him a little more backstory, that could potentially make him more menacing or even scarier or just creepier, it would have lemt itself to the story a lot more than just some guy
@@AngelSanchez-zb3us benis
Kinda interesting how you and most people don't mention how Finn also has psychic powers.
He did mention Finn has psychic powers
Vance was yanked away when he said to much its almost like some malevolent force is in control
I love the part where the dad asks the kids for forgiveness realizing how much they matter to him and seeing Finn’s better character I’m assuming he cleaned up his act and became a much better father and I just love it so much
As a recent high school graduate: They absolutely still do frog dissections. I did one in middle school.
I had to dissect a pig in high school 🤢🤮
Wow, I was just looking for The Black phone on your channel yesterday and today you upload it 😂
Same
was literally waiting on this!
I saw others do a recap of this and it was so short and I did like it but I'm sooooo happy you did it !!!!
The movie was also based on a short story so that might seem why it was so bare bones or some stuff weren’t explained more so they wouldn’t lose the charm of the short story?
Yesssss been waiting now waiting for more popular series
Thank you so much. Sure I have nothing to do with it but you have covered 3 films I requested and I can’t thank you enough.
I love this movie so much such a good movie so on point to the 70s & how things were back then!
I've been waiting on this notification for a while!
One of my top favourite horror movies. Thanks for making a video coving this movie!