The Exorcism of Emily Rose and even Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson is behind the 2021 horror movie The Black Phone, which is based on the short story. The main character of the story is a young child who was kidnapped by a cruel serial killer. The youngster, who is imprisoned in a soundproof basement, makes contact with other prisoners and plots his escape using a bizarre vintage rotary phone. Although the idea is intriguing, the film struggles to develop a satisfying climax. Spoilers follow as we break down The Black Phone’s storyline and resolution in a FAQ format.
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Did The Black Phone actually occur?
No, a true story was not the inspiration for the film The Black Phone. Yet, there have been countless instances in the past of serial killers kidnapping and killing children. The film is set in the 1970s because it makes reference to such incidents.
Why was the Grabber flawed? How come he kidnapped? Why does the Grabber commit murder?
A sociopath with a grudge against young boys, The Grabber. Given that he tells himself he is punishing misbehaving children, it is conceivable that he first developed this animosity when the Grabber was a little child. Maybe he was mistreated for being mischievous. Throughout the movie, we see that the Grabber treats his victims nicely at first before purposefully leaving the door unlocked. It is the lure. The Grabber sits on the chair, ready to deliver a powerful belt-whipping if the child opens the door and moves towards it. Every child he has abducted eventually tries to escape and is slain.
As Finney doesn’t violate any house rules at first, the Grabber has no window of opportunity to defeat him. Even though we all know that claim to be false, the Grabber insists that he nearly let him go. When Finney finally makes an attempt to flee, the Grabber knocks him out and marks him for a torturous end.
The Grabber has little chance to overcome Finney because he initially doesn’t break any house rules. The Grabber claims that he almost let him go, but we all know it to be untrue. The Grabber knocks Finney unconscious and marks him for a horrible death when he finally makes an attempt to run away.
The Grabber doesn’t wear a single mask; rather, he sports a variety, one for each of his moods. Furthermore terrifying, the masks naturally frighten the victims. He seems to be afraid of the kids seeing his face because of some name-calling trauma from the past. The Grabber’s face is briefly revealed as he is fighting Finney, and it is clear that his face is not malformed. Nonetheless, he lets go of Finney to shield his face, which results in his demise.
Who is Naughty Boy, according to The Black Phone?
The Grabber’s game of death with his victims is called Naughty Boy, and it involves giving them chances to flee. When they do, he brutally beats them within an inch of their lives. By that point, the boys are trying to flee and constantly getting caught until the Grabber kills them for misbehaving. This procedure seems to be the Grabber’s attempt to blame the boys for his killings in order to defend his actions. They would have lived if they had acted properly.
Why is the black phone kept in the basement by the Grabber?
The phone is there for psychological play, just like the mask. Every victim who sees the phone looks for a method to call the outside world and get away when they notice it. However, the phone is left off, instilling a sense of defeat, despair, and hopelessness. The phone’s origins are unknown, and we are also unsure of the phone’s metaphorical significance to the Grabber. It’s difficult to pinpoint what it is, although it might be guilt.
What became of the mother (of Gwen and Finney)?
The mother possessed exceptional abilities, just like Gwen, her child. But, it appears that the mother’s abilities developed in a way that she was unable to control, ultimately killing her. She heard and saw things, and she was so persuaded that her dreams had significance. Finally, they instructed her to commit horrific acts. She then committed suicide.
Gwen’s abilities
Events from the past and present that touch on the spiritual realm appear in Gwen’s dreams. No one from the vision interacts with her in a harmful way, and she sees them like a movie. Since that Gwen hasn’t yet been plagued by nightmares, it seems unlikely that she will share her mother’s destiny.
What happened to the victims, The Black Phone?
Who was the initial casualty?
A young boy named Billy Showalter, who used to bring the newspaper every day, was the Grabber’s first victim. Other than this, we learn very nothing about Billy. He was apparently an innocent child who was abducted by the Grabber, taken to the basement, and executed there.
What has become of Bruce?
In the opening sequences of The Black Phone, Bruce is abducted and then killed by the Grabber off-screen. Bruce is generally a kind kid and a decent sportsman. I guess a little too amiable. The last time we see him, he is pedalling with a smile on his face and the back van is waiting for him.
What has become of Robin?
By using the Grabber, Robin was slain. Robin was able to defend Finny from the bullies at school, but the Grabber, who is well big and would have attacked him with knives, was too strong for him.
Robin walked to the van for what reason?
Robin didn’t proceed to the black van by walking. The Grabber was waiting for him that day as he was proceeding along his usual route. Although it appears that Robin is approaching the van in that scene, he is not.
How did Vance Hopper fare?
The Grabber had abducted and killed Vance the spring before. Vance, in contrast to Robin and Bruce, was a bit of a ruffian who was repeatedly arrested for viciously harming people and getting into problems.
How was Vance taken away?
Once in the cellar, even Vance was helpless in the face of the Grabber. At the end of the day, he was still a child. Although being large, a youngster nonetheless. No comparable to The Grabber, a serial killer who used blades and specially created mood masks.
Who is Max? – The Black Phone?
The Grabber and Max share a home. Max is the Grabber’s brother. While the Grabber is depicted as a raging psychopath, Max is just a regular guy who lives with the Grabber and is completely unaware that his brother has a soundproof basement where he abducts and kills children.
How did Max learn?
How did Max not know is the real puzzle. Max has been using triangulation to determine the killer’s potential location based on the last place the children were seen before they were taken. He suddenly realises that his home is directly related to what he has discovered. So he walks down to take a look after finally realising why he hears all those unusual noises on numerous evenings. The Grabber gives Max an axe to the head once he locates Finney.
What happened to Finney at the end of The Black Phone?
Finney utilises his excellent baseball-throwing arm to beat the Grabber and strangle and kill him with the assistance of all five of the Grabber’s previously deceased victims through the haunting black phone. Each deceased child aids Finney in setting one of the Grabber’s traps, ultimately assisting Finney in taking down the Grabber:
Bruce requests that the trench be dug and covered with carpet.
Billy requests that the concealed cable be removed, and Finney uses it to trip the Grabber into the trench.
Robin instructs him in a few clobbering tactics and requests that the phone handle be filled with muck.
Griffin provides Finney with the front door lock’s combination.
Vance takes Gwen to the house where he has been killed and is buried.
The Black Phone: The narrative doesn’t effectively utilise Gwen’s abilities
Gwen’s character may have played a significant part in the plot, but at the conclusion, she is no longer useful. Her dreams might have directly related to saving Finney. Sure, she aids in locating the graves of the deceased, but even if she hadn’t, Finney would have survived, alerted the authorities, and they would have travelled across the street to locate the bodies.
What did you think of The Black Phone’s storyline and climax? Do you have any inquiries or feedback? Please share your opinions in the section below.
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