
The first Black Phone movie was a big success, mainly because of the strong acting. Ethan Thames, who became a rising star after this film and landed roles in other popular movies, and Madeleine McGraw, who played Finney’s brave sister Gwen, both captivated audiences. Ethan played the terrified Finney, while Madeleine portrayed Gwen as she used her psychic abilities to try and save him – a power reminiscent of the character ‘Shining’. Ethan Hawke’s villain, the Grabber, was also incredibly effective, switching between unsettling politeness and genuine menace, and his mask quickly became iconic. The story was gripping and ended in a way that felt complete and satisfying – a rare treat in horror films. However, Blumhouse has decided to revisit the story with Black Phone 2.