Black Phone Saga: How Did the First Horror Film End? Find Out Now!

On May 4, 2022, Marvel unveiled Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the latest addition to its Cinematic Universe. This film was slated to be the seventh directed by Scott Derrickson, who had agreed to return following the success of the previous installment, which grossed nearly $678 million worldwide. He was set to helm what was anticipated to be the MCU’s first horror film.

However, due to the usual “creative differences”, Sam Raimi took over the project, and shortly afterward, Scott Derrickson made a true horror movie comeback. This was with Black Phone, an adaptation of the short story “The Black Phone” by Joe Hill (Stephen King’s son), featuring a boy kidnapped by the mysterious Grabber (Ethan Hawke) who manages to escape by communicating with his previous victims.

This is a very simplified summary of the story through which the filmmaker was able to convey the violent and eerie atmosphere of his childhood in the late 1970s. As the sequel, which was not initially a given in 2022, draws near to our screens, here’s what you should keep in mind if you don’t have time to rewatch the film.

Previously in Black Phone…

The year is 1978, in the suburbs of North Denver, Colorado (where Scott Derrickson grew up). Parents are terrified that their children might fall prey to the Grabber, a masked serial kidnapper and killer who is still at large. Poor Finney Blake (Mason Thames), who is already dealing with school bullying and a violent father (not to mention memories of his mother who committed suicide after a series of disturbing psychic dreams), gets caught by him along with his friend Robin.

When he awakens, he finds himself in a soundproof basement with a disconnected old black phone mounted on the wall, which unexpectedly begins to ring. On the other end of the line is Bruce, the latest victim, who communicates with Finney from beyond the grave. He talks about a loose tile he can remove to dig a tunnel (though unsuccessfully), just as Billy, also deceased, warns him not to fall into the Grabber’s trap of leaving the door open after bringing him food.

Meanwhile, Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), the hero’s sister who has inherited their mother’s powers (or curse?), assists the investigators by using her visions to pinpoint the location. This leads them to meet Max (James Ransone), a peculiar character who is seemingly very interested in the Grabber’s activities… unbeknownst to them, he is the Grabber’s brother and uses his basement to hide his future victims.

Freed at Last?

As Finney makes progress with the help of calls from a certain Vance and his friend Robin, Gwen manages to locate the house where Max is killed with an axe after uncovering the truth. Gathering his strength and courage, the hero manages to kill his assailant, which frees him and allows his previous victims to finally rest in peace. Until today, with the upcoming release of Black Phone 2 on October 15, which sees the boogeyman return. How? Find out in theaters.