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THE BLACK PHONE (2021) IS ABSOLUTELY CHILLING!! MOVIE REACTION!! Ethan Hawke | Mason Thames

2025-10-14 Entertainment
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Reaction and Breakdown: The Black Phone (2021) Commentary

Analyze how The Black Phone masterfully merges grounded family drama with supernatural terror, detailing Ethan Hawke’s chilling performance and the source material’s adaptation.

Short Summary

  • Evaluate Ethan Hawke's sinister performance, driven by subtle voice modulation and mask choices, making the Grabber a top-tier modern villain.
  • Applaud the film's successful blend of frightening family dynamics (Finny and his chemically dependent father) with explicit supernatural help from deceased victims.
  • Note the strong visual storytelling, reminiscent of classic Stephen King adaptations, particularly regarding the 1978 aesthetic and flashback structure.
  • Detail the specific analysis comparing the merits of the Director’s Cut versus the theatrical ending differences.

The hosts reunite to dissect Scott Derrickson’s acclaimed horror film, The Black Phone. This discussion dives deep into the powerful performances of Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw, the terrifying antagonist, and the powerful thematic resonance found in blending coming-of-age elements with intense suspense. Use this breakdown to compare filmmaking choices and appreciate the nuances inherited via Joe Hill’s source material.

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Description

BEWARE THE GRABBER!! The Black Phone Full Movie Reaction Watch Along: https://www.patreon.com/thereelrejects - Visit https://huel.com/rejects to get 15% off your order - Support The Channel By Getting Some REEL REJECTS Apparel! https://www.rejectnationshop.com/ With The Black Phone 2 in theatres this weekend, Aaron, Andrew, & Johnald REUNITE for The Black Phone Reaction, Recap, Commentary, Breakdown, & Spoiler Review! From director Scott Derrickson (Sinister, Doctor Strange) and based on the chilling short story by Joe Hill, The Black Phone (2021) is a modern horror hit that blends supernatural terror with raw emotional storytelling. Set in 1978, the film follows Finney Blake (Mason Thames – For All Mankind, Walker), a shy 13-year-old boy kidnapped by the sadistic Grabber, played by Ethan Hawke (Training Day, Moon Knight). Locked in a soundproof basement, Finney discovers a disconnected black rotary phone that mysteriously allows him to communicate with the voices of the Grabber’s previous victims. With the help of his tough and determined sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw – Toy Story 4, The Harbinger), Finney must gather the strength to fight back and escape. Known for its terrifying atmosphere, the Grabber’s unforgettable mask designed by Tom Savini, and the heart-pounding showdown in the film’s climax, The Black Phone quickly became one of Blumhouse’s most acclaimed horror releases. Also featuring Jeremy Davies (Justified, Lost) as Terrence Blake and E. Roger Mitchell (The Walking Dead, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire) as Detective Wright. In this reaction & review, Aaron Alexander, Andrew Gordon & John Humphrey dive into the Director’s Cut of The Black Phone and also discuss the theatrical ending, comparing how the alternate edits change the tension and legacy of the story. #TheBlackPhone #EthanHawke #MasonThames #MadeleineMcGraw #ScottDerrickson #JoeHill #Blumhouse #TheBlackPhoneReaction #TheBlackPhoneReview #HorrorMovies #Horror #HorrorMovie #JoeHill #StephenKing #BlackPhone #BlackPhone2 #TheBlackPhone2 #React #ReactTo #Reaction #Scary #Suspense The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) Movie Reaction: https://youtu.be/YXrGQyfFNd4 The Purge (2013) Movie Reaction: https://youtu.be/6JM_KJJHCzQ The Craft (1996) Movie Reaction: https://youtu.be/3k4S7neYQ24 US (2019) Movie Reaction: https://youtu.be/LRzOs_yd_Ec Rob Zombie's Halloween (2007) Movie Reaction: https://youtu.be/4FivfGMb6-8 Follow Andrew Gordon On Socials: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MovieSource Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agor711/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/Agor711 Follow Aaron On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealaaronalexander/?hl=en 0:00 Checking In! 1:45 The Black Phone Reaction 33:42 HUEL 35:21 The Black Phone Movie Reaction 1:05:00 The Black Phone Review Intense Suspense by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ RR Clips & Shorts Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ReelRejectsClips Follow TheReelRejects On The Socials: IG: https://www.instagram.com/reelrejects/ TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@thereelrejects?lang=en TWITTER: https://twitter.com/thereelrejects FB: https://www.facebook.com/TheReelRejects/ Music Used In Ad: Hat the Jazz by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Happy Alley by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Head Editor: https://www.instagram.com/praperhq/?hl=en Supervising Producer: https://twitter.com/nerdchronic?lang=en Co-Editor: Greg Alba Co-Editor: John Humphrey Music In Video: Airport Lounge - Disco Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Follow & Listen to Us Wherever You Get Your Podcasts!! - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3XHMwbveiznxSOGxN9XT0M - Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vc3Rhci13YXJzLXRhbGs - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-reel-rejects-tv-movie-recaps/id1616339990 - Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Apocalypse-Podcast/B08JJP58FG Ask Us A QUESTION On CAMEO: https://www.cameo.com/thereelrejects Follow GREG On INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thegregalba/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/thegregalba PLAYLISTS: Trailer Reactions & Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-bIhJVeYWw9ZsLdoAQFpx38s2hhyFgDe Movie Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-bIhJVeYWw-comtadVs8b9JsZEWHUyr8 Sketches & Short Films: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-bIhJVeYWw_zWuTRfBOUP3aYyIYRzc2y

Top Comments (10)

@RockyDaTherapist 2025-10-14

“It’s not about you”. The ghosts were calling to make sure their bodies were found. Finney had to save himself.

994 15 replies
@haileijohnson9267 2025-10-14

The reason why Robin still had all of his memories was because he was the most recent one to die since he was kidnapped and killed prior to Finney. The other kids had been dead longer, and the longer you're dead In this universe, the less you remember. So, since Robin had been killed very recently, most likely only a few days before Finney was taken, he still remembered everything and was able to give Finney the strength, hope, and motivation to escape

642 2 replies
@vadalia3860 2025-10-14

"How'd the grabber get this guy?"- because he's a kid. And even the biggest, most baddass kid is still a child going up against a grown adult man with the element of surprise and malicious intentions. I really liked this movie making it clear there is a distinct difference between what even bully/fighter kids like Vance Hopper & Robin are capable of compared to what an adult serial killer is capable of.

415 9 replies
@kavtoM 2025-10-14

I love how each boy helped Finney get out. All those kids should have made it home. 😭

372 4 replies
@Howgego_C 2025-10-14

As someone who only survived the trauma of childhood because of the sibling bond, this movie made me fully sob at the end. From the second she leaves that fence and she starts her run to him, I was in floods

314 2 replies
@RawTimee 2025-10-14

He wasnt lying when he said finn’s arm is mint lmao

251 1 replies
@wendyd_darling 2025-10-14

These two playing siblings are just phenomenal little actors. They carry the whole movie!! ❤ 🍿

203
@fairyghoul9032 2025-10-16

A horror movie where the siblings actually love and care about each other is SO RARE😂

108 3 replies
@H0ll0w88 2025-10-18

I love how the played out how much rage Vance Hopper still had, and the way that the first kids that were kidnapped had the least memories

48
@ReelRejects 2025-10-14

*Black Phone 2 (2025) Greg & Roxy's Movie Reaction:* https://youtu.be/v9x37v0pZZk Don't Get Grabbed!! Hit that *LIKE & SUBSCRIBE* Button 👉 https://www.youtube.com/user/TheReelRejects?sub_confirmation=1 - Visit https://huel.com/rejects to get 15% off your order - Full Reaction *Watch Along* & MORE For *Royal* Rejects: https://www.patreon.com/thereelrejects - Become A *Righteous Reject* By Grabbing Our Apparel: https://www.rejectnationshop.com/

37 3 replies

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