The Black Phone
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Where to watch: Not on major US streamers — check digital rental.
How it scared people
The vibe
Ethan Hawke had never played a villain before this, and he does it behind a modular mask by Tom Savini that comes apart into different faces — top half, bottom half, grinning or not. Adapted from a Joe Hill short story, it's more a kidnapping thriller with ghosts than a haunting, and it's carried by the kids.
The Black Phone (2021) Parents Guide
| MPA rating | Rated R |
|---|---|
| Runtime | 103 minutes |
| Jump scares | 4/5 — genuinely scary, with sustained tension and hard-hitting scares |
| Gore | 2/5 — only light gore |
| Dread | 3/5 — a lingering atmosphere that stays for the evening |
| Themes | characters cut off from help; psychological distress; paranoia and distrust |
The Black Phone is rated R by the MPA. We score it 4/5 for jump scares, 2/5 for gore and 3/5 for lingering dread, over 103 minutes. Not graphic, but it works hard for the jolt. Older teens and adults — less for what it shows than for how long it stays with you.
We rate what the film does — scares, gore, dread — not scene-level content like language or nudity, which we don't track.
Before you press play
- How scary is The Black Phone?
- On our intensity scale, The Black Phone rates 8/10 for jump scares and 6/10 for dread. It is genuinely scary, with sustained tension and hard-hitting scares.
- How gory is The Black Phone?
- The Black Phone rates 4/10 for gore — expect only light gore.
- How long is The Black Phone?
- The Black Phone runs 103 minutes (1h 43m).
- What is The Black Phone rated?
- The Black Phone is rated R by the MPA. On our own scale it rates 8/10 for jump scares, 4/10 for gore and 6/10 for dread — the R tells you what it was certified, those tell you what it will do to you.
- Where to watch The Black Phone (2021)?
- The Black Phone is not on major US subscription streamers right now — look for it on digital rental or purchase (Apple TV, Prime Video, or your usual store).
