The Black Phone
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Where to watch: We have not been able to check the US streamers for this one — try 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)?
- We have not been able to confirm where The Black Phone is streaming in the US. Look for it on digital rental or purchase (Apple TV, Prime Video, or your usual store).
The Black Phone (2021) Cast
- Mason ThamesFinney
- Madeleine McGrawGwen
- Ethan HawkeThe Grabber
- Jeremy DaviesTerrence
- E. Roger MitchellDetective Wright
- Troy RudesealDetective Miller
- James RansoneMax
- Miguel MoraRobin
Top-billed, in IMDb's billing order.
