Mr Harrigan S Phone Vs The Black Phone A Comparison And Analysis

In preparation for the spookiest night of the year, October’s Netflix releases are largely horror-related, and one of the most anticipated, Mr. Harrigan’s Phone was recently released. The new movie is an adaptation of a short story by none other than the king of horror, Stephen King. King has a son, Joe Hill, who is also a writer who had an adaptation of his own short story released in 2022: The Black Phone.

There is no denying that the King family has a very creative mind for horror and thrillers. The father and son have even collaborated in writing books and novellas before, including the novel Sleeping Beauties. It is interesting that both movies were released in the same year (which has been very nice to horror fans around the world) since they have very similar aspects, but at the same time, couldn’t be more different. Their distinctive grasps on horror, mood, and tone enhance the difference between both stories.

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There is no better feeling than getting into the mood for Halloween by watching new horror movies, especially those created by this family. Here is a comparison and analysis of both films, as well as recommendations for what to watch depending on what you are looking for.

The Black Phone and Mr. Harrigan’s Phone

     Netflix  

Before diving into what these movies have in common and what aspects they diverge from, it is necessary to have a broad idea of what they are about. The excellent Black Phone tells the story of Finney (Mason Thames), a young boy who is kidnapped by a serial killer called The Grabber (Ethan Hawke) and has to escape before he becomes one of the victims. Along with the supernatural help of his sister, who dreams about things before they happen, Finney receives help from a disconnected black phone in the dingy basement where he is held. Through this phone, he can communicate with The Grabber’s murdered former victims and devise an escape plan.

Mr. Harrigan’s Phone is about a young teen called Craig (Jaeden Martell, who is not unfamiliar with King’s adaptations to the big screen; he was a part of IT). Craig works for the old billionaire Mr. Harrigan (Donald Sutherland) for a few years, and they often communicate by phone so that they are able to talk with more ease. Unfortunately, the billionaire dies, but before they bury him, Craig places the phone in his coat — and they will remain in touch beyond the dead.

In the synopses alone, there are a few similar elements, but the tone and how these subjects are approached are very different. It is important to point out that they have very different age ratings, which can directly influence the level of horror and more explicit moments presented on the screen. The Black Phone is a much more grisly, gruesome, and disturbing film.

Similar Themes Between Each Phone

     Universal Pictures  

Both movies have tons of themes in common. Both young male protagonists have lost their mothers and are still dealing with grief and the lack of a parent, however the dad in The Black Phone is abusive while the other is trying his best to keep everything afloat. Both kids are subject to bullying, and there is a lot of violence, physical and psychological, when depicting the bullying and the lack of apparent consequences the bullies have (at least until they are too severe). Both characters deal with loneliness: they don’t have friends (especially in the Netflix movie, because in The Black Phone Finney has a sister he’s close to) or people they feel open to relying upon.

It was a great coincidence that both of the movies explored, through the phone, the idea of being able to have a connection to those who have died. There is also this need of asking people who have passed away for help: one a bit more macabre than the other, but not less important. Finney doesn’t ask the spirits of The Grabber’s other victims to help right away. It makes sense since he actually sees their ghosts and is terrified, and the film ghoulishly displays the remains of the violence they suffer and what awaits Finney if he doesn’t escape. However, since Mr. Harrigan doesn’t appear to Craig at all, it is much easier to ask for help when he is in need.

Another topic that gains very different points of view is the idea of revenge and being able to avenge the dead. The Black Phone deals with revenge as well as stopping the killer from ever committing such crimes again, with the kids who have died taking their revenge in some ways. In Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, the living boy uses the dead to take revenge.

Horror vs Drama in Harrigan’s and Black Phone

It is understandable that whenever something comes from a short story by Stephen King, the horror genre is immediately attached to it. However, in the case of Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The narrative is one of the most optimistic by the author, and the horror moments are short and very scarce. Also, having a PG-13 rating appears to have created a safety net that doesn’t allow the director to go as far into the horror as Scott Derrickson did in The Black Phone.

Both movies are entertaining but for very different reasons. If you are looking for a more disturbing horror that will make you jump out of your seat, then The Black Phone is the one to watch. But if you are looking for a more emotional and dramatic story that has a clear and optimistic message but is not focused on being scary, then Mr. Harrigan’s Phone would be the one to pick. You can dial both up to put you in the mood for Halloween — it’s just a matter of what you want on the other end of the phone.