Some connections never die.|Oct. 05, 2022|USA|105 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Horror
Description: “Mr. Harrigan’s Phone” is a 2022 American horror film written and directed by John Lee Hancock, based on the novella of the same name by Stephen King from the collection “If It Bleeds.” The film features an ensemble cast, including Donald Sutherland, Jaeden Martell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Joe Tippett, Cyrus Arnold, and Carl Zohan. It was released on Netflix on October 5, 2022.
The story follows a young boy named Craig, who forms a friendship with an elderly man, Mr. Harrigan. Craig gifts Mr. Harrigan a cell phone, and after Mr. Harrigan passes away, Craig begins making calls to his old number. To his surprise, those who torment him face consequences, as Mr. Harrigan’s spirit seemingly seeks revenge from beyond the grave.
The project was announced on July 10, 2020, when Netflix acquired the film rights. Produced by Blumhouse Productions and Ryan Murphy, the film began casting in October 2021, with Sutherland and Martell in leading roles. Filming took place in Connecticut from October 20 to December 22, 2021.
Critics had mixed reactions to the film. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 33% approval rating based on 15 reviews, with an average score of 5.3/10. Brian Costello of Common Sense Media awarded it 4/5 stars, describing it as more of a coming-of-age story than a horror-thriller, reflecting on the impact of smartphones. Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter critiqued the film for lacking the necessary scares to be memorable, while Bill Goodykoontz of the Arizona Republic praised its character-driven narrative, awarding it 4/5 stars. Eric Eisenberg of CinemaBlend, however, gave it 2/5 stars, calling it a dull attempt to blend drama and supernatural horror.
Overall, “Mr. Harrigan’s Phone” is a thought-provoking tale exploring themes of friendship, revenge, and the influence of technology, though it struggles to fully commit to its horror roots.
Cast director: John Lee Hancock
Cast actor: Donald Sutherland, Jaeden Martell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Cyrus Arnold, Thomas Francis Murphy, Joe Tippett, Caitlin Shorey, Iván Amaro Bullón
Original name: Mr. Harrigan’s Phone