14 August 2023

The Black Phone (2021)

Set in the late 1970s, The Black Phone stars four-time Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke (The Northman, Before Midnight) in the most disturbing role of his career as a sadistic killer who kidnaps Finney, a shy but clever 13-year-old boy.

Trapped in a soundproof basement where screaming is of little use, Finney finds a lifeline when a disconnected phone on the wall begins to ring and he discovers that he can hear the voices of the killer's previous victims, who are dead set on making sure that what happened to them doesn't happen to Finney.

Produced by Oscar-nominated horror legend Jason Blum (Get Out, The Invisible Man), The Black Phone was the third highest-grossing horror film of 2022, with an 83% critics' rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

As Finney, rising star Mason Thames won at this year’s Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, where young fan-favourite Madeleine McGraw (Young Hope in Ant-Man and the Wasp ) beat Hawke for Best Supporting Performance.

Based on a short story by Stephen King’s son, award-winning author Joe Hill (Heart-Shaped Box, NOS4A2), The Black Phone also won the 2023 Chainsaw Award for Best Wide-release Film, as well as Best Screenplay for C Robert Cargill and co-writer and director Scott Derrickson, the team behind Marvel’s Doctor Strange and the Sinister movies. The Black Phone was also nominated for 2023 Critics' Choice Super Awards for Best Horror Movie and Best Actor in a Horror Movie (Hawke).

Watch it now

More of the best movies to stream

BBNaija 10/10: Road to finale

Big Brother Naija Season 10 has been packed with drama and many surprises. With only 9 Housemates left, catch the finale live on Showmax this Sunday.

Made in Nigeria

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City S6 on Showmax

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City S5-6

Follow the hidden social circle made up of successful Utah women who have created their own paradise filled with luxury homes and shopping sprees.

First

Catch the fiery battle between Chelsea and Liverpool live on Showmax Premier League

The Premier League canvas: a Saturday masterpiece painted in blue and red

Catch all the action from the Chelsea v Liverpool game live on Showmax Premier League on Saturday, 4 October at 18:30.

LiveMade in South Africa

Horror countdown: 31 days of Halloween

Get ready for Showmax's epic countdown to Halloween this October. From supernatural thrills to chilling horrors, there's something for everyone.Stream now on Showmax.