
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).
More like this

White Bird (2023)
In the sequel to Wonder (2017), former bully Julian is struggling at his new school, until a visit from his grandmother offers perspective.

Flight Risk (2025)
On a small plane, a US Marshal escorts a government witness, but the pilot (Mark Wahlberg) turns out to be an assassin.

Anora leads 10 sex workers who break the pole
No shame in the game! Mikey Madison on how Oscar winner Anora dodged sex worker stereotypes to join the ranks of our favourite on-screen hustlers.

Anora (2024)
An Oscar-winning romantic drama that follows a young sex worker who marries the son of an oligarch. Life is good, until the news reaches Russia...

Joker: Folie a Deux (2024)
Awaiting trial at Arkhem, Arthur Fleck, aka the Joker, not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that's always been inside him.

Babes (2024)
Childhood best friends Eden and Dawn face different phases of life when Eden decides to have a baby on her own.

MaXXXine (2024)
In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star Maxine Minx finally gets her big break - as a killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood.

Lee (2023)
Oscar winner Kate Winslet stars in Lee, the true story of legendary World War II photographer Elizabeth “Lee” Miller.
SA celebs open up about divorce on Untied
Youngins S3, coming soon to Showmax
More of the best movies to stream

Ten Pound Poms S2
In post-war Britain, a group of families resettle in Australia, promised a life of plenty - but find it more challenging than they ever expected.

Kate and Annie take charge in Ten Pound Poms Season 2
Michelle Keegan (Kate) and Faye Marsay (Annie) take us back to Australia in 1957 as Annie starts a bikini revolution, and Kate lets her hair down.

Tracking Thabo Bester
A documentary about the convicted murderer and rapist who did not die in Cell 35 but was instead seen shopping in Sandton City. Two episodes 15 March, final episodes 22 March on Showmax.

White Bird (2023)
In the sequel to Wonder (2017), former bully Julian is struggling at his new school, until a visit from his grandmother offers perspective.
Latest Stories

Kate and Annie take charge in Ten Pound Poms Season 2

Vilakazi's verdict: Sundowns to "edge it" in high-stakes MTN8 semi-final

Rivalries reignite in thrilling Premier League games on Showmax

5 patients you’ll meet in The Pitt Season 1

Palesa Mphaki on being Married at First Sight, her husband and more

5 new reality shows on Showmax in August

The Big 6ix on new Premier League season and their SA adventure

Will anyone stop the champs? Booth on Downs' quest for a 9th title

The curtain rises: Wembley Showdown - LFC vs Crystal Palace

Showmax Premier League weekly watchlist: 19-25 August 2025

Showmax PL kicks off football fiesta with MTN8 quarter-finals

Melissa Kape Saili tips Morocco to win WAFCON final

Must-watch trailer: upcoming Showmax reality show Vaal Riviera

Showmax PL kicks off new football season with unmatched action

Shaka iLembe's Dawn Thandeka King on Untied

Giants: Buccaneers' untold story streams live on Showmax PL

Ugochi Oparanozie backs Nigeria to overcome Banyana Banyana

Director Jasyn Howes on true-crime documentary The ABC Killer

Get Ready for the PL Summer Series – live on Showmax

Nthabeleng Modiko backs reigning champions for WAFCON glory

Felix Hlophe on his comedy special, fat jokes, sex and cheating

Everyone Else Burns and 8 more cult classics

Binge five of the 10 biggest Emmy nominees on Showmax

Dangerous minds in The Institute + 7 more superpowered series