Blumhouse's upcoming horror film, The Black Phone, starring Ethan Hawke has delayed its release date to summer 2022. Directed and co-written by Scott Derrickson, the movie serves as an adaptation of the 2004 short story of the same name by novelist Joe Hill. Set in the 1970s, it follows the abduction of a young boy by the serial killer known as The Grabber. After finding himself trapped inside of a soundproofed basement with nothing but a disconnected phone, he discovers it has the ability to transmit the voices of his kidnapper's previous victims, who use it as a means to help him escape. The film stars Mason Thames as the young victim, Finney Shaw, and Ethan Hawke as The Grabber, with Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies, and James Ransone featured as well.
Derrickson, known for films such as Sinister and Marvel's Doctor Strange, partnered with screenwriter C. Robert Cargill to make The Black Phone shortly after announcing his departure from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The Black Phone's initial release date was set for January 28, 2022 before getting pushed back a week to February 4. After premiering at Fantastic Fest in September, the film received early praise from critics, which has led to growing anticipation from fans of the director's work, as well as Blumhouse's other horror productions, surrounding its eventual release.
Now, Variety reports that Universal Pictures has delayed The Black Phone's release to June 24, 2022. Though the reasons behind this decision are unclear, the move does limit the film's competition. By pushing its release to June 24, The Black Phone will be up against Warner Bros.' biopic, Elvis, where it may fare better results.
Typically, horror movies associated with early in the year releases, tend to perform poorly, and with the box office having been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, a later release date could serve Derrickson's film well. Positive reviews will attract audiences and a current master of horror, Mike Flanagan, has praised The Black Phone, stating that it is exceptionally crafted and terrifying. Other early reactions echo his sentiment, with film critics highlighting its faithfulness to Hill's story, in addition to Derrickson's direction and the performances of its cast, particularly Hawke's frightening antagonist.
Blumhouse's newest production is not the first project to have its release date delayed for the upcoming year. In fact, there have been a number of film releases that have been pushed back for unknown reasons, though with the vast amount of movies coming out since the pandemic halted productions, a hope of making a profit is among the most speculated. Fans of horror and Derrickson's filmography will just have to wait a little longer to see The Black Phone, when it eventually hits theaters this coming summer.
Source: Variety