Is The Black Phone Based on a True Story or Just a Fictional Horror Tale?

2022 saw an unexpected hit movie titled “The Black Phone” that not only became one of the most acclaimed horror films of the year but also raked in impressive box office earnings. Adapted from a short story by author Joe Hill, this film was directed by Scott Derrickson and stars Ethan Hawke as a serial killer known as “The Grabber” in the late 1970s. As “The Black Phone” shifted to streaming platforms, it caught the attention of both new and returning viewers, leaving some questioning whether any part of the story could be based on real events.

The interest in serial killers has been a dark curiosity for many over the years. Given that the movie “The Black Phone” is set during the late 1970s, which was when infamous figures like John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, and David Berkowitz were active, it’s plausible to imagine The Grabber as a character fitting well within this era. However, it’s important to note that the creator of the story upon which “The Black Phone” is based, has clarified that while there are definite source materials for the original film, the upcoming sequel, “Black Phone 2”, is heading in an entirely different direction.

What Is The Black Phone About?

Many Horror Fans Wonder What The Black Phone Is Based On

According to Joe Hill’s 2004 short story, “The Black Phone” revolves around Finney Blake (portrayed by Mason Thames), a 13-year-old character who gets abducted by a villain known as The Grabber (played by Hawke). Finney finds himself imprisoned in a soundproof basement that houses an old, disconnected black rotary phone. The Grabber assures him the phone is useless, but Finney uncovers a peculiar situation where he can connect with past victims through it. Consequently, he teams up with these spectral entities to devise a plan for his escape.

In my view, “The Black Phone” weaves an otherworldly narrative, yet The Grabber is just a typical murderer. This twist enables Finney to leverage the guidance of the killer’s past victims to his advantage, ultimately putting an end to his sinister activities. Similarly, it seems that Finney’s sister possesses supernatural abilities, which aid her in locating her abducted brother. This touch of the supernatural gives a mystical twist to an otherwise realistic horror film. In essence, strip away the ghosts and psychic powers, and you’ll find striking resemblances to numerous real-life killers portrayed in “The Black Phone.

Joe Hill Used Real Serial Killers as Inspiration

John Wayne Gacy Is the Most Obvious Inspiration

In an interview, it was revealed by Hill that while the plot of “The Black Phone” was inspired by serial killers from that period, the story itself is not based on any specific real-life case. Given this information, the connection becomes clear as certain aspects of the story share similarities with infamous killers such as John Wayne Gacy, like The Grabber’s job as a part-time clown – a profession that has made his actions particularly unsettling since Gacy was also known for working as a clown.

In Joe Hill’s short story “The Black Phone,” the character known as The Grabber is a larger man who exploits Finney’s compassion, unlike how kidnappings are depicted in the movie adaptation. This discrepancy showcases how book-to-screen adaptations often alter characters to suit the film’s narrative. Interestingly, The Grabber shares some resemblance with real-life serial killers like John Wayne Gacy, who was well-known for his large build. Another murderer from the same era, Dean Corll, also known as “The Candyman,” was infamous for abducting young teenage boys, whom he then brutally tortured and murdered. Although The Grabber doesn’t mirror Corll’s level of brutality, they share similarities in their own twisted way.

The Black Phone Incorporated the Director’s Childhood

Scott Derrickson’s Own Childhood Made a Big Impact On the Film

After leaving Marvel Studios, Scott Derrickson shifted his attention to “The Black Phone,” a project that required significant modifications to the original short story. He rearranged certain aspects of the narrative to make it more relatable and almost autobiographical in nature. This adaptation was influenced by real-world crimes similar to those portrayed in The Grabber. Working together with co-producer C. Robert Cargill, Derrickson built upon the chilling foundation laid out by Joe Hill’s short story, inspired by Hill’s skillful blend of a haunting ghost story and a tale of resilience and determination. Additionally, Derrickson drew inspiration from his own experiences growing up in Colorado during the 1970s, which included the bullying and abuse suffered by him and his friends.

Derrickson aimed to portray a relatable aspect of past childhood hardships in the movie “The Black Phone,” ensuring it wasn’t excessively brutal. He emphasized that the film is essentially about discovering one’s inner strength and the power of hope. “The Black Phone” is haunting and deeply emotional, but it concludes on a more optimistic note than typical horror films. Hawke delivers an outstanding performance as the villain, marking his first time tackling such a role. Derrickson skillfully blends the despair and isolation of childhood trauma with a narrative of resilience and hope. Although not every aspect of Hill’s story was translated to the screen, the writer collaborated closely with the director on various film aspects, making it a truly joint endeavor. The upcoming sequel to “The Black Phone” will be more unique and independent of any literary foundation, particularly in its handling of The Grabber.

The Black Phone’s Sequel Is Diverting a Lot from Reality

Black Phone 2’s First Sequel Shows a Much More Supernatural Scope

Four years following the initial film, the sequel resumes with events transpiring subsequent to the first movie. Finney has aged, yet remains haunted by The Grabber. This sinister character continues to torment and assault him in dreams. Remarkably, even though it appears he’s deceased, The Grabber menaces Finney directly from beyond the grave with a chilling threat of taking his life. In this continuation, the supernatural aspects introduced in the first movie are expanded upon, as The Grabber himself becomes undeniably otherworldly.

Essentially, The Grabber shares several striking resemblances with Freddy Krueger, a horror movie legend known as a nightmare demon. If this was the intended parallel, it would connect the real-life influences behind these two on-screen murderers. It’s worth noting that Freddy Krueger was influenced by numerous child abuse scandals that surfaced in the 1980s, although the films softened his portrayed attacks until later. Many of these abuse cases were exposed around the same time as Dean Corll and John Wayne Gacy were unmasked.

In essence, the upcoming sequel to “The Black Phone” is enhancing The Grabber character by merging him with elements of Krueger. This upgrade maintains references to his true-life inspirations. Notably, in the original version, Krueger was a local gardener who was well-known among children. Akin to Gacy and Corll’s professions as a clown and a candy man, The Grabber too shares a similar pastime. This clever connection between the villain and real-life terrors subtly amplifies the horror factor while shedding light on genuine fears.

Black Phone 2 releases in theaters on October 17, 2025.

2025-06-05 03:06