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Netflix has a lot of films coming to the streamer in February 2026, but the one that caught our eye is a movie I’ve seen once before.
In 2021, Sinister director Scott Derrickson helmed and cowrote The Black Phone, an adaptation of Joe Hill‘s short story from 2004.
This was Derrickson’s horror comeback after a brief stint in the MCU with Doctor Strange. It’s also one of the best in its genre from the last decade.
On behalf of Watch With Us, The Black Phone is my pick for the one new-to-Netflix movie I can’t wait to watch again.
Ethan Hawke Is Terrifying in ‘The Black Phone’
This film is set in the late ’70s, and Ethan Hawke is the most prominent member of the cast. Hawke plays the Grabber, a serial killer who mercilessly preys on kids by kidnapping and murdering them. It’s not enough for the Grabber to kill; he has to torture his victims psychologically and physically as well. The most impressive part of Hawke’s performance is how convincing he is in the role. He genuinely comes across as menacing.
The Grabber’s half-face mask does go a long way towards creating the illusion that Hawke is a child-killing monster. But the mask wouldn’t work if the performance wasn’t there as well. Hawke’s eyes, his physical movements and his creepy voice are absolutely essential. The Grabber may live in the 20th century, but he’s also one of the most disturbing new characters in horror.
‘The Black Phone’ Has a Very Talented Young Cast
Madeleine McGraw and Mason Thames in The Black Phone. Fred Norris / © Universal Pictures / courtesy Everett Collection
Mason Thames made his theatrical debut with this film, and he’s since gone on to become a bigger star, including his leading role in the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon. That’s not surprising considering Thames’ performance in this movie as Finney Blake, the latest victim of the Grabber. Thames makes Finney believable as a child from his era, as well as a survivor who is willing to do whatever it takes to escape from the Grabber.
Thames’ on-screen younger sister, Madeleine McGraw, is also terrific as Gwen Blake. McGraw and Thames have a good on-screen rapport in their scenes together, and Gwen emerges as the secondary protagonist in the film. She couldn’t save her brother from his bullies, but her psychic dreams may be able to help Finney get home. Like Thames, McGraw has since gone on to bigger roles, including the sequel to this film.
The Movie Is Genuinely Scary
We’d be remiss if we didn’t give young performers Tristan Pravong and Jacob Moran their due as well. They play Bruce and Billy, respectively, both of whom were previous victims of the Grabber. The supernatural twist in this story is that Bruce, Billy and the rest of the Grabber’s victims can communicate with Finney through the black phone found in the Grabber’s basement.
It’s a brilliant touch, both for the way it links the ghosts to Finney and the implication that no one has ever been spared by the Grabber. Hawke’s character keeps playing his games to torment Finney, but he’s the one victim who has any knowledge about how to fight back, thanks to these voices from beyond the grave. And if Finney can’t use that to his advantage and escape, then his voice will simply be added to the chorus of victims.
The Black Phone will stream on Netflix on February 12.
