Craig, a young boy living in a small town befriends an older, reclusive billionaire, Mr. Harrigan. The two form a bond over books and an iPhone, but when the man passes away the boy discovers that not everything dead is gone.
Released: 2022-10-05
Runtime: 105 minutes
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thrillers
Stars: Donald Sutherland, Jaeden Martell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Cyrus Arnold, Thomas Francis Murphy, Joe Tippett, Caitlin Shorey, Iván Amaro Bullón, Conor William Wright, Alexa Shae Niziak, Bennett Saltzman, Joseph Paul Kennedy, Thalia Torio, Colin O'Brien, Leo Kennedy, Peggy J. Scott, Daniel Reece, Frank Ridley, Wayne Pyle
Director: John Lee Hancock
Comments
trinaboice - 18 November 2023 It's a very slow burn. IN A NUTSHELL:
When Mr. Harrigan dies, Craig, the teen who befriended and did odd jobs for him, puts his smartphone in the old man's pocket before burial. When the lonely youth sends his dead friend a message, he is shocked to get a return text.
This unnerving film was directed by John Lee Hancock and based on a short novella written by Stephen King.
THINGS I LIKED:
That cast is blessed by two fantastic actors: Donald Sutherland and Jaeden Martell. I loved watching their interplay and hearing their sensitive conversations about life and books.
The story takes its time studying the two main characters in very dramatic fashion. It's intriguing to see two very different personalities at opposite ends of their lives.
I liked the use of a narrator to lead us along the journey.
If you follow Stephen King, you can see his Tweet on October 12, 2022 where he reveals what the mysterious texts from the grave spell out!
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
The weakness in the film is that people see Stephen King's name attached to it and assume it will be another brilliant horror. It's not really a horror, although there are some supernatural forces at work. The other weakness is that the supernatural forces are never explained and we're left with shrugging shoulders. There are many unanswered questions.
It's a very slow burn.
TIPS FOR PARENTS:
Kids will probably be bored waiting for something to "happen."
Bullying is portrayed
Some "mild" profanity.
.
deloudelouvain - 19 July 2023 Not a bad adaptation of a Stephen King book. Donald Sutherland is 88 and still acting. Some people would just think it is time to stop and relax a bit but in his case he's still doing well. Jaeden Martell, the other main actor, has a very Pottery look if I can say so. If Daniel Radcliffe ever needs a brother to play in a movie look no further. Both lead actors did well, pleasant to watch, believable in their roles. As for the story, that is based on a short story from Stephen King, you can guess it's a bit weird but certainly not bad. For sure not the worst adaptation of a King book. I wouldn't categorize this movie as a horror though, more a mystery/drama. There was absolute no horror in Mr. Harrigan's Phone.
tkovats-882-468126 - 28 March 2023 Good story amazing cast great script and life lessons This movie was amazing I loved it. This is one of my favorite movies . This film has 1 or 2 jump scares . This movie was really good because Mr. Harrigan tells life lessons and there are so many good themes but ... This can get a bit scary for kids under the age of 9 but otherwise this is fine and very good the script and story was good too. The only scary scene was when Mr. Harrigan calls Craig even though Mr. Harrigan past away so this movie does contain some Sh**s and some Hells but the language is not to bad . In conclusion this movie is good for people above the age of 9 and this is a movie for everyone .
cahidi - 30 December 2022 C C C st For a horror flick, I'd have to give this movie a thumbs down. Cause it only gave me mild terror. Which is not good if you're trying to make a horror flick. But I think this movie is meant more as a drama. Cause that's the vibe I'm getting from it. It's drowning in a pool of loneliness. Sutherland is the perfect Mr. Harrigan. Seems cold and cruel, but as you got to know him, you'll find him a kind person beneath that steel mask. Jaeden played Craig very well also. He has that innocent-boy-who-got-tempted-by-the-dark-side persona. Overall, this movie was done pretty well. Definitely worth your time.
radhrh - 10 December 2022 Bog standard Steven King If you like Steven King then you're sure to like Mr. Harrigan's Phone. It has all the usual elements of a SK storyline; set in small town Maine, young boy growing up, high school trauma, a what if scenario. It's lazy writing in the extreme and even attempts to pep up an otherwise dull script with passages from far more talented authors. Plagerism? It's inoffensive and moderately entertaining which makes it a highlight in Netflix's line up. Donald Sutherland plays the eponymous Mr. Harrigan and his scenes lift the movie somewhat, if not for his involvement this movie would be yet another by the numbers King adaptation.
drakothedragon - 14 November 2022 Very book accurate I read the book before I watched this, and I was pleasantly surprised with its accuracy. I was concerned that it would follow in the footsteps of other films based-off of books and be completely different, yet I was luckily proven incorrect.
Now, I might be misremembering, as it has been a long while since I read the short story, but the P. S message in Mr. Harrigan's letter to Craig was a chilling detail that I do not remember in the book. I personally believe that movies based off-of books are free to add details that were not in the source material as long as it doesn't take away from said source material. The pose of Kenny's corpse matching Craig's when he was laying injured on the ground is another example of something not in the book, but in the movie.
To conclude, this was a very good film, and I recommend people who enjoy more subtle horror (and Stephen King fans) to give it a watch.
saysjenn - 4 November 2022 Excellent Psychological Paranormal Thriller! I recommend this movie to anyone that likes supernatural thrillers, psychological thrillers, and/or cerebral and thought provoking entertainment.
When I saw it was rated PG-13 I knew it wasn't going to be a gore fest and it was not. It's a coming of age story about a boy who befriends a reclusive billionaire. Donald Sutherland has to be one of my favorite character actors and he really was excellent. I loved the synergy between him and the boy.
The story is spooky and classic Stephen King. If you are looking for super scary this may not be your movie. If you enjoy this movie I suggest his new book called Fairytale, it's also a coming of age story about a kid who befriends a lonely old man.