In The Black Phone, The Grabber abducts six victims — here's a breakdown of who they are and everything the movie reveals about them. At the opening of The Black Phone, only three boys have been abducted by The Grabber, with abductions four and five quickly following, ultimately culminating in Finney being the final victim taken by The Grabber. Information surrounding these previous victims is communicated to the protagonist Finney through the titular phone, which sits in The Grabber's basement. Though The Grabber tells Finney the phone doesn't work, he begins to hear it ringing and, when he answers it, he hears the voices of The Grabber's former victims.
With their collective help, Finney is able to get the upper hand and kill The Grabber. While Finney is the protagonist of the movie, The Black Phone is almost more of an ensemble film because The Grabber's former victims play such a key role in his demise. The ending of The Black Phone makes it clear that Finney's success is a product of the other five boys' efforts to help him escape and stop The Grabber from hurting more innocents. Individually, each character doesn't have a lot of screen time, but their stories make up the bulk of the film, collectively. Here's everything The Black Phone reveals about The Grabber's victims.
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Finney - The Protagonist
Finney (Mason Thames) is the main character of the movie and easily the character who gets the most screen time. Finney has a confidence problem, is bullied at school, and deals with an abusive alcoholic father at home. He's extremely close with his sister, Gwen, has a crush on a girl in his class named Donna, and pitches a mean baseball. Of all the victims, only Finney hears the Black Phone ring, and he's the only one to escape with his life.
Finney is able to kill The Grabber at the end of The Black Phone by making use of all the advice given to him by the five other boys who he talks to through the Black Phone. When he returns to school at the end of the film, he's undergone some catharsis and has become more confident. The bullies have disappeared, and he's able to talk to Donna, asking her to call him "Finn."
Bruce - The Baseball Rival
The Black Phone opens with Finney pitching against Bruce (Tristan Pravong) who is up at-bat. He strikes twice before hitting the ball out of the park and getting a home run. However, while he initially seems to be gloating, he proves that he is actually a good sport. When he and Finney shake hands after the game, Bruce tells him that he has "a mint arm."
The mask-wearing The Grabber takes Bruce sometime after the baseball game while Bruce is riding his bike. It isn't entirely clear how long The Grabber keeps him in his basement, but by the time he's able to call Finney on the Black Phone, he's lost a lot of his memory, not even being able to conjure up his own name. He keeps repeating his assertion that Finney has "a mint arm" and ends the call by telling him that there's a loose tile in the basement hallway that he should lift up and dig under.
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Billy - The Paperboy
Not too much is revealed about Billy (Jacob Moran) in The Black Phone. He prefers to be called the paperboy as, like Bruce, he's lost his name. The Grabber took him while he was out delivering newspapers on his bike. Given that The Black Phone is an adaptation of a short story, many characters in the film don't appear in the original source, so it makes sense that not much is known of Billy. He reveals to Finney a hidden cord he can use to try and get up to the basement window by threading it through the bars that are attached there. He also warns Finney to not go upstairs when The Grabber leaves the basement door ajar, telling him it's a trap.
Griffin - The Escape Artist
Griffin (Banks Repeta) is the second victim to contact Finney and it is revealed that he was a paperboy who was taken by The Grabber while working his route. It is never revealed how Griffin is able to learn the combination to the padlock on The Grabber's front door but, afraid that he might forget it, he carves the numbers into a concrete wall in the basement. Griffin is one of the most helpful of The Black Phone's ghosts as he reveals to Finney that The Grabber has fallen asleep, and Finney has a chance to escape out the front door which nearly works.
Vance - The Bully
The Black Phone's Grabber isn't supernatural, but he's definitely super-violent and super-cruel. He plays games with his victims, finding ways to label them "naughty" so he can punish them as he sees fit. Vance (Brady Hepner) might have been the easiest victim of this list to call naughty: he was foul-mouthed, rude, and started fights at the drop of a hat. He was an angry kid who bullied others. Still, his aggression serves Finney well when he tells him about the hole he made in the wall across from the toilet in the basement. Learning that is one step closer to freedom for Finney.
Robin - The Best Friend
Finney has two friends in The Black Phone: his sister Gwen and The Grabber's fifth victim, Robin (Miguel Cazarez Mora). Robin sticks up for Finney and was also the toughest kid in school after Bruce was taken by The Grabber. He's the last victim to contact Finney through the Black Phone, and his advice is pretty simple: stand up to The Grabber and use the phone as a weapon. He gives him some fighting tips and a pep talk about how Finney could always take a punch.
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Robin represents Finney's confidence. When he tells Donna to call him Finn, it's a name he wears as a reminder of what Robin called him. Robin believed in Finney when Finney couldn't — a cornerstone of their friendship. The Black Phone is a unique horror movie because of its focus on the victims of its villains. Part of why The Black Phone is getting such positive reviews is because of how it handles its themes of victimhood, violence against children, and standing up to aggressors. The Black Phone does an impressive job of highlighting not only its villain, but also his victims — and that makes for a fresh and interesting watch.
The Grabber Is Inspired By Many True Events
While The Black Phone isn't based on a true story, it is inspired by some very real events. The Grabber himself does draw certain serial killer parallels. Such as John Wayne Gacy, who dressed as a clown and often lured young boys to his home. Or even Albert Fish, who was also known for abducting young children. However, Ethan Hawke's killer isn't really based on a specific person, like how Texas Chainsaw Massacre's Leatherface is based on Ed Gein. Writer/Director Scott Derrickson reveals that the events of the film, despite being an adaptation of a short story, are actually based on real events he experienced while growing up (supernatural elements aside).
In an interview (via news.com.au), Derrickson spoke about his harrowing upbringing north of Denver, Colorado. The time in which he grew up was rife with conflict and a sense of unease, as it was right after the murders of Ted Bundy and the Manson family. He also mentions that at the time, there was a lot of bullying happening among children, and it wasn't uncommon to get beaten up or encounter physical violence at school.
Derrickson, director of several previous horror movies, recalls, "I grew up in an area of north Denver that was pretty violent, a lot of bullying, a lot of fighting, a lot of kids were bleeding all the time. It was also right after Ted Bundy had come through Colorado, killing people. And the Manson murders had just happened." This overwhelming sense of dread that seasons The Black Phone over the Grabber's hold on the town definitively parallels Derrickson's experience growing up in such a day and age.
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In the same interview, Scott Derrickson also tells of a tragedy that happened with his next-door neighbor, "When I was eight years old, my friend next door came knocking at my front door and said, 'Somebody murdered my mum'. The mother of my friend next door was murdered. And there was a lot of domestic violence, even in my own home and in the homes of a lot of these kids that I knew."
Making The Black Phone reportedly helped Derrickson cope with his own past, and the blending of the short story with his own upbringing fostered a truly creepy and dread-inducing horror film. So, while there's no single event or serial killer that inspired The Grabber, the danger and misery he represents and is inspired by are very much real.
It's Unknown How The Grabber Chooses His Victims
Even with all The Grabber's victims in the movie identified, there is nothing that connects them or suggests a pattern to explain The Grabber's victims. In fact, the movie purposely reveals nothing about The Grabber, making him even more unsettling as a horror movie villain. The brief suggestion given about his life beyond being The Grabber is the fact that he lets his brother Max (James Ransone) crash at his house. However, any theory that this humanizes The Grabber evaporates when he kills Max without hesitation or emotion. While backstory and motivation can make villains more compelling, The Grabber feels like the embodiment of evil which adds to the terror of The Black Phone and makes Finney that much more of a hero for overcoming him.
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FAQs
How many victims did The Grabber have in The Black Phone? ›
In The Black Phone, The Grabber abducts six victims — here's a breakdown of who they are and everything the movie reveals about them.
What happened to the grabbers victims in The Black Phone? ›For reasons unknown, the Grabber abducts young boys and imprisons them in his basement unbeknownst to his brother. He would eventually kill the boys and bury the bodies in a house across the street. He had killed a total of five children, with Finney Blake's friends Bruce and Robin being his latest victims.
Who got taken by The Grabber in The Black Phone? ›Griffin (Banks Repeta) is the second victim to contact Finney and it is revealed that he was a paperboy who was taken by The Grabber while working his route.
Is Max the grabbers brother? ›There's also the fact that the Grabber's brother, Max (James Ransone), is a drug addict, which we could connect to the same abusive childhood. And if the Grabber was locked in a basement just as his victims, there could even be a twisted calling for the killer to help children to be well-behaved.
Who were the Grabber victims? ›- Bruce Yamada - Kidnapped & Murdered Offscreen.
- Billy Showalter - Kidnapped & Murdered Offscreen.
- Griffin Stagg - Kidnapped & Murdered Offscreen.
- "Pinball" Vance Hopper - Kidnapped & Murdered Offscreen.
- Robin Arellano - Kidnapped &, you guessed it, Murdered Offscreen.
- Max - Axed in head by The Grabber.
There are many different people doing their own thing during The Black Phone. First, we have Hawke's Grabber, a serial killer with a sick taste for young boys who has already kidnapped and killed at least three children by the time the movie starts.
Why did The Grabber cover his face? ›Instead, The Grabber employs the mask as a sort of theater — the different Grabber mask variations each represent characters in a show he's putting on for himself and his victims. A few scenes in The Black Phone suggest yet another motivation for his mask: he uses it to hide from himself out of shame for his actions.
How old were the grabbers victims? ›Victims. The Grabber targeted young children in their preteen years, his youngest victim was eleven years old. After the murder of Griffin Stagg, his victims were all at least thirteen years of age.
Who did The Grabber kidnap first? ›Who was the first victim? The Grabber's first victim was a kid named Billy Showalter, who used to deliver the daily newspaper. We don't get to know much more about Billy other than this. It appears he was a harmless kid, and the Grabber snatched him, took him to the basement and killed him.
Why did The Grabber hear the phone? ›Finney hears the phone ring and uses it as a coping mechanism to deal with his overbearing feelings of isolation and desperation. To somehow make sense of his harrowing situation and map out an effective escape plan, it is possible that he imagines being guided by the spirits of the killer's dead victims.
How did Max figure out his brother was The Grabber? ›
Shockingly, he was also The Grabber's brother and was unaware Finney was in the soundproof cellar. Yet, by looking at the map he made, Max was clued in to check the basement. Had Max found the van or learned his brother wasn't working, this would have added up.
Is Black Phone based on a true story? ›The scary recent movie The Black Phone may be based on Joe Hill's story, but it's also inspired by true stories from the director and the '70s. The Black Phone was a hit horror feature film made by Blumhouse in 2022.
Who kills The Grabber? ›The Black Phone ending explained a note of finality, with Finney killing the Grabber with the help of his victims.
What is the grabbers brother name? ›All we know for certain is that he's got a (now-deceased) brother named Max (played by James Ransone) and a steak-loving dog named Samson.
Why does The Grabber kidnap kids? ›One of the ghosts tells Finney that The Grabber likes to play a game called "Naughty Boy." He wants boys to break the rules so he can beat them so hard that they pass out. Since Finney isn't playing the game, he's been able to survive.
Who survived The Grabber? ›The Black Phone ending explained: How Finney escapes The Grabber - Dexerto. Trending TV, movie and anime news, plus reviews and analysis.
What did The Grabber do to Finney? ›The Grabber doesn't hurt Finney but tells the boy he will be harmed if he tries to escape. Finney is trapped but when the Grabber seemingly forgets to lock the basement door, he decides to go against his previous warning and escape. Just as Finney is about to make a run for it, the black phone rings.
Who is Robin from The Black Phone? ›Miguel Cazarez Mora: Robin
Jump to: Quotes (3)
Robin was placed in the soundproof basement by The Grabber and was subsequently killed by him.
How scary is black phone? ›It's a solid, visceral thriller, albeit one that's full of peril and violence involving young teens. There are scenes of brutal, bloody bullying, including bashing a head with a rock, use of a switchblade, punching, kicking, martial arts, and face-punching.
What is black phone based on? ›
The Black Phone is a 2021 American supernatural horror film directed by Scott Derrickson and written by Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill, who both produced with Jason Blum. It is an adaptation of the 2004 short story of the same name by Joe Hill.
What trauma does The Grabber have? ›It's mentioned that the room The Grabber uses to harbor his victims is from his childhood. Abuse is often cyclical, and the script indicates The Grabber's actions are a result of his own unhealed trauma after having been a victim of abuse himself.
Is there going to be a Black Phone 2? ›Summer 2024 is therefore probably the very earliest we can expect to see a new Black Phone film, but we'll keep you updated should things become more clear.
Who made The Grabber mask? ›The Grabber dons several creepy devil masks throughout films, each exposing different portions of his face. The mask was designed by legendary prosthetic makeup artist and filmmaker Tom Savini, and Derrickson knew straight away that he was on to a winner.
Who was kidnapped as a child found 51 years later still in Fort Worth? ›Melissa Highsmith was just 22 months old in 1971 when she was kidnapped by a babysitter from her parents' Fort Worth home. Here's a Christmas miracle — after years of searching, a Fort Worth family has found their long-lost daughter and sister 51 years after she was kidnapped.
How old is Bruce in The Black Phone? ›Bruce's age becomes uncertain as his date of birth is confirmed to be June 12, 1963, while his disappearance poster says he is 15 years old. Although, this could have been a production error, so his age could be 15.
Did The Grabber stab Robin? ›Robin Arellano - Killed by The Grabber off-screen. Revived as a ghost. Ten Frogs - Killed off-screen by unknown means and dissected in a science class. Max Shaw - Struck in the back of the skull by the Grabber with an axe.
Who was Griffin in The Black Phone? ›The Black Phone (2021) - Banks Repeta as Griffin - IMDb.
Is The Grabber evil? ›His Evil Ranking
He abducted five teenagers and imprisoned them in his basement behind his brother's back, before killing them and burying them in the house across the street.
Alas, he doesn't have much time to help, as The Grabber soon arrives on the scene and instantly kills his brother via the rather vicious method of an axe to the head.
How did Max find Finney? ›
While this happens, Max comes to the conclusion that the missing kids are in the house he is staying in – because The Grabber is his brother. He goes to the basement and is shocked to find Finney there. Just as Max attempts to help, The Grabber kills him with an axe to the head.
Who is Billy in The Black Phone? ›The Black Phone (2021) - Jacob Moran as Billy - IMDb.
What kind of dog is in The Black Phone? ›Samson (the dog) is a Cane Corso. Ethan Hawke went as his character The Grabber for Halloween in 2022.
How old is Finney in The Black Phone? ›Thirteen-year-old Finney is an insecure suburban kid with a spunky younger sister, Gwen, and an alcoholic father.
Why did Joe Hill change his name? ›Career. Hill chose to use an abbreviated form of his middle name for his professional surname in 1997, out of a desire to succeed based solely on his own merits rather than as the son of one of the world's best-selling and most-recognized living novelists.
Is The Grabber a good guy? ›He just happened to have some misguided motivations. But The Grabber is an outright villain. He's a demon of sorts; a man possessed and a broken human being, which is a little different for me … I've been finding playing villains more interesting.”
What is the grabbers backstory? ›The Grabber is on the prowl in late 1970s Colorado, and he preys on “all-American” boys, luring them into his black van before locking them in a dark, austere basement, playing a “game” with them, and murdering them.
Where is grabbers set? ›A comedy horror set on a fictional Irish island, Grabbers centres around two police officers, one charming and slightly alcoholic (played by Richard Coyle), the other straight laced and slightly workaholic (newcomer Ruth Bradley), who are left in charge for the weekend and end up falling in love…
Is the Grabber a magician? ›Scott Derrickson's “The Black Phone” introduces the latest in a long line of iconic Universal Studios horror characters with the Grabber, a sadistic serial killer and part-time magician who wears a set of unsettlingly dynamic devil masks.
How old is Ethan Hawke? ›Who is Max The Black Phone? ›
James Ransone As Max - The Grabber's brother. Ransone is known for his roles in IT Chapter Two and Sinister.
How many masks does the Grabber have in The Black Phone? ›The Grabber mask set includes three switchable mouthpieces as featured in the terrifying film.
Does the Grabber in black phone have multiple personalities? ›He's a terrifying visage of trauma, and he's entirely unpredictable, as evidenced when director Scott Derrickson told TIME, "He really buries his moods behind the mask and, to me, there's almost some kind of multiple personality disorder going on there." That idea of multiple personalities existing within one body ...
Why did the Grabber cover his face? ›Instead, The Grabber employs the mask as a sort of theater — the different Grabber mask variations each represent characters in a show he's putting on for himself and his victims. A few scenes in The Black Phone suggest yet another motivation for his mask: he uses it to hide from himself out of shame for his actions.
Where were the Grabber victims buried in The Black Phone? ›In one house, the dead bodies of the boys that “The Grabber” kidnapped were buried in man-made graves in the basement. In the other house, Finney was being kept in the soundproof basement where the rest of the boys were trapped before they were killed.
What level is black mask? ›Q: Is there a difference in protection between the blue surgical mask and the black face mask? They're both level 3.
Where are the 3 white masks? ›All three Nameless White Mask NPC invaders are in the Mohgwyn Palace underground region.
How many kids did The Grabber take? ›In the movie, we learn The Grabber kidnapped five children before Finney: Bruce, Billy, Griffin, Vance, and Robin, the latter of whom is a close friend of Finney.
Why did the Grabber kidnap boys? ›One of the ghosts tells Finney that The Grabber likes to play a game called "Naughty Boy." He wants boys to break the rules so he can beat them so hard that they pass out. Since Finney isn't playing the game, he's been able to survive.
Who kills the Grabber? ›The Black Phone ending explained a note of finality, with Finney killing the Grabber with the help of his victims.
What trauma does the Grabber have? ›
It's mentioned that the room The Grabber uses to harbor his victims is from his childhood. Abuse is often cyclical, and the script indicates The Grabber's actions are a result of his own unhealed trauma after having been a victim of abuse himself.
Is Vance related to The Grabber? ›Vance Hopper was one of The Grabber's victims. He was a former bully and considered the strongest boy in Finney's school before his disappearance. He loved playing pinball at the nearby grab´n go. He soon on died from his abducter.