The Black Phone (2021) delivers chilling suspense with a supernatural twist, as a kidnapped boy communicates with the ghosts of the Grabber’s past victims through a mysterious, disconnected phone. Anchored by Ethan Hawke’s unsettling performance, this psychological horror-thriller is as haunting as it is gripping.
Think you caught all the clues, scares, and spectral signals? Pick up the line — this 10-question trivia quiz will test if you were truly paying attention… or just trying to survive.
The Black Phone (2021) Trivia Questions & Answers
Here are the correct answers and detailed insights for The Black Phone (2021) — a chilling and emotionally resonant horror film that explores trauma, resilience, and supernatural justice.
1) Who plays the role of the Grabber in The Black Phone (2021)?
Correct Answer: Ethan Hawke
Ethan Hawke takes on one of his darkest roles as the Grabber — a sadistic child abductor and killer. His performance is terrifyingly restrained and menacing, with unsettling charisma and eerie calmness that set him apart from typical horror villains.
2) What is the name of the boy kidnapped by the Grabber?
Correct Answer: Finney
Finney Blake, a shy but intelligent teenager, is kidnapped and locked in a basement. His transformation from terrified victim to resourceful survivor forms the emotional and narrative core of the film.
3) What supernatural element helps Finney communicate with past victims?
Correct Answer: A disconnected black phone
Though it’s unplugged, the black rotary phone in the Grabber’s basement rings mysteriously. Through it, Finney receives calls from the spirits of the Grabber’s previous victims — boys who didn’t make it but are desperate to help him escape.
4) Who is Finney’s brave and psychic younger sister?
Correct Answer: Gwen
Gwen, played by Madeleine McGraw, has vivid dreams that seem to offer clues about the Grabber’s identity and the whereabouts of her brother. Her fierce determination and emotional strength add a vital layer to the story, and her psychic visions become key to the investigation.
5) What decade is the film set in?
Correct Answer: 1970s
The film is set in a gritty, suburban 1970s neighborhood — a time before cell phones and digital tracking. The retro setting enhances the story’s isolation and dread while grounding it in a time of rising fear about real-life serial predators.
6) What does the Grabber wear to hide his identity?
Correct Answer: A disturbing mask
The Grabber wears a terrifying mask that covers the upper and lower halves of his face interchangeably. Designed by legendary horror artist Tom Savini, the mask is expressionless yet deeply unsettling, contributing to the psychological tension of the film.
7) What does Gwen use to try to help find her brother?
Correct Answer: Her psychic dreams
Gwen’s dreams provide fragmented, symbolic visions of the Grabber and his past victims. Though authorities initially dismiss her, her visions ultimately lead to crucial breakthroughs. Her arc emphasizes the power of intuition, belief, and persistence.
8) What is the Grabber’s real profession?
Correct Answer: Part-time magician
The Grabber poses as a magician and uses his persona to lure children. This creepy juxtaposition between childhood innocence (magic) and horror (abduction) adds to his disturbing character and sets the stage for the film’s eerie atmosphere.
9) What do the voices on the phone help Finney do?
Correct Answer: Plan his escape
Each call from a ghostly victim provides Finney with advice, warnings, or practical tools for escaping — from digging holes to preparing weapons. Their collaboration from beyond the grave is a powerful and tragic reversal, giving the dead a chance to fight back through the living.
10) How would you describe the tone of The Black Phone (2021)?
Correct Answer: Supernatural thriller with psychological horror elements
The film combines grounded, realistic dread with ghostly interventions. Rather than relying on gore or jump scares, it builds tension through atmosphere, character development, and emotional stakes. It’s as much about trauma, grief, and survival as it is about the paranormal.
