Mr. Harrigan’s Phone Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A boy puts a phone in a dead billionaire’s pocket, and suddenly, the afterlife has better cell service than I do.

🍿 Mr. Harrigan’s Phone: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Budding Friendship

In 2003, Craig, a young boy who lost his mother, is hired by Mr. Harrigan, a reclusive wealthy man, to read to him three times a week. Over the next five years, their bond strengthens as Craig reads classic literature to Mr. Harrigan, sparking meaningful conversations and offering Craig a unique perspective on life. Mr. Harrigan, despite his initial gruffness, becomes a mentor and friend to Craig.

The Gift of Technology

As Craig enters high school, he gifts Mr. Harrigan an iPhone. Initially resistant, Mr. Harrigan becomes fascinated with the access to information the phone provides. However, he also warns Craig about the potential dangers of misinformation and the control that technology can exert. This reflects a central theme of the movie: the double-edged sword of technology.

Loss and Connection Beyond the Grave

When Mr. Harrigan passes away, Craig is heartbroken and places the iPhone in the coffin during the funeral. Grieving, Craig leaves a message on Mr. Harrigan’s phone, and is shocked when he receives a cryptic text in response. This leads Craig to believe that Mr. Harrigan is still communicating with him from beyond the grave, blurring the lines between reality and the supernatural.

Revenge from Beyond

After being bullied and wronged, Craig uses the phone to vent his frustrations, indirectly wishing harm upon those who have hurt him. Strange occurrences follow, leading to the deaths of those Craig has negative feelings for. Craig becomes increasingly disturbed by the implications of his connection to Mr. Harrigan and questions the morality of his actions.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Craig (Jaeden Martell): A young man who befriends Mr. Harrigan and discovers he can communicate with him after death through a buried iPhone.
• Mr. Harrigan (Donald Sutherland): A reclusive billionaire who forms an unlikely friendship with Craig and continues to exert influence from beyond the grave.
• Craig’s Dad (Joe Tippett): Craig’s widowed father, who provides support and guidance to his son as he navigates life’s challenges.
• Mrs. Hart (Kirby Howell-Baptiste): Craig’s supportive teacher who becomes a victim of a drunk driver, leading Craig to seek supernatural revenge.
• Kenny Yankovich (Cyrus Arnold): A school bully who torments Craig and becomes the first victim of Mr. Harrigan’s posthumous interventions.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Craig: “When the gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers.” – Craig narrates this quote from Oscar Wilde early in the movie, foreshadowing the consequences of his wishes.
• Mr. Harrigan: “Some things are best left alone.” – Mr. Harrigan says this, warning Craig about meddling with forces he doesn’t understand, particularly revenge.
• Craig: “I wish that you were here just to give me some advice.” – Craig says this to Mr. Harrigan’s phone, expressing his helplessness before the bully’s death.
• Craig: “When I go, I want my pockets to be empty.” – Craig narrates this at the end, signifying his letting go of the past and the burden of his connection to Harrigan.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Mr. Harrigan’s Phone Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this expecting a spooky Stephen King story, and while it had those elements, it was more of a touching drama about friendship and grief. Sutherland was brilliant as Mr. Harrigan, and I really felt for Craig’s struggles. The scenes where he’s reading to Mr. Harrigan were especially heartwarming. It wasn’t terrifying, but it made me think about the impact of technology on our lives and the importance of human connection.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Stephen King’s more character-driven stories.”
  • “Viewers who enjoy coming-of-age dramas with supernatural elements.”
  • “Those interested in films exploring the impact of technology on society.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief depictions of bullying.”
  • “Mild violence.”
  • “Discussion of death and grief.”
  • “Suggestive language.”

Professional Reviews

• MovieFanatic.com: “While not a jump-scare filled horror fest, Mr. Harrigan’s Phone offers a compelling coming-of-age story with a touch of the supernatural. Sutherland and Martell deliver strong performances, but the pacing may leave some viewers wanting more.
• HorrorWeekly.com: “Marketed as horror, but delivers more drama. Slow burn approach. It’s a thriller that focuses on character development with two well-cast actors as the main characters that have great chemistry.

Audience Reactions

Donald Sutherland’s performance as the enigmatic Mr. Harrigan was captivating.: The film excels at exploring the themes of grief, friendship, and the dangers of technology.

Overall Consensus: A thought-provoking drama with supernatural elements, Mr. Harrigan’s Phone is more character-driven than outright scary, making it a worthwhile watch for those who appreciate a slower-paced, emotional story.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on a novella from Stephen King’s collection ‘If It Bleeds’.”
• “Unlike many Stephen King adaptations that expand upon the source material, this movie closely follows the novella’s plot and themes.”
• “Jaeden Martell previously starred in another Stephen King adaptation, ‘It’, further connecting him to the author’s work.”

🖥️ How to Watch Mr. Harrigan’s Phone?

Mr. Harrigan’s Phone is currently available for streaming exclusively on Netflix. Unfortunately, it is not available to rent or purchase on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play. A Netflix subscription is required to view the film.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, you might like these similar films:

• The Black Phone (2021): Deals with supernatural communication via phone calls and features a Stephen King connection (Joe Hill, King’s son, wrote the short story).
• Christine (1983): Stephen King story about a supernatural connection with an inanimate object.
• Stand by Me (1986): Another Stephen King story exploring themes of friendship, growing up, and dealing with death.
• Apt Pupil (1998): Stephen King novella exploring a dark friendship and dangerous influence.

🛒 Mr. Harrigan’s Phone Related Products

• Mr. Harrigan’s Phone (If It Bleeds): The original Stephen King novella that inspired the movie, this collection of stories offers a deeper dive into the world of Mr. Harrigan and other unsettling tales.
• IT (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital): Jaeden Martell’s previous Stephen King project. Another King adaptation that is highly praised.
• iPhone 1st Generation – Classic Design Art Print Poster: A vintage-style art print poster featuring the iconic design of the original iPhone, a nostalgic reminder of the technology that plays a central role in the movie.
• Tammy Wynette – Stand By Your Man: Album includes the song, Stand By Your Man, that acts as a ring tone throughout the movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

Mr. Harrigan’s Phone features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Blessed Assurance” – performed by Fanny Crosby and Mrs. J.F. Knapp

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

He Sends a Goodbye Message to His Dead Friend’s Phone But he Responds From Hell

Want a quick rundown of the movie before diving in? This recap covers all the creepy details of the plot, so you’ll know exactly what to expect. Honestly, it’s like the perfect cheat sheet!

Boy Calls His Dead Grandpa, But He Accidentally Awaken The Devil

Intrigued by the movie’s supernatural elements? This recap highlights the creepy connection and spooky events that unfold. It’s a great way to see if the horror aspect is right up your alley!

The Boy Asked His Dead Grandfather To Kill For Him, And The Two Were Connected Only By A Telephone

Looking for a super quick take on the movie? This short recap and commentary dives straight into the main themes and spooky setup. It’s perfect for a quick ‘should I watch it?’ check!

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