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Horror film

Mr. Harrigan's Phone (2022): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Mr. Harrigan's Phone (2022) movie poster

Mr. Harrigan's Phone is a 2022 horror film directed by John Lee Hancock, starring Donald Sutherland as Mr. Harrigan, Cyrus Arnold and Thomas Francis Murphy. It is based on If It Bleeds by Stephen King. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes. Critics gave it 46% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.

IMDb rating
6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
46%
Echo Score
47
Metascore
55
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Mr. Harrigan's Phone (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Director
John Lee Hancock
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Mr. Harrigan's Phone About?

The premise of Mr. Harrigan's Phone without spoilers, adapted from If It Bleeds by Stephen King. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

A young boy named Craig develops an unlikely friendship with the wealthy and solitary Mr. Harrigan in a small town. After Mr. Harrigan's death, Craig discovers a mysterious link to his friend through an iPhone, blurring the lines between the living and the deceased. This poignant supernatural story explores the enduring nature of relationships and the unsettling consequences of technology.

Mr. Harrigan's Phone Themes & Keywords

· 48 tags
  • small town
  • teenager
  • based on short story
  • telephone
  • friend
  • based on novella
  • iphone
  • teenage boy
  • young boy
  • smartphone
  • school bully
  • message
+36 more
  • suicide
  • lottery
  • driver
  • drunk
  • young
  • reference to iphone
  • secret
  • supernatural power
  • town
  • supernatural horror
  • father
  • mother
  • year 2003
  • year 2011
  • reference to oscar wilde
  • hit by a car
  • expelled from school
  • funeral
  • shower
  • shoe polish
  • scratch off lottery ticket
  • christmas
  • christmas tree
  • high school
  • church
  • reference to tammy wynette
  • reference to henry david thoreau
  • car accident
  • corpse
  • flashback
  • school bus
  • teen horror
  • based on novel
  • character name in title
  • bully
  • selling marijuana
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Cast & crew

Mr. Harrigan's Phone Cast & Characters

Donald Sutherland leads the cast as Mr. Harrigan, with Cyrus Arnold as Kenny Yankovich and Thomas Francis Murphy as Pete Bostwick. Directed by John Lee Hancock; 12 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from John Lee Hancock

More films directed by John Lee Hancock, best-rated first: The Highwaymen, Saving Mr. Banks, The Founder and The Rookie.

Full filmography
Ratings

Mr. Harrigan's Phone Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Mr. Harrigan's Phone 46% on Rotten Tomatoes and 55 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 47/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in story & flow (35).

47 /100

Mr. Harrigan's Phone Echo Score Breakdown

Mr. Harrigan's Phone delivers a modestly crafted adaptation that falls short of delivering consistent horror. While the performances, especially from Donald Sutherland and Jaeden Martell, provide occasional emotional depth, the narrative drifts with pacing issues and an underdeveloped supernatural premise. Visual and auditory elements are competent but lack a distinctive flair. The film may intrigue viewers interested in technology-themed drama, yet its overall impact remains muted and unlikely to sustain repeated viewings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, the film shows a restrained visual style and competent production design. Direction offers moments of polish, yet editing and pacing irregularities undermine narrative flow. Cinematography captures an understated atmosphere but does not elevate the material. The overall craftsmanship feels adequate but unremarkable, resulting in a middling impression of the film's technical execution.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    Character and emotion emerge as the film's strongest area, anchored by solid performances from the leads. The chemistry between the veteran and the teenager adds nuance, and the supporting cast contributes credible depth. While some critics note occasional lapses in momentum, the acting consistently conveys the bittersweet bond at the story's core, delivering a respectable emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 35

    Story and flow suffer from uneven pacing and a lack of narrative cohesion. The plot unfolds slowly, with a protracted first act that delays engagement, and the supernatural premise remains insufficiently explored. Originality is present in concept, yet execution leaves key questions unanswered, resulting in a disjointed experience that diminishes overall storytelling effectiveness.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    Sensory experience offers modest atmospheric elements, featuring an understated score and occasional spooky sound design. Visual style maintains a muted palette that aligns with the film's contemplative tone, but it does not achieve a memorable aesthetic impact. While the auditory cues support the low-key horror intent, they fall short of creating a lasting sensory impression.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    Rewatch factor appears limited, as the film's slow burn and unresolved plot threads hinder lasting appeal. The modest creepiness may linger for some viewers, yet the lack of sustained tension and underdeveloped horror reduces incentive for repeat viewings. Overall, the movie offers minimal replay value beyond a single, curiosity‑driven watch.

Plot

Mr. Harrigan's Phone Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Mr. Harrigan's Phone from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 2003, a young Craig finds himself forging an unexpected friendship with retired businessman John Harrigan after the tragic passing of his mother. Tasked with simply reading to Harrigan three times a week, this unusual bond deepens over time. By five years later, Craig, now a teenager, and Harrigan share a genuine camaraderie.

As Craig embarks on his high school journey, he encounters supportive teacher Ms. Hart who provides him with guidance when he becomes the target of school bully Kenny Yankovich. When a lottery ticket gifted by Harrigan wins him $3,000, Craig celebrates by buying Harrigan his very own iPhone for Christmas. Initially hesitant to embrace the new technology, the elderly Harrigan soon discovers the joy of his new device.

Full summary

The whole story of Mr. Harrigan's Phone, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Mr. Harrigan's Phone Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Mr. Harrigan's Phone.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Mr. Harrigan's Phone?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What gift did John Harrigan give Craig that led to Craig winning the lottery?

Cars

Cars in Mr. Harrigan's Phone

46 cars on screen, including the 1995 Volvo 960 and the 2006 Cadillac DTS Funeral Coach.

All 46 cars
  • 1995 Volvo 960 in Mr. Harrigan's Phone 1995 Volvo 960 Important role
  • 2006 Cadillac DTS Funeral Coach in Mr. Harrigan's Phone 2006 Cadillac DTS Funeral Coach Minor role
  • 2007 Cadillac Escalade in Mr. Harrigan's Phone 2007 Cadillac Escalade Minor role
  • 2003 Ford E-Series in Mr. Harrigan's Phone 2003 Ford E-Series Minor role

Seen Mr. Harrigan's Phone?

FAQ

Mr. Harrigan's Phone FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Mr. Harrigan's Phone, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Mr. Harrigan's Phone?

Mr. Harrigan's Phone runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was Mr. Harrigan's Phone released?

Mr. Harrigan's Phone was released on October 5, 2022.

Who directed Mr. Harrigan's Phone?

Mr. Harrigan's Phone was directed by John Lee Hancock.

More films by John Lee Hancock

Who is in the cast of Mr. Harrigan's Phone?

Mr. Harrigan's Phone stars Donald Sutherland as Mr. Harrigan, Cyrus Arnold as Kenny Yankovich and Thomas Francis Murphy as Pete Bostwick, among 12 credited actors.

How is Mr. Harrigan's Phone rated?

Mr. Harrigan's Phone has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 46% on Rotten Tomatoes, 55 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Is Mr. Harrigan's Phone based on a book?

Yes. Mr. Harrigan's Phone is adapted from If It Bleeds by Stephen King.

Does Mr. Harrigan's Phone have a post-credit scene?

No. Mr. Harrigan's Phone has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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