Mr. Harrigan's Phone 2022

Horror

Runtime

104 min

Language

English

Directed by

John Lee Hancock

Made by

Netflix

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Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Mr. Harrigan's Phone (2022). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

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.

However, the happiness is short-lived as Harrigan passes away, leaving Craig heartbroken after losing a dear friend. During the funeral, in a poignant act of affection, Craig smuggles Harrigan’s phone into the coffin. Later, he learns of a significant inheritance from Harrigan’s will: a trust fund of $800,000 intended to help Craig pursue his education and writing aspirations.

After calling Harrigan’s phone to express his gratitude, Craig is shocked to find an unexpected text waiting for him the next day. His father dismisses the message as a mere glitch in the phone. Moving forward, Craig navigates the trials of adolescence, attending a dance with his crush and encountering Kenny again, who threatens him over alleged betrayals regarding drug dealings, leading to Kenny’s expulsion.

Overwhelmed and distressed, Craig calls Harrigan’s phone to share his fears and expresses a longing for advice, declaring, > “I wish that you were here just to give me some advice.” In an eerie twist, the next day, Kenny is discovered dead from a fatal fall from his bedroom window, leaving Craig in shock.

In an effort to escape the turmoil, Craig upgrades his phone at an Apple store, abandoning his old device. With determination, he graduates high school and heads to Boston for college, aiming to major in journalism. However, unexpected news from his father shatters his solace—Ms. Hart has tragically lost her life in a car accident involving a drunk driver, Dean Whitmore, who faces light consequences despite a history of offenses.

Fueled by anger, Craig uses his old phone to send a distressing message to Harrigan, wishing death upon Whitmore. To his astonishment, he learns that the driver has been found dead in suspicious circumstances. Curiosity drives Craig to investigate the rehab center where Whitmore was sent, leading him to discover unsettling details of the driver’s demise linked to Ms. Hart.

In a heartbreaking moment, Craig reflects on Harrigan’s once-offered wisdom, thinking perhaps the mysterious messages are Harrigan’s way of encouraging him to move on. After visiting Harrigan’s “secret closet”—a hidden shrine to his mother—Craig makes his way to her grave to seek forgiveness.

Struggling with grief, Craig finds himself at the edge of the town quarry, wrestling with the desire to succumb to despair. Instead, he ultimately chooses to cast his phone into the depths of the water, symbolizing his wish to leave the past behind. As he walks away, he contemplates his future, vowing that when his own time comes, he wishes to depart with his pockets empty, ready to embrace whatever lies ahead.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Mr. Harrigan's Phone (2022) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Craig Meets Harrigan

In 2003, a young Craig forges an unexpected friendship with retired businessman John Harrigan after the tragic passing of his mother. Initially tasked with reading to Harrigan three times a week, their bond begins to grow as they find solace in each other's company.

2003

Bonding Through Time

Five years later, Craig is now a teenager, and his relationship with Harrigan deepens into a genuine friendship. They share moments of laughter and wisdom, which help Craig navigate his early adolescent challenges.

2008

Supportive Teachers

As Craig begins high school, he meets his supportive teacher, Ms. Hart, who guides him through the struggles of being targeted by school bully Kenny Yankovich. Ms. Hart's encouragement becomes a beacon of hope during Craig's challenging times.

High School

Winning the Lottery

Craig receives a lottery ticket as a gift from Harrigan and is ecstatic when it wins $3,000. Celebrating this newfound fortune, he decides to buy Harrigan an iPhone for Christmas, eager to introduce him to new technology.

Holiday Season

Harrigan Embraces Technology

Initially hesitant about using his new iPhone, Harrigan gradually discovers the joy of modern technology. This new connection allows the two friends to communicate in ways they had not before, further strengthening their bond.

Heartbreaking Loss

The happiness of Craig and Harrigan is cut short when Harrigan passes away, leaving Craig devastated. During the funeral, in a heartfelt act of love, Craig sneaks Harrigan's phone into the coffin as a final tribute.

Inheritance Revealed

After the funeral, Craig learns about his inheritance from Harrigan's will, which includes a trust fund of $800,000. This substantial amount is intended to support Craig in pursuing his education and writing dreams.

Strange Messages

Craig calls Harrigan's phone to express his gratitude and is shocked when he receives an unexpected text the following day. His father brushes it off as a glitch, but Craig begins to wonder if there might be more to the messages.

Dance and Conflict

As Craig navigates high school life, he attends a dance with his crush, but later faces Kenny again, who threatens him regarding supposed betrayals. Kenny's aggressive behavior ultimately leads to his expulsion, highlighting the tension in Craig's life.

High School Dance

A Dire Phone Call

Feeling overwhelmed, Craig calls Harrigan's phone to share his fears and longing for advice, stating, 'I wish that you were here just to give me some advice.' The very next day, Kenny is found dead from a fall, leaving Craig in shock at the eerie coincidence.

New Beginnings

In an attempt to escape the chaos in his life, Craig upgrades his phone at an Apple store, moving on from his old device. He graduates high school and heads to Boston for college, aiming to study journalism and start anew.

Apple Store

Tragic News Strikes

Craig's newfound solace is shattered when he learns that Ms. Hart has tragically died in a car accident caused by drunk driver Dean Whitmore. The news devastates him, especially as it highlights the injustices in the world.

Seeking Justice

Fueled by anger over Ms. Hart's death, Craig uses his old phone to send a harsh message to Harrigan, wishing death upon Whitmore. To his disbelief, he soon learns that the driver has died under mysterious circumstances.

Investigating the Past

Driven by curiosity and a need for answers, Craig investigates the rehab center where Dean Whitmore was sent. He uncovers unsettling details that link Whitmore's death to his beloved teacher, causing Craig to question the nature of justice.

Rehab Center

Letting Go

Struggling with grief, Craig visits the town quarry, contemplating his troubled past. Ultimately, he chooses to cast his phone into the water, symbolizing his desire to leave behind his burdens and embrace the uncertainty of the future.

Quarry

Characters

Explore all characters from Mr. Harrigan's Phone (2022). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Craig

Craig is a sensitive and introspective teenager who navigates the complexities of adolescence following the loss of his loved ones. His character evolves as he confronts challenges at school and grapples with grief, ultimately seeking closure and direction for his future.

👦 Teenager 📖 Writer 💔 Grief

Mr. Harrigan (Donald Sutherland)

Mr. Harrigan is a retired businessman who forms a unique bond with young Craig. His wisdom and life experiences shape Craig's worldview, providing guidance amidst the turbulence of adolescence.

👴 Mentor 🏦 Businessman 📚 Wisdom

Ms. Hart (Peggy Scott)

Ms. Hart serves as Craig's supportive teacher, encouraging him during tough times. Her tragic death acts as a catalyst for Craig's emotional turmoil and quest for justice.

👩‍🏫 Teacher 💖 Supportive ⚖️ Tragedy

Kenny Yankovich (Cyrus Arnold)

Kenny is the school bully who poses a significant threat to Craig. His confrontational nature ultimately leads to a dramatic fallout, highlighting themes of conflict and bullying.

👊 Bully ⚔️ Antagonist 💣 Conflict

Setting

Learn where and when Mr. Harrigan's Phone (2022) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

2003-2008

The events of the movie unfold over several years, beginning in 2003 and progressing into 2008. This period is marked by notable changes in technology and social interactions, as Craig navigates his teenage years and faces challenges that resonate with the struggles of adolescence.

Location

Boston, Town Quarry

The movie primarily takes place in Boston, a bustling city known for its rich history and vibrant culture. The town quarry serves as a significant location for Craig, symbolizing his battle with grief and his decision to let go of his past. Both places represent key moments in Craig's journey of growth and self-discovery.

🏙️ City 🌊 Nature

Themes

Discover the main themes in Mr. Harrigan's Phone (2022). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

💔

Loss

Loss is a central theme in the film, affecting Craig profoundly after the death of both his mother and Mr. Harrigan. These experiences of grief shape his character and decisions throughout the story, as he seeks closure and understanding in the wake of his losses.

📱

Technology

The introduction of technology, particularly through Harrigan's iPhone, plays a pivotal role in the narrative. It becomes a tool for communication beyond death, propelling Craig into a moral conundrum as he grapples with the implications of using technology to connect with his deceased friend.

⚖️

Justice

Justice is a recurring theme, particularly in the context of Ms. Hart's tragic accident and the subsequent actions Craig takes. His desire for retribution leads to unexpected consequences, prompting reflections on fairness, accountability, and the complexity of seeking justice.

Mr. Harrigan's Phone Ending Explained

Unravel the ending of Mr. Harrigan's Phone (2022) with our detailed explanation. Understand the final scenes, character fates, and unresolved questions.

*In the end, the supernatural force belonging to Mr. Harrigan reveals itself as a result of his troubled past and the guilt he carried from how he treated people during his lifetime. After Craig, now older and in college, makes a desperate plea for Mr. Harrigan’s supernatural help—asking him to kill Deane Whitmore, the reckless driver responsible for his teacher Ms. Hart’s death—it’s implied that the spirit of Mr. Harrigan responds by killing Whitmore in a symbolic act of revenge. Whitmore is found dead in a way reminiscent of Kenny’s death, with a can of shoe polish and a choking incident involving soap—both objects linked to previous deaths and to Mr. Harrigan’s own dark history.

As Craig uncovers more about his former employer’s past, he realizes that Mr. Harrigan’s spirit is not benevolent but driven by unresolved guilt and darker motives. The old man’s prior ruthlessness and neglect during his lifetime seem to have bound his spirit to a vengeful existence, which he continues to manifest through supernatural acts inspired by Craig’s requests.

Eventually, Craig understands that his connection to Mr. Harrigan and his phone is too dangerous, especially since his messages and calls, albeit symbolic, seem to influence real deaths. Feeling responsible for the chaos and grief he has caused—by unknowingly summoning a vengeful spirit—Craig decides to break free from this supernatural bond. He visits the graveyard, apologizes for the past, and throws away the phone into the water, symbolically ending his ties to Mr. Harrigan and the supernatural force.

This act signifies his acceptance that he must let go of old guilt, death, and the dangerous dependence on technology that can unintentionally unleash harm. The story concludes with Craig reflecting on his choices, wishing he could be free from the influence of his phone and the ghostly presence, emphasizing the movie’s underlying warning about modern dependence on smartphones and the potential for unseen consequences. Ultimately, Craig’s final decision to dispose of the phone is a metaphor for seeking peace and releasing the spirits and guilt that haunted him, even as he acknowledges that he can’t completely escape the shadows of his past or the consequences of his actions.*

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