Netflix’s Mr Harrigans Phone is a story you cannot miss because of its subtle way of letting us know about the dangers of our beloved devices and the importance of letting go. Based on a novella of the same name by Stephen King the movie stars Donald Sutherland, Jaeden Martell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Joe Tippett, Cyrus Arnold and Carl Zohan, along with other cast members and is directed by John Lee Hancock.
Mr Harrigan’s Phone revolves around a young boy who befriends an ageing billionaire and bonds over their love for books and their very first iPhones. However, one day after the old man’s death, the boy is surprised to find out that he can still connect with his beloved friend.
Netflix’s synopsis of the movie reads:
A boy and an aging billionaire bond over books — and their first iPhones. But when the older man passes, their mysterious connection refuses to die.
-Mr Harrigans Phone Review contains Mild spoilers-
Like most movies these days, Mr Harrigans Phone too begins with the ending scene of Craig (Jaeden Martell) standing near a lake while he makes a decision that can change his future. We then go back in time when he had just lost his mother and soon met John Harrigan (Donald Sutherland) who hired him to read his books for him.
While the irresistible offer leads the young boy out of the depressing house, he wonders why the billionaire would hire him when there could have been better candidates for the job. However, this doesn’t stop him from coming to the old man’s house and ends up forming a friendship that stays with him for a long long time.
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The movie is without a doubt a masterpiece that makes you wonder if this is actually a horror or just a supernatural story that makes it possible for the young man to connect with his beloved friend even after his death. The young man represents the generation of phones that are falling slaves to their phones which is capable of turning even a man as smart as John falls for them.
Craig understood how brilliant this friend of his is when John is able to decipher the dangers of this wonderful device that brings the world to our fingertips. Though it is only later while Craig is narrating this story that he realises just how wise this man is.
The movie does a very good job of subtly showing us the dangers of phones while making it so powerful that it almost feels like we too are waking up from a trance that we have been living in till today. The age of information and technology that makes everything accessible is also capable of spreading false information that we will accept as the truth.
We all know that this has happened and without thinking twice, we tend to belive in everything that we see. As long as it is shown that the source is verified, we will not think twice before accepting it as the truth. This is a dangerous situation which is what it means to be slaves to our phones and this is a situation that we cannot fight against because it only seems right.
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The ominous feeling that flows throughout the movie and the confusion of what is the truth; will follow us the whole time of this movie. And at the end of it all, Craig seems to be going crazy thinking that he is responsible for whatever has happened. But the brave boy stands up to finally fulfil his friend’s wish and let go.
Summing Up: Mr Harrigans Phone
Altogether, this is a simple yet wonderful movie that should not be missed. It is exciting and while a little dark, it is not scary. The storytelling and the actors are amazing and you should not miss out on witnessing this understated movie.
While it may seem more like a boring lecture for the generation who is unable to leave behind their phones, it is also an important message for those who have become addicted to the same.
I have personally found this to be a beautiful movie and would recommend others to give it a watch. The simple yet powerful message cannot be missed by anyone and the finale is simply beautiful as it says goodbye in a very satisfying way.
Watch Mr Harrigans Phone on Netflix.
Let us know what you think about this movie in the comments below!
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Review was so bad, it made me never want to watch this movie in my life.