Does a Call Come from the Grave?

I watched a film adapted from the novella "Bay Harrigan’s Telephone" in Stephen King’s collection titled "If It Bleeds". Although it falls within the horror, mystery, and thriller genres, the film fell far short of expectations. Unfortunately, for fans of horror and thrillers who enjoy sudden shocks, this production fails to meet even the most modest expectations.

^{Still from the Film} (IMDb)

The lack of depth in the screenplay cannot be compensated for by the famous author or the cast. The plot centers on a young man named Craig who forms an unusual friendship with the reclusive billionaire Bay Harrigan. When Harrigan dies, Craig places a smartphone in his pocket, and mysterious text messages begin to arrive—a premise that seems intriguing on paper. Yet this compelling core idea is never adequately developed throughout the film. As the story progresses, the promised elements of "supernatural horror" and "mystery" become virtually undetectable.

The level of tension remains only moderate, and the jarring or chilling moments that fans of the genre seek never materialize. It is a film worth watching only if you are doing something else at the same time, because even if you miss it, in my view, it is not worth the effort. I watched it while working.

However, to avoid being unfair, I must acknowledge the film’s technical achievements. The cinematographic effects and visual presentation display high-quality craftsmanship. The image quality and visual effects elevate the film to a visually satisfying standard. Yet the film’s greatest disappointment is undoubtedly its ending. The small amount of curiosity built up over the course of the narrative is resolved with a conclusion that feels incomplete and unsatisfying. As a viewer, I waited for the events to connect meaningfully, but the film ends without offering a fulfilling resolution. Despite its technical brilliance and strong performances, the screenplay’s shallowness and its failure to deliver the suspense required by the genre make it difficult to consider this film a success.

In summary, although Bay Harrigan’s Telephone moves at a compelling pace, it performs poorly both as a King adaptation and as a horror-mystery film. It has received average ratings of 6.0 on IMDb ^【1】 and 2.9 on Beyazperde ^【2】, which confirms its shortcomings. Despite its visual appeal, the emptiness of its content leads me to give it a personal rating of 5 out of 10. Why would anyone place a phone in a dead man’s coffin? Does the grave even ring?^【3】