The Black Phone: Grabber's Mask Origins & Significance Explained
The Black Phone writer C. Robert Cargill discusses the origins of the Grabber's mask and how it is significant in establishing the character's backstory. Having teamed up with Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson once again following the success of 2012's Sinister, the pair have adapted Joe Hill's terrifying short story for the big screen. Starring Ethan Hawke, alongside a standout young cast that includes Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw, The Black Phone reviews have been positive and the box office opening incredibly successful, raking in more than $23 million domestically in its first weekend.
The Black Phone tells the story of the mysterious Grabber (Hawke), a serial killer who kidnaps children and keeps them captive in his basement. His latest victim, Finney (Thames) discovers that a disconnected telephone on the wall is capable of contacting the spirits of the Grabber's previous victims, who ultimately aid him in his escape. What sets the Grabber apart from your standard villain, however, is his off-white mask which is made up of separate parts that piece together and features horns, an eerie toothy grin, as well as a deep frowning mouth. Each encounter between Finney and the Grabber sees Hawke's character wear the mask in a number of different variations.
Related: Why The Black Phone's Villain Breaks A Cardinal Horror Killer Rule
During a recent interview with THR, Cargill discusses the origins of the Grabber's mask and how integral it was to the overall character. The writer reveals that the idea for the mask actually stemmed from an initial discussion with Hill about changing the villain from that of the source material, in which he was a clown. The writer discusses how Hill then shared an alternative idea
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