❝In the 21st century, I think our phones are how we are wedded to the world. If so, it's probably a bad marriage. There are a great many things I'm not sure of anymore. Reality itself, for a start. I do know one thing, however, and it's as solid as New England rock. When I die, when it's my time to go, I wanna be buried with empty pockets.❞
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'If It Bleeds' is one of my favourite collections from Stephen King, and 'Mr. Harrigan's Phone' is an excellent start to the book. I was excited to find this adaptation at first, but that slowly faded as I realised it's a Netflix film, and considering what they did to 1922, I thought it best to drastically lower my expectations, which unfortunately turned out to be a good idea.
This is just so bland in terms of storytelling and atmosphere. I know the first part of the novella isn't scary at all, but the dynamic between Craig and Mr. Harrigan developing is pretty important, and this really didn't deliver on that. And when the spookiness should've started, it was so toned down and lacking any sort of tension that it felt like I was watching a completely different story. Even the cinematography was boring, with the majority of the film using bleak, cold lighting and weird colour grading.
The performances from some of the cast are what prevented me from turning this off, namely from Donald Sutherland (whom I miss greatly) and Jaeden Martell, who seems to be all in for Stephen King adaptations (I think he could've been good in The Long Walk).
Overall, I don't think it's worth giving this a watch, especially if you like 'If It Bleeds'. I'd say I've learned my lesson when it comes to Netlfix films like this, but when there's a true gem every so often, I guess I have to take the risk.
❝In the 21st century, I think our phones are how we are wedded to the world. If so, it's probably a bad marriage. There are a great many things I'm not sure of anymore. Reality itself, for a start. I do know one thing, however, and it's as solid as New England rock. When I die, when it's my time to go, I wanna be buried with empty pockets.❞
· · ───── ·₊⊹ ⋅𖤓⋅ ⊹₊· ───── · ·
'If It Bleeds' is one of my favourite collections from Stephen King, and 'Mr. Harrigan's Phone' is an excellent start to the book. I was excited to find this adaptation at first, but that slowly faded as I realised it's a Netflix film, and considering what they did to 1922, I thought it best to drastically lower my expectations, which unfortunately turned out to be a good idea.
This is just so bland in terms of storytelling and atmosphere. I know the first part of the novella isn't scary at all, but the dynamic between Craig and Mr. Harrigan developing is pretty important, and this really didn't deliver on that. And when the spookiness should've started, it was so toned down and lacking any sort of tension that it felt like I was watching a completely different story. Even the cinematography was boring, with the majority of the film using bleak, cold lighting and weird colour grading.
The performances from some of the cast are what prevented me from turning this off, namely from Donald Sutherland (whom I miss greatly) and Jaeden Martell, who seems to be all in for Stephen King adaptations (I think he could've been good in The Long Walk).
Overall, I don't think it's worth giving this a watch, especially if you like 'If It Bleeds'. I'd say I've learned my lesson when it comes to Netlfix films like this, but when there's a true gem every so often, I guess I have to take the risk.
