Mr. Harrigan's Phone (Film)

Mr. Harrigan's Phone is a 2022 supernatural horror and drama film directed by John Lee Hancock and adapted from the short novel of the same name by Stephen King. ^【1】The film, set in the United States, centers on the relationship between a reclusive billionaire and a young boy who reads books to him. ^【2】The production features a dramatic narrative structure that explores personal loss, the relationship between technology and death, and a mysterious connection established beyond the grave through the protagonist’s coming-of-age journey. ^【3】

Key

The film begins in 2003, when young Craig meets John Harrigan, a retired businessman, following the death of his mother. Harrigan asks Craig to read books to him three times a week, and this interaction continues for five years. When Craig starts high school, Harrigan gives him a lottery ticket, from which Craig wins $3,000. Using part of the money, Craig buys himself and Harrigan, as a Christmas gift, an iPhone. Initially resistant to the new technology, Harrigan gradually begins using the device. After Harrigan’s death, Craig secretly places his friend’s smartphone into Harrigan’s jacket pocket during the funeral. ^【4】

Jaeden Martell as Craig (IMDb)

Story Development

Craig calls Harrigan’s phone to thank him for their friendship and receives a strange message the next day. As life continues, Craig is bullied by his classmate Kenny Yankovich and, feeling disillusioned, calls Harrigan’s phone to describe what happened. Shortly after, Kenny is found dead after falling from a window. Frightened by the events, Craig replaces his phone with a newer model and stores the old device away. Years later, when Craig is in college, he learns that his teacher, Ms. Hart, died in a car accident caused by the drunk driver Dean Whitmore. ^【5】

Angered that Whitmore was sent to rehabilitation instead of prison, Craig uses the old phone to call Harrigan and wishes for Whitmore’s death. Upon learning that Whitmore committed suicide in the rehabilitation center, Craig becomes disturbed, realizing the details of the incident are linked to Harrigan. In the end, Craig visits Harrigan’s grave to apologize for his actions and throws the phone into a stream in a stone hearth, severing his connection to the past. ^【6】

Production

Mr. Harrigan's Phone was directed and written by John Lee Hancock. The film is adapted from the short novel of the same name, which appears in Stephen King’s 2020 collection titled "If It Bleeds". ^【7】

Jaeden Martell as Craig (IMDb)

Production was handled by Blumhouse Productions and Ryan Murphy Productions. Principal photography for the American film took place in Fairfield, Connecticut.

The film was released worldwide on the Netflix platform on October 5, 2022, including in Türkiye. Technically, the production features a 2.39:1 aspect ratio and Dolby Digital audio format. The total runtime is recorded as 1 hour and 44 minutes (104 minutes). Described as a low-budget production, the film was distributed digitally to audiences through Netflix Türkiye. ^【8】

Cast

• Donald Sutherland: Portrays the reclusive retired businessman and billionaire Mr. Harrigan
• Jaeden Martell: Plays Craig, the central character who forms a friendship with Mr. Harrigan
• Joe Tippett: Portrays Craig’s father
• Colin O'Brien: Embodies the younger version of Craig during his childhood years
• Kirby Howell-Baptiste: Portrays Ms. Hart, Craig’s high school teacher
• Cyrus Arnold: Plays Kenny Yankovich, who bullies Craig at school
• Frank Ridley: Appears as Reverend Mooney
• Peggy J. Scott: Portrays Edna Grogan
• Thomas Francis Murphy: Appears as Pete Bostwick
• Randy Kovitz: Plays Civciv Rafferty
• Thalia Torio: Portrays Regina
• Conor William Wright: Portrays the Submarine character
• Alexa Niziak: Appears as Margie
• Bennett Saltzman: Plays Billy
• Daniel Reece: Portrays Dean Whitmore, the drunk driver responsible for Ms. Hart’s death
• Dale Duko: Appears as Felix
• Gregory Jensen: Plays Wall Street #1
• Andrew O'Shanick: Plays Wall Street #2^【9】