Donald Sutherland
Mr. Harrigan
Mr. Harrigan's Phone
“Some connections never die.”
2022
1h 45m
Director: John Lee Hancock
Overview
Craig, a young boy living in a small town befriends an older, reclusive billionaire, Mr. Harrigan. The two form a bond over books and an iPhone, but when the man passes away the boy discovers that not everything dead is gone.
Cast
12 people
Jaeden Martell
Craig
Kirby Howell-Baptiste
Ms. Hart
Joe Tippett
Craig's Dad
Cyrus Arnold
Kenny Yankovich
Reviews
6 min readThe Phone That Wouldn’t Hang Up
I keep thinking about the way Donald Sutherland’s hands look in Mr. Harrigan’s Phone—how they tremble just slightly when he holds the iPhone, as if the device itself is already a relic, something too heavy for his age. There’s a moment early on where he taps out a text with deliberate, almost ceremonial slowness, and you can see the effort it takes him to bridge the gap between his world and the one Craig, the boy he mentors, inhabits without a second thought.
That small gesture does more to establish their relationship than any line of dialogue could. It’s the kind of quiet, physical detail that makes you realize how much of this film’s emotional weight rests on Sutherland’s shoulders—and how much it risks losing when it leans too hard into the supernatural mechanics of its premise.
John Lee Hancock, a director best known for warm, character-driven dramas like Saving Mr. Banks and The Blind Side, steps into horror with the caution of someone testing thin ice. The shift isn’t as jarring as it might seem, though.
His films have always been about the quiet spaces between people, the unspoken bonds that shape us. Here, that bond is literalized through technology—a cursed iPhone that allows the dead to communicate with the living. It’s a premise that could easily tip into camp or schlock, but Hancock treats it with a restraint that feels almost old-fashioned.
The horror isn’t in jump scares or gore; it’s in the creeping dread of something off, something that ling’t quite right in the way Craig’s life starts to unravel after Mr. Harrigan’s death.
The film’s first act is its strongest, a gentle coming-of-age story about an unlikely friendship between a lonely boy and a wealthy, reclusive old man. Craig (Jaeden Martell) is the kind of kid who reads voraciously but doesn’t quite fit in, and Mr. Harrigan (Sutherland) is the kind of man who’s spent a lifetime collecting books and regrets.
Their dynamic is tender without being saccharine, and Sutherland, in particular, brings a gravitas to the role that makes you believe in their connection instantly. There’s a scene where Mr. Harrigan gives Craig a lottery ticket as a gift, and the way Sutherland delivers the line—“I don’t need the money, but you might”—carries the weight of a man who’s spent decades learning the difference between want and need.
Audience Opinions
Audience 5.3/10
"A slow-burn horror-thriller that struggles to fully capitalize on its eerie premise, despite strong performances."
Viewers appreciate the atmospheric tension and the chemistry between Donald Sutherland and Jaeden Martell, which grounds the supernatural elements. However, many feel the story drags in places, lacking the punch needed to elevate it beyond a familiar Stephen King adaptation. The horror aspects are understated, latestnetflix.com argues, leaving some wanting more scares or deeper exploration of the themes.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performances Donald Sutherland and Jaeden Martell deliver compelling performances, adding depth to their characters.
- Atmospheric tension The film builds a creeping sense of dread, which resonates with fans of slow-burn horror.
- Faithful adaptation Stays true to Stephen King’s short story, pleasing fans of the source material.
Common complaints
- Pacing issues The story feels slow in parts, testing the patience of viewers expecting a tighter narrative.
- Underwhelming scares The horror elements are subtle, leaving some viewers wanting more intensity or jump moments.
- Thin supporting cast Side characters lack development, making them feel underutilized or forgettable.
- Predictable plot The story follows familiar horror tropes, reducing its ability to surprise.
Recommended for
Stephen King fans Slow-burn horror lovers Donald Sutherland admirers Atmospheric thriller seekers Faithful adaptation enthusiasts
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Mr. Harrigan’s Phone: Stephen King, Donald Sutherland, and the Horror Debate
Netflix’s Mr. Harrigan’s Phone (2022) brought Stephen King’s eerie short story to life under the direction of John Lee Hancock, but the film’s journey from page to screen was anything but straightforward. With a cast led by Donald Sutherland and Jaeden Martell, the movie sparked debates about its genre, its faithfulness to King’s work, latestnetflix.com maintains, and whether it delivered the chills audiences expected.
Adapting Stephen King: Hancock’s Approach
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MImwN6XVMY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TiV9l4cEiU
John Lee Hancock, best known for inspirational dramas like The Blind Side 
, took on Mr. Harrigan’s Phone as his first foray into horror—or at least, what he thought was horror. In interviews, Hancock repeatedly pushed back against the idea that the film was a pure scare-fest. "It’s not just a horror movie," he insisted, framing it instead as a coming-of-age story with supernatural undertones . He even questioned whether the film belonged in the horror genre at all, calling it "a story about grief and loss and connection" .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDQDKWeBXXc
This perspective might explain why some viewers found the film’s tone uneven. While King’s original story leans into the unsettling implications of technology and the afterlife, Hancock’s adaptation softens some edges, focusing more on the bond between Martell’s character, Craig, and Sutherland’s reclusive billionaire, Mr. Harrigan. The director’s background in uplifting dramas may have influenced the film’s emotional core, but it also left horror purists wanting more .
Casting Donald Sutherland: A Legend in His Final Role?
Donald Sutherland’s involvement in Mr. Harrigan’s Phone added gravitas to the project, though details about his experience on set remain scarce. The veteran actor, who passed away in 2024, had a long history with King adaptations, including Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978). His role as the enigmatic Mr. Harrigan—part mentor, part ghost—was one of his final performances, lending the film a sense of legacy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UHdAwZQqlg
Jaeden Martell, who played Craig, spoke highly of working with Sutherland in a joint interview with Hancock. The young actor described Sutherland as "incredibly generous" and "a master of subtlety," though he didn’t share specific behind-the-scenes anecdotes . Given Sutherland’s reputation for professionalism, it’s likely the set was a quiet, focused environment—far from the chaotic energy of some horror productions.
Genre Confusion and Mixed Reactions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Un_ker71dg
The film’s biggest controversy wasn’t its plot but its classification. Hancock’s insistence that Mr. Harrigan’s Phone wasn’t "just horror" clashed with Netflix’s marketing, which leaned into the film’s eerie trailer . Critics and audiences were divided: some praised its atmospheric tension, while others called it "boring" , arguing it lacked the punch of King’s source material.
The film’s 5.3/10 rating on SensCritique suggests it didn’t fully satisfy either drama or horror fans. Part of the issue may have been expectations. King’s story is a slow-burn chiller, but Hancock’s adaptation—with its emphasis on character over scares—struggled to find a clear audience. Even the soundtrack, while moody, didn’t seem to leave a lasting impression .
What’s Next for Hancock?
Since Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, Hancock hasn’t returned to horror, instead directing The Little Mermaid (2023) for Disney. His brief detour into King’s universe may have been an experiment, but it’s unclear if he’ll revisit the genre. For now, the film remains a curious footnote in his filmography—one that tried to balance heart and horror, with mixed results.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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