The Black Phone, which had been a looming presence in pop culture, has recently garnered ample buzz on social media owing to its surprising link to a viral theory. Director Scott Derrickson, who redefined modern horror through his films The Black Phone and Sinister, even gave his stamp of approval despite noting there is no connection between those two wild ideas.

Curious to know what The Black Phone is getting compared to?

One cannot deny the stark similarities between The Black Phone mask of the evil and Jeffrey Epstein. Though Scott Derrickson had no intention to link them from his directorial choices or the movie's storytelling, users on social platforms started comparing the film's depiction to Epstein's doings.

The online speculative theories juxtapose Epstein's smile with the mask of the sadistic killer in The Black Phone, resonating with Derrickson's artistic vision. The Doctor Strange director quoted a tweet comparing the two, stating that though the choice was not intentional, the uncanny similarities between Epstein and the killer's mask could not be denied.

"Unintentional, but yes...," he wrote. 

For the unversed, Derrickson's adaptation of Joe Hill's short story The Black Phone brings viewers to 1978 suburban horror while delivering nail-biting psychological suspense. It presents the story of a young boy who gets abducted by a masked killer and receives ghostly phone calls that show him one way to escape. 

Through his work, Derrickson creates a scary story framework that shows fundamental human fears, emotions, and resilience without referencing current public figures. But social media continues to create fictional connections between cult classics and actual events, amplifying curiosity about the film even more.

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Those who have not yet watched The Black Phone, streaming it has never been easier.

The Black Phone premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 25, 2021, followed by US theatrical release on June 24, 2022. It is currently available for rent or purchase on Blu-ray and VOD platforms.

Viewers in the US can stream the movie on NBCUniversal's streaming service, Peacock. Starring Ethan Hawke, Masón Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies, and James Ransone, the film has established itself as one of the greatest horror movies told in recent times.

Meanwhile, its sequel, Black Phone 2, took over the collective pop culture consciousness in 2025 with an October 17 release. It has currently been released on digital and streaming on Peacock. 

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Did you find a resemblance between The Black Phone mask and Epstein? Let us know in the comments.