Hellphone
Hellphone

Movie spotlight

Hellphone

2009
Movie
66 min
Tagalog

To surprise her daughter on her birthday, a mother saves up and buys a second-hand cellphone. But before she can get home, accident befalls her and she ends up dead. The phone was stolen by a janitor who was trying to make ends meet. His excitement over the phone is cut short when strange things started happening. He along with his friend team up to uncover the truth behind the unusual phone and the mysterious voice that keeps on calling.

Insights

IMDb5.4/10
Google Users56%
Director: James HuthGenres: Comedy, Fantasy

Plot Summary

A meek and unsuccessful writer acquires a magical cell phone that grants him the ability to make his deepest desires come true. However, each wish comes with a sinister price, leading him down a path of escalating consequences and moral compromises. As his life transforms, he must confront the true cost of unchecked ambition and the dark side of instant gratification.

Critical Reception

Hellphone received a mixed reception from critics and audiences. While some praised its inventive premise and the performance of Jean Dujardin, many found the film's execution to be uneven and its dark humor occasionally falling flat. The philosophical undertones were often overshadowed by a plot that some critics deemed predictable or overly reliant on comedic tropes.

What Reviewers Say

  • Jean Dujardin's charismatic performance is a highlight, grounding the fantastical elements.

  • The film's dark comedic tone and cautionary tale about desire are appreciated by some.

  • However, the narrative struggles with pacing and thematic consistency, leaving many viewers unsatisfied.

Google audience: Google users generally had a lukewarm response to Hellphone. While many enjoyed the comedic aspects and Jean Dujardin's leading role, a significant portion found the plot to be somewhat predictable and the dark humor not always effective. Some users pointed out that the film's premise, though interesting, was not fully exploited.

Fun Fact

The film is based on the novel of the same name by French author Jean Teulé.

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