Mr. Harrigan's Phone (2022) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
Mr. Harrigan's Phone (2022), based on Stephen King's novella, follows Craig, a young boy who befriends the reclusive billionaire Mr. Harrigan. After Harrigan's death, Craig slips an iPhone into his coffin, only to discover that the man's spirit can still communicate via text messages. The ending reveals that Harrigan's ghostly influence persists, manipulating events from beyond the grave to exact revenge on those who wronged him-and Craig realizes too late that his kindness has unleashed something sinister. The film concludes ambiguously, leaving the audience to ponder the ethics of technology, grief, and the consequences of unresolved guilt.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of Mr. Harrigan's Phone hinges on Craig's growing realization that his deceased friend is not truly gone. After Harrigan's burial, Craig begins receiving eerie, seemingly impossible text messages from the billionaire's number. Initially, these messages are cryptic but benign, offering lottery numbers or stock tips. However, as the story progresses, the texts grow darker, coinciding with the deaths of people who harmed Craig or Harrigan in life. The film's turning point comes when Craig's bully, Kenny, dies under suspicious circumstances shortly after Craig vents his frustrations in a text to Harrigan's number. This forces Craig to confront the horrifying possibility that Harrigan's spirit is enacting vengeance through the iPhone-a tool Craig himself provided.
The final act escalates the supernatural horror as Craig digs up Harrigan's grave to retrieve the phone, hoping to sever the connection. Yet, when he opens the coffin, he finds the iPhone perfectly preserved, its screen glowing eerily. This moment confirms that Harrigan's influence is not just a figment of Craig's grief but a tangible, malevolent force. The film leaves the fate of the phone ambiguous: Craig reburies it, but the screen remains lit, suggesting Harrigan's presence endures. The closing scenes show Craig older and wiser, still haunted by guilt over his role in the deaths, while Harrigan's ghostly texts continue to linger in the digital ether.
Thematically, the ending explores the dangers of blurring the lines between technology and the supernatural. Harrigan's phone becomes a conduit for his unresolved grudges, reflecting how modern devices can immortalize human emotions-both good and bad. The film also critiques the ethics of power: Harrigan, even in death, wields control over the living, echoing his manipulative tendencies in life. Craig's arc culminates in his realization that his bond with Harrigan was never purely benevolent; it was transactional, and his act of kindness (burying the phone) inadvertently enabled a cycle of violence.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
1. Is Harrigan truly a ghost, or is Craig imagining the texts?
- Supernatural interpretation: Harrigan's spirit is tethered to the phone, using it to interact with the living.
- Psychological interpretation: Craig's guilt and grief manifest as hallucinations, projecting Harrigan's voice onto mundane events.
2. Why does the phone still work after burial?
- Fantasy logic: The phone is a supernatural artifact, defying earthly rules.
- Real-world explanation: Craig's mind fabricates the phone's functionality to cope with loss.
3. Will the killings continue after the credits roll?
- Yes: The glowing screen implies Harrigan's influence persists.
- No: Craig's reburial of the phone might sever the connection.
Personal Opinion
The ending of Mr. Harrigan's Phone is a chilling meditation on guilt and the unintended consequences of technology. While slow-paced, the film's ambiguity works in its favor, leaving viewers unsettled long after the credits roll. I appreciated how it subverts the trope of benevolent ghosts, presenting Harrigan as a morally gray figure whose wrath transcends death. However, the narrative could have delved deeper into Craig's emotional turmoil-his guilt feels underexplored. Overall, it's a solid adaptation of King's work, blending horror with poignant commentary on how our digital footprints might outlive us in terrifying ways.
Final Thoughts
The film's strength lies in its atmospheric dread and thought-provoking premise. By leaving key questions unanswered, it invites audiences to grapple with their own interpretations-much like King's best stories. Whether you see Harrigan as a vengeful spirit or a manifestation of Craig's psyche, the ending lingers, a reminder that some bonds, even those forged through screens, are impossible to bury.