Phone Booth
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: April 4, 2003
8.7
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 534 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
463
Mixed:
42
Negative:
29
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
9
asylumspadezNov 23, 2011
I really liked this film. I thought it was interesting from start to finish. Good acting, Interesting story, and it all happens in a phone booth. Really good film.
22 of 23 users found this helpful221
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10
PerineumJan 14, 2020
Brilliant acting and directing ---------------------------------------------
15 of 17 users found this helpful152
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10
ExcommunicadoJan 19, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. During the movie, when the Caller warns Stu not to move, he says "You can get shot 41 times just for pulling out your wallet." This is a reference to the killing of Amadou Diallo, an innocent man who matched the description of a serial rapist. The police approached him and he pulled out his wallet (presumably to show them his ID), they mistakenly thought it was a gun and the four officers on scene fired 41 rounds at him. He was shot 19 times and died as a result of his injuries.… Expand
4 of 4 users found this helpful40
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10
LevitationApr 13, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Larry Cohen worked on the script for the movie Cellular (2004) while he tried to get his screenplay "Phone Booth" sold. In a New Yorker article, he says he wrote "Cellular" with the intention that it would be the direct opposite to "Phone Booth" ("Phone Booth" is about a man trapped on a phone in a booth, while "Cellular" is about a man who is still trapped on a phone but can go anywhere). However, his friends told him that he had written the same screenplay twice.… Expand
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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10
Atrium89May 25, 2021
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3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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9
Meth-dudeJul 9, 2016
The acting in this movie was on point, the movie was entertaining and tense and Colin Farrell was simply brilliant in his role.Phone Booth is simply one of the finest movie about a killer on the phone.
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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9
Embalmer98Jun 9, 2021
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2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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9
Aerialist277Jun 19, 2021
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2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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9
Pluto744Jun 20, 2021
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2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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9
ReceptacleJun 22, 2021
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2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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9
Shroud189Jun 26, 2021
♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
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2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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9
Acquit77Jul 16, 2021
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2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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10
JasonL.Apr 30, 2003
[**POTENTIAL MINOR SPOILERS**] Have you ever seen a movie that you would actually pay money to watch more than once? What if I told you that this film had a setting of only one main location, two main actors and three supporting cast members?[**POTENTIAL MINOR SPOILERS**] Have you ever seen a movie that you would actually pay money to watch more than once? What if I told you that this film had a setting of only one main location, two main actors and three supporting cast members? While these elements don?t make up what a classic movie sounds like on paper, add director Joel Schumacher (Bad Company, 8mm) into the mix, along with screenwriter Larry Cohen, who had this story handed down to him by Alfred Hitchcock himself about 30 years ago, and you have the perfect blend of blackmail, violence and extortion: Phone Booth. The story begins by showing a glimpse into the life of Stu Shepard (Daredevil?s Colin Farrell). Stu is a New York hustler that people love to hate. He is egotistical, two-faced to everyone he knows and does what he can for personal gratification. He even fantasizes about cheating on his wife Kelly (Pitch Black's Radha Mitchell) and the object of that desire is Pamela McFadden (Dawson Creek?s Katie Holmes). Pam is a young actress trying to get her first break, while Stu has been grooming her for the big time. To avoid having his calls to Pam appear on his cellular phone bill, Stu calls her from the lone phone booth left in the heart of NYC. However, things would be different on this day. Upon hanging up, he receives a call that would turn his whole world upside down. The caller (24?s Kiefer Sutherland) is a sniper, who has been targeting high-profile underhanded suits, just like Stu. He has a few simple rules so that Stu does not meet the same fate that two others had before him: don?t leave the booth, don?t tell anyone who he?s talking to, and most importantly, don?t hang up. To prove his seriousness, the caller shoots and kills a pimp who tries to physically remove Stu from the booth for taking too much time with his call. This, as expected, does not help matters, and the fallen pimp?s hookers now believe it was indeed Stu who committed the murder. Soon, the NYPD and numerous media outlets are covering this serious situation. Things become increasingly difficult for Stu Shepard as Kelly and Pam both show up. In the meantime, the caller continues to play various mind games, while the sympathetic NYPD Captain Ramey (Twilight Zone?s Forest Whitaker) tries to solve the issue. During all of this, Stu tries to maintain his sanity and not risk any more lives. His lies no longer matter. As a result, he must now search his soul, discover himself and attempt to outsmart the caller, taking the game to a whole new level. The cinematography is outstanding. Schumacher uses the right angle for every shot, and manages to keep everyone?s attention with quick pans and abrupt cuts. In the end, the 80-minute movie seems longer but not because it is boring. The biggest payoff comes with the twist ending that changes the film?s outcome within sixty seconds. There was not one bad performance in Phone Booth. Farrell?s ability to convert his Irish brogue to a Brooklyn drawl makes his performance as Bullseye in Daredevil look like a child?s school play when compared to the Broadway-level of acting he manages here. While Mitchell and Holmes did not have lengthy parts, their roles added just enough to the story and they managed to perform up to the standards of their characters. Forest Whitaker was a surprisingly great addition to the cast and his role as a sympathetic cop is one that?s not often seen, and should thus be welcomed. However, all of these actors are outshined by Kiefer Sutherland, who ends up being extremely creepy and one of the best antagonists in recent movie history by just using his voice. Will this win Best Picture at next year?s Academy Awards? It probably won?t. However, with a great story, top-notch directing and a cast with great chemistry, what more could you ask for? Out of a possible five stars, I give this the limit of five with desires to go even higher. While I would go see it again and again, not everyone has the same tastes. However, I would put down the $8 for a ticket to see the flick at least once. If nothing else, it will make you stop and think: the next time you enter a phone booth, just who will be watching? … Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful
10
JG.Oct 13, 2006
Now this is American cinema at its finest. A truly powerful and life-changing film. Phone Booth transports you to a whole other world. This movie takes you on an exciting journey full of twists and turns that you just simply don't want Now this is American cinema at its finest. A truly powerful and life-changing film. Phone Booth transports you to a whole other world. This movie takes you on an exciting journey full of twists and turns that you just simply don't want to end. Colin Farrell gives us a riveting performance, he demands our full attention right from start to finish, restoring our faith and love in him once again. Quite possibly the most triumphant achievement of his career. Phone Booth is a magnificent exhibition of raw talent and ingenuity. A shotgun hat trick of a movie that will linger in your thoughts long after you have shut off the DVD player, turned the light down and slipped into bed. Bravo!… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful
9
Autopsy904Jun 13, 2021
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
Libation70Aug 6, 2021
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
AbolishAug 17, 2021
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
Capricorn87Sep 8, 2021
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1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
FilmQueenOct 25, 2015
Extremely good, extremely thrilling! The moral message the film is well displayed, every minute of it is exciting and Colin Farrell's performance is superb. This is a memorable film and one of the bests of its genre.
4 of 5 users found this helpful41
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10
ImpugnJan 11, 2020
Phone Booth is a modern masterpiece. It will keep you on the edge of your seat. This is Colin's best performance & Keifer is also perfect in this movie along with Forest Whitaker.
4 of 5 users found this helpful41
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8
MovieGuysJul 3, 2014
Phone Booth is a no-holds-barred, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that is "The Godfather" of popcorn movies. It delivers thrill after thrill while keeping a short 91 minute runtime. The best part of it and the reason it's so successful as aPhone Booth is a no-holds-barred, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that is "The Godfather" of popcorn movies. It delivers thrill after thrill while keeping a short 91 minute runtime. The best part of it and the reason it's so successful as a heart-pounding thriller is that at any given moment, someone could die. In fact, towards the end, the movie starts to partially show some kind of matter-of-fact message about the human condition; a rarity in this genre.… Expand
6 of 10 users found this helpful64
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8
matroycemApr 29, 2013
This is one of my favourite movies. Firstly I am not a huge Colin Farrell fan and some of his acting can be ropey but he puts in a solid display. The brilliance of this film is the fact its so simple. It is basically one set. One man onThis is one of my favourite movies. Firstly I am not a huge Colin Farrell fan and some of his acting can be ropey but he puts in a solid display. The brilliance of this film is the fact its so simple. It is basically one set. One man on camera emoting and then a voice on the other end of the line. Farrell shows his emotion and has a great range of these through the film. Some of the supporting cast in the more meaningless roles are not great but the key roles of Farrell, Whitaker and the brilliant Keifer Sutherland really make this film. Sutherland is by far the best performance as he is pretty much just a voice. He is menacing, funny, evil and sadistic all through his tones. This was pretty much his come back movie after his fall from grace and really impressed me. The plot is not all that deep but I would certainly tell people to watch this as I liked it for its simplicity. To make a film captivating when it is set in one location is impressive.… Expand
6 of 12 users found this helpful66
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9
Stagger74Jul 15, 2021
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1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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7
Tss5078Feb 19, 2014
Who would have thought a movie about a guy in a phone booth would be as interesting as it was? I suppose when Joel Shumacher is directing an all-star cast, anything, even an entire movie that takes place in a phone booth, can be interesting!Who would have thought a movie about a guy in a phone booth would be as interesting as it was? I suppose when Joel Shumacher is directing an all-star cast, anything, even an entire movie that takes place in a phone booth, can be interesting! Colin Farrell stars as a man who lies, cheats, and does anything it takes to get to the top of his profession. He thinks he's on top of the world, with a wife, a girlfriend, and a group of clients, who don't know what scum he is, but someone has noticed the real Stu Shepard and has trained a rifle on him. Shepard has to do as he is told or risk becoming yet another victim, of a man who has been targeting New York City's businessmen. Colin Farrell is a very versatile actor, it's always been his biggest strength, but generally I find his performances to be kind of flat. Farrell has never been someone who I would consider a top tier Hollywood actor, but looking back on this early performance, I have to tell you, I was impressed. The setting of the film was so limited, that the only way it works is if you have a strong and believable cast, which Phone Booth certainly has. Every character has a unique back story and everyone is interconnected, in a film that is full of intrigue and edge of your seat action. People may not know what a phone booth is anymore, but this film is far from outdated. It is an excellent edge of your seat thrill ride that is perfect for the person who wants a short, but exciting movie.… Expand
2 of 7 users found this helpful25
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8
DusksparkMay 10, 2013
An original and simply idea, yet filled with such thrilling moments that will keep you hooked to the front of your chair from start to finish. It shown the volnurability of ordinary people and how lies unfold, yet with a certain touch thatAn original and simply idea, yet filled with such thrilling moments that will keep you hooked to the front of your chair from start to finish. It shown the volnurability of ordinary people and how lies unfold, yet with a certain touch that keeps it interresting without ever losing any of its intentions.… Expand
2 of 7 users found this helpful25
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8
imthenoobFeb 27, 2012
Solid acting by the experianced cast and it was interesting from start to finish as well, That is rare for a movie imo. The only flaw of the film is that it takes a little bit to get into but its still totally worth watching. I would recommend it.
2 of 10 users found this helpful28
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6
grandpajoe6191Sep 28, 2011
"Phonebooth" demonstrates that Director Joel Schumacher, despite the massive Cliches and disjointed script he created, can actually direct decent movies.
2 of 11 users found this helpful29
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7
StevenFNov 1, 2013
An interesting and perhaps hidden ploy within ‘Phone Booth’ is its subconscious poke at those who lead a sinful and disillusioned life, it goes with the belief that such a life will catch up on you, this film obviously does this in a dramaticAn interesting and perhaps hidden ploy within ‘Phone Booth’ is its subconscious poke at those who lead a sinful and disillusioned life, it goes with the belief that such a life will catch up on you, this film obviously does this in a dramatic and ridiculous way, but it still throws a few stones in to ripple the water and give us a thought in the short running time of the movie, it takes place almost entirely within this area where the phone booth is, but keeps the pulse going with its sometimes unpredictable plot and mysterious caller. We are introduced to the fast talking publicist that is Stu Shepard, phone to the ear and barking various orders to his lackey, he lies and cheats his way through life, which comes back to bite him, he uses a pay phone to call his mistress Pamela (Katie Holmes) so as his wife Kelly (Radha Mitchell) is unaware when she checks his phone records, ruling out the possibility of her becoming aware of his adultery. What dear Stu doesn’t anticipate is answering the pay phone to a confidently spoken man who knows just about every single thing about our now edgy publicist, oh yeah and the man on the other line has a sniper pointed at Stu, under the illusion that Stu deserves to die for his life of shame and fakery, he’s essentially playing God and yet he is only a voice, but a commanding voice is also one not to be messed with, something that Stu finds out all to soon after a run in with some irritated street walkers and their pimp, his day just eta worse and worse. As the intention starts to grow on Stu and police start arriving, Captain Ramey (Forest Whitaker) starts figuring out that perhaps Stu is actually incapable of putting down the phone for fear of getting a bullet through his head, they are under the belief that Stu has a gun, yet aren’t completely sold on the whole story that they’re being fed. Director Joel Schumacher knows how to heighten the tension as he often focuses the camera on what appear to be menial objects at first, but soon play out to be much more vital, he also gives the whole thing a sense of humour, which is a nice touch. Most of the humour and tension comes from the voice on the phone, the anti-hero perhaps. The voice is Kiefer Sutherland, who brings a soft yet effective tone that is refreshing to listen to but menacing when need be. It becomes unclear wether he has any intention of killing Stu, but it makes the film much more enthralling when he never seems to lose his cool and has Stu in all sorts of knots, a snappy and enjoyable film that seems to hold so much more under the hood and has more pressing motives that it doesn’t play.… Expand
1 of 14 users found this helpful113
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10
DanielVJun 22, 2009
I loved this film, I have to warn you before you watch it. It is a thinking thriller. People often criticize the amount of vulgarities. I find the number of vulgarities to be accurate given the situation. People simply think that vulgarities I loved this film, I have to warn you before you watch it. It is a thinking thriller. People often criticize the amount of vulgarities. I find the number of vulgarities to be accurate given the situation. People simply think that vulgarities are not common place because most other films use less for the given situations.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful
5
TonyB.Jan 20, 2006
If we are willing to suspend our disbelief, we can accept the premise. A number of the film's scenes, however, particularly the whores-pimp sequence, strain all credulity. "Phone Booth" is well acted and crisply edited and never boring.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
0
LoddeJul 12, 2003
Absolutely the worst movie I have ever seen in my entire life. This film is based on the most absurd, uncreative, and unexciting storyline, and leaves viewers with a highly unsatisfying ending. Colin Farrell tries his best to generate Absolutely the worst movie I have ever seen in my entire life. This film is based on the most absurd, uncreative, and unexciting storyline, and leaves viewers with a highly unsatisfying ending. Colin Farrell tries his best to generate interest and sympathy for his flawed character, but after about 30 minutes of enduring him talking on the phone in the booth, you just want to see his demise. The action is non existent, you could put the suspense in a thimble, and although the cast has some decent talent, not one of them can save this movie from having my distinction of being the worst, and biggest waste of time of my life (and yours if you've seen, or plan to see this absolute atrocity). At 81 minutes, you're better off getting your colon cleansed, or perhaps having your eyeballs endure acupuncture with foot long needles then fixing them on the misery that is this movie. … Expand
0 of 3 users found this helpful
6
beingryanjudeSep 1, 2014
With the restrictions of the phone booth, Joel Schumacher does a fine job of stylish direction and brevity. Colin Farrell may just give the performance of his entire career.
0 of 10 users found this helpful010
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7
DANIELW45Jun 7, 2015
Phone Booth manages to take a simple premise and turn it in to a intense thriller. Kieffer Sutherland plays the calm and statistic caller that watches over Collins Farrell self centred publicist. A nail biting thriller
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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4
geewahMar 30, 2021
Average at best.
The plot holes are infuriating enough but the whole premise of the movie is ludicrous and pointless.
The actors work hard to build the tension considering how feeble the script is they're working with.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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8
Sarian263Mar 15, 2021
A movie I came back to quite recently and forgot how brilliant it is! Seriously tense movie with great moments where you are on the edge of your seat the whole time. I don't want to say much more than that as it is a movie I always say to goA movie I came back to quite recently and forgot how brilliant it is! Seriously tense movie with great moments where you are on the edge of your seat the whole time. I don't want to say much more than that as it is a movie I always say to go into it blind. Great acting, great story, Great ending...90% of this coming from a singular Phone Booth!… Expand
0 of 7 users found this helpful07
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8
SophieBOct 2, 2007
An excellent movie, with a good concept and good acting performances. Keeps you hooked until the end.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
EdgarC.Jul 9, 2007
A perfectly intense movie about a man in a phone booth. Despite the lack of any true violence or action, the movie will keep the watcher hooked to his/her seat. I loved it.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
DuggieBJan 30, 2009
Wow! A thriller the whole way. One of the better movies I've seen lately.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
eva3si0nJun 19, 2022
Phone Booth is one of the best chamber thrillers I've seen. I am very surprised that Colin Farrel was able to cope with such a difficult role. It's clearly one of his best jobs of his career. The Phone Booth has an excellent level ofPhone Booth is one of the best chamber thrillers I've seen. I am very surprised that Colin Farrel was able to cope with such a difficult role. It's clearly one of his best jobs of his career. The Phone Booth has an excellent level of suspense, almost the benchmark for a thriller. This is a vivid example of the fact that for a good thriller you need not so much, enough interesting dialogue and one place… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
Gravitational78Apr 18, 2022
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0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
umrttlDec 30, 2022
Guy stuck in a phone booth for 90 minutes somehow makes a hella interesting movie
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
qqziiJan 15, 2023
A good film that keeps you hooked until the end. The excellent performance of the actors makes you feel for them. Definitely recommend to anyone who loves psychological thrillers.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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