Madeleine McGraw's Age and Role in The Black Phone
Madeleine McGraw was born on December 22, 2001, and she was 18 years old during principal photography for The Black Phone, which wrapped in early 2021. The film, based on the Joe Hill novel, centers on a kidnapped boy who receives calls from the spirits of past victims. McGraw plays Gwen, the missing boy's older sister, whose perspective anchors much of the emotional arc. Her casting was confirmed by production announcements tied to the Blumhouse and Universal Pictures release schedule. For more on the film's production timeline, see the official Universal Pictures page for The Black Phone The Black Phone official site.
In the finished film, McGraw's character is depicted as a teenager actively searching for her brother while navigating fear and guilt. The story spans a short period, and her on-screen age aligns closely with her real-life age at the time of filming. The project was directed by Scott Derrickson and shot primarily in Wilmington, North Carolina, with a budget reported around $18 million. The Black Phone premiered at Fantastic Fest in September 2021 and opened theatrically in June 2022, with McGraw's performance widely cited in reviews as a standout.
Madeleine McGraw's Career Leading Up to The Black Phone
Before The Black Phone, McGraw built a résumé with roles in Disney's The Secret Life of Pets, where she voiced the character Daisy, and in the HBO series The Newsroom. She also appeared in the family film Outcast and the thriller Don't Let Go, both of which showcased her range as a young performer. Her casting in The Black Phone marked a shift toward horror and thriller projects, aligning her with a new generation of actors in genre films. Her earlier work is documented on her verified IMDb profile Madeleine McGraw IMDb.
McGraw's age during the filming of The Black Phone placed her in the late stages of high school, and she balanced the production with her education. The film's director, Scott Derrickson, noted in interviews that he sought a performer who could convey both vulnerability and determination, qualities McGraw demonstrated in her prior work. The Black Phone became one of the highest-grossing horror films of 2022, and McGraw's performance contributed to its critical reception. The movie's box office data is tracked by industry sources such as Box Office Mojo The Black Phone box office.
Key Facts About The Black Phone and Madeleine McGraw
The Black Phone is rated R for violence, language, and brief drug use, and it runs approximately 103 minutes. The film was produced by Blumhouse Productions and distributed by Universal Pictures, with a theatrical release in the United States on June 24, 2022. Madeleine McGraw's role as Gwen is central to the plot, as she works to locate her brother while the supernatural elements unfold. The screenplay was written by Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill, adapting Joe Hill's short story collection 20th Century Ghosts.
The cast includes Mason Thames as the lead character Finney, and Madeleine McGraw's portrayal of his sister adds a grounded, emotional layer to the narrative. The film's success led to a sequel, The Black Phone 2, which is currently in development with many original cast members expected to return. McGraw's involvement in the franchise continues to be a focus for fans and industry tracking sites such as Deadline The