| B | Fantastic Fest 2026 |
A very enjoyable movie.
Very good story. I don’t think the main character (a blind teenager) was based on anyone specific, but perhaps an amalgam of several people? The movie is “based on true events.” Interesting fact: The writer/director said that about half of the well-known phreakers were blind. (Not sure if he meant just the resurgence during the 2000s, when this story took place, or also including the original rise in the 1970s.) Apparently if you’re born blind, you not only get extra sensitive hearing but also extra mimicry abilities—for both sounds and voices.
A couple of times the script moved too quickly or easily to the next emotion (for the main character) or plot point. But overall it was well written and I liked the examination of this kid who was able to pull so much off and why he did it. The script and direction also handled the so-much-of-the-action-happens-on-the-phone situation well visually.
Another interesting fact: The lead actor was blind, and this was his first acting job. He did really well.
