Mr. Harrigan's Phone (2022)

Craig becomes acquainted with retired businessman Mr. John Harrigan following the death of his mother, with instructions to simply read to him three times a week. As the years go on, Craig and Harrigan become fast friends, despite Harrigan showing some anti-social tendencies. During this time, Craig starts high school and becomes relatively close to his teacher Ms. Hart, who comes to his aid when Kenny, a school bully, attempts to intimidate him. After winning $3,000 from a lottery ticket that Harrigan gave him and receiving his first iPhone for Christmas, Craig buys Harrigan one too, despite Harrigan first showing resistance to new technology. Harrigan dies unexpectedly, leaving Craig rather broken at the loss of his old friend. At the funeral, Craig sneaks Harrigan’s phone into his suit.

He is then informed by Harrigan’s associates that he was left a bequest in Harrigan’s will and will receive $800,000 in his trust fund, knowing Craig wanted to go to college and be a writer. Craig calls Harrigan’s phone as a small gesture of thanks and regret. However, the next morning he finds that Harrigan sent him an odd text message. His father chalks it up to it being a bug within the iPhone itself. Craig attempts to move on with his life, going to a dance with a crush of his, only to be attacked by Kenny, who accuses Craig of getting him expelled from school. After being taken home, Craig calls Harrigan’s phone in a fit of frustration and sadness; he tells him he is “afraid that this won’t end, and I wish that you were here just to give me some advice.” Kenny is found dead the next day; allegedly, he fell from his bedroom window attempting to sneak out. Scared by what happened, Craig goes to an Apple store, upgrades his phone to a newer model, and hides his old one.