The Call is a small-scale horror film that leans heavily on atmosphere and psychological fear rather than big jump scares. Directed by Timothy Woodward Jr., the movie tries to bring an old-school horror vibe with a creepy concept involving a cursed phone call from beyond the grave. It’s not a high-budget horror, but it attempts to create tension through its dark setup and eerie storytelling.
The Call Movie Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Director | Timothy Woodward Jr. |
| Cast | Lin Shaye, Tobin Bell, Erin Sanders, Chester Rushing |
| Genre | Horror |
| Release Date | 2 October 2020 |
| Runtime | 97 minutes |
| Budget | Not disclosed |
| Box Office | $1.6 million |
Story Explained
The story is set in 1987 and revolves around a group of teenagers who used to bully an old woman believed to be a witch. After her death, they are forced into a strange and terrifying situation where they must make a phone call to a number placed inside her coffin.
What follows is a disturbing experience where someone actually answers the call. The voice on the other side begins to psychologically torture them, forcing each character to face their deepest fears and guilt.
The horror here is less about ghosts jumping out and more about mental punishment and consequences. Each character gets pulled into a personal version of hell, which slowly reveals their past actions and inner darkness. The story tries to show that their past cruelty has come back in a much darker way.
Cast
- Lin Shaye as Edith Cranston
- Tobin Bell as Edward Cranston
- Chester Rushing as Chris
- Erin Sanders as Tonya
- Mike C. Manning as Zack
- Sloane Morgan Siegel as Brett
Lin Shaye delivers a strong performance as the mysterious old woman, bringing a creepy and unsettling presence. Tobin Bell adds depth with a calm but intense role, while the younger cast handles the emotional and fear-driven scenes reasonably well.
Production Details
The film focuses on a limited setting and uses practical effects along with dark lighting to build tension. It was produced on a modest scale, which is noticeable in its simple visuals but also gives it a raw horror feel.
Instead of relying on heavy CGI, the movie tries to use psychological storytelling and character-driven fear, which works in some moments but not consistently.
Themes
- Guilt and Consequences – Past actions come back in terrifying ways
- Psychological Fear – Horror based on mind rather than visuals
- Revenge – The idea of punishment from beyond death
- Bullying – Highlighting the impact of cruelty
Review
What Works
The concept of a phone inside a coffin is genuinely creepy and different. The film builds some effective tension through its atmosphere and psychological elements.
Lin Shaye’s performance stands out and adds authenticity to the horror. Some individual scenes are unsettling and manage to create a strong mood.
What Doesn’t Work
The film struggles with pacing and consistency. Not all scares land effectively, and some moments feel repetitive.
The storyline could have been tighter, and character development is limited, which reduces emotional impact.
Box Office + Reception
The Call received mostly negative reviews from critics and holds around 44% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While a few viewers appreciated its concept and old-school horror vibe, many felt it lacked strong scares and originality.
The film earned around $1.6 million at the box office, reflecting its limited reach and mixed reception.
Final Verdict
The Call is an average horror film with a strong concept but uneven execution. It has some creepy moments and a good performance from Lin Shaye, but overall it may not fully satisfy hardcore horror fans. Still, it’s worth a watch if you enjoy slow, psychological horror.
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