The Call (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The Call is a 2020 horror film directed by Timothy Woodward Jr., starring Lin Shaye, Tobin Bell and Mike C. Manning. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $1.6 million worldwide. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Director
- Timothy Woodward Jr.
- Genre
- Horror
- Original language
-
Korean
- Studio
- Cinedigm
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Call About?
The premise of The Call without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A frantic 911 call connects two women separated by time. One caller is trapped in a terrifying past, while the other struggles to survive in the present. As the connection deepens, they discover a shared torment and must confront the disturbing events that bind them. Their fight for freedom intertwines past and present, blurring the lines between what is real and what is a haunting echo.
The Call Themes & Keywords
· 39 tags- time travel
- telephone terror
- present
- police officer
- borderline personality disorder
- phone call from beyond the grave
- mysterious telephone call
- mystery from beyond the grave
- warning from beyond the grave
- maniac
- space time continuum
- grandfather paradox
+27 more Show fewer
- south korean girl
- murder of a police officer
- b word
- f word
- remake
- foreign language adaptation
- based on film
- korean remake
- south korean remake
- remake of european film
- remake of british film
- korean remake of british film
- south korean remake of british film
- korean remake of european film
- south korean remake of european film
- asian remake
- asian remake of european film
- female serial killer
- female antagonist
- female psychopath
- psychological thriller
- christmas
- new year's
- new year's eve
- female pedal pumping
- new years
- new years eve
The Call Cast
Lin Shaye leads the cast, with Tobin Bell and Mike C. Manning. Directed by Timothy Woodward Jr.; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Timothy Woodward Jr.
Also Starring in The Call
· 6 moreMore from Timothy Woodward Jr.
More films directed by Timothy Woodward Jr., best-rated first: The Outsider, Hickok, Til Death Do Us Part and Vanished: Searching for My Sister.
The Call Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Call 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 85/100, strongest in character & emotion (92) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).
The Call Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, The Call offers a compelling blend of inventive premise and sustained tension. Critics praised its imaginative concept, nuanced direction, and strong performances, while viewers lauded the suspenseful atmosphere and emotional investment. However, recurring comments highlight issues with the film’s ending logic and occasional pacing dips in its first half. In net, the film stands as an engaging thriller with a memorable mood, tempered by narrative ambiguities that may divide audiences.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 88
In terms of art and craft, The Call displays assured direction and meticulous production design throughout. Reviews highlight effective world-building, from its contrasting modern and period settings to its unsettling color palette. The film’s pacing and editing maintain suspense with strategically placed cuts and mounting tension. Overall, the visual cohesion and textural richness underpin the film’s atmosphere and contribute to its haunting aesthetic.
- Character & Emotion 92
When it comes to character and emotion, The Call benefits from compelling lead performances that anchor its high-concept premise. Reviews underscore nuanced portrayals, particularly from Jeon Jong-seo, and the palpable chemistry between its protagonists. Emotional resonance is heightened by moments of vulnerability and escalating tension. Overall, the film’s character work successfully engages audiences and conveys the psychological stakes at the heart of its time-spanning thriller.
- Story & Flow 78
In terms of story and flow, The Call introduces an original time-displacement concept that sustains interest. Critics commend its unpredictable twists and high-concept premise, though some note occasional pacing lulls in the first half. User feedback frequently cites confusion over the film’s conclusion and a post-credits scene that undermines narrative cohesion. Overall, the plot’s inventiveness and engagement prevail despite moments of ambiguity in its resolution.
- Sensory Experience 85
When it comes to sensory experience, The Call excels in creating a tense auditory and visual environment. Reviews praise its chilling sound design, eerie score, and effective use of silence to heighten suspense. Visually, the film employs a controlled color palette and striking compositions that reinforce its darker motifs. Overall, the cohesive blend of sound and visuals amplifies the film’s unsettling atmosphere and immersive horror.
- Rewatch Factor 70
In terms of rewatch factor, The Call offers intriguing layers of tension that reward repeat viewings. Its inventive premise and suspenseful moments invite audiences to revisit key sequences for deeper understanding. However, narrative ambiguities—particularly around the ending—and a divisive post-credits scene may limit its lasting appeal for some viewers. Overall, the film’s originality supports rewatch value, though its unresolved aspects could deter sustained revisit.
-
IMDb 7.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 100% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 79%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
TMDB 55% User score
See on TMDB -
Movie Insider 4.1 /5
See on Movie Insider
The Call Plot Summary
What happens in The Call from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 2019, 28-year-old Kim Seo-yeon finds herself in a precarious situation after losing her cellphone while visiting her ailing, estranged mother in a rural hospital. Upon reaching her dilapidated childhood home, she contacts the individuals who discovered her phone, only to discover they intend to extort money from her. To solve her dilemma, she resorts to an antiquated cordless phone she uncovers in the house. The first caller from this phone is a terrified woman pleading for help from her abusive mother, revealing her distressing predicament. Upon exploring further, Seo-yeon stumbles upon a secret basement, discovering remnants from the previous homeowners, which leads her to the realization that she is communicating with Oh Young-sook, a girl who inhabited the same house in 1999.
Full summary
The whole story of The Call, scene by scene
The Call Box Office
The Call grossed $1.6 million worldwide. $516,521 came from the US and Canada and $1.1 million (68%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$1.6M
- US & Canada
- $516.5K
- International
- $1.1M
The Call Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Call.
How Well Do You Know The Call?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What event triggers Seo-yeon's return to her childhood home?
Cars in The Call
8 cars on screen, including the 2011 Chevrolet Orlando and the 1994 Daewoo Espero.
-
2011 Chevrolet Orlando Minor role -
1994 Daewoo Espero Minor role -
1998 Hyundai Dynasty Minor role -
1997 Hyundai Sonata III Minor role
Seen The Call?
Movies Like The Call
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Call, The Call and One Missed Call.
The Call FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Call, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Call?
The Call runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).
When was The Call released?
The Call was released on October 2, 2020.
Who directed The Call?
The Call was directed by Timothy Woodward Jr.
More films by Timothy Woodward Jr. Who is in the cast of The Call?
The Call stars Lin Shaye, Tobin Bell and Mike C. Manning, among 10 credited actors.
How much did The Call make at the box office?
The Call grossed $1.6 million worldwide ($516,521 domestic, $1.1 million international).
How is The Call rated?
The Call has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 55% on TMDB and 4.1/5 on Movie Insider.
Does The Call have a post-credit scene?
No. The Call has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Call in?
The original language of The Call is Korean.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
