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Horror thriller

When a Stranger Calls Back (1993): Cast & Plot

When a Stranger Calls Back (1993) movie poster

When a Stranger Calls Back is a 1993 horror thriller directed by Fred Walton, starring Jill Schoelen as Julia Jenz, Kevin McNulty and Cheryl Wilson. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes.

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When a Stranger Calls Back (1993) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 34m (94 min)
Director
Fred Walton
Genres
Horror , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is When a Stranger Calls Back About?

The premise of When a Stranger Calls Back without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Julia Jenz is babysitting two sleeping children when an unknown man arrives, saying his car has broken down and asking to use the phone. She discovers the house phone is dead, convinces him to leave, but the incident quickly turns sinister as she realizes the danger remains inside, amplifying the night’s terror.

When a Stranger Calls Back Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • stalker
  • babysitter
  • woman in jeopardy
  • second part
  • telephone terror
  • phone not working
  • dead phone
  • babysitter in peril
  • talking through a door
  • female protagonist
  • strong female protagonist
  • babysitting
+38 more
  • psychopath
  • mysterious telephone call
  • sequel
  • trauma
  • child kidnapping
  • hospital
  • gun
  • shooting
  • fight to the death
  • camouflage face paint
  • camouflage paint
  • apartment
  • suicide attempt
  • police investigation
  • face on a milk carton
  • illusionist
  • optical illusion
  • police station
  • detective
  • self defense
  • firearms training
  • buying a gun
  • university
  • college
  • college student
  • university student
  • tea kettle whistling
  • tea kettle
  • ventriloquism
  • ventriloquist dummy
  • ventriloquist act
  • nightclub
  • topless waitress
  • attempted murder
  • faking car trouble
  • car trouble
  • children
  • sleeping child
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Cast & crew

When a Stranger Calls Back Cast & Characters

Jill Schoelen leads the cast as Julia Jenz, with Kevin McNulty as Dr. Schifrin and Cheryl Wilson as Mrs. Schifrin. Directed by Fred Walton; 21 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in When a Stranger Calls Back

· 17 more
Show all 21 cast members
From the director

More from Fred Walton

More films directed by Fred Walton, best-rated first: When a Stranger Calls, April Fool's Day, The Stepford Husbands and The Courtyard.

Full filmography
Plot

When a Stranger Calls Back Plot Summary

What happens in When a Stranger Calls Back from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Julia Jenz arrives at Dr. Schifrin’s house for a routine babysitting gig. Soon after the parents leave, a mysterious man knocks on the door, claiming his car is broken and asking to come inside to use the phone. Julia refuses him admittance, but offers to call the auto club. The phone is dead, and to prevent revealing this detail, she lies and says she already called the auto club. The auto club never arrives, and the man returns again and again, begging for help. Julia hopes he’ll simply leave, yet the conversations grow increasingly tense and sinister. As she moves through the shadowy rooms of the house, she senses that something is not right—someone is inside.

Full summary

The whole story of When a Stranger Calls Back, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know When a Stranger Calls Back?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the teenager who is babysitting at the beginning of the film?

Cars

Cars in When a Stranger Calls Back

19 cars on screen, including the 1990 Acura Integra and the 1992 Chevrolet Corsica.

All 19 cars
  • 1990 Acura Integra in When a Stranger Calls Back 1990 Acura Integra Minor role
  • 1992 Chevrolet Corsica in When a Stranger Calls Back 1992 Chevrolet Corsica Minor role
  • 1983 Ford LTD Crown Victoria in When a Stranger Calls Back 1983 Ford LTD Crown Victoria Minor role
  • 1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme in When a Stranger Calls Back 1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Minor role
Details

When a Stranger Calls Back Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “Stimme der Dunkelheit” and “Appel dans la nuit”.

Also known as
  • Stimme der Dunkelheit
  • Appel dans la nuit
  • Lo sconosciuto alla porta
  • La llamada de un extraño
  • Zlý neznámý
  • Um Estranho à Minha Porta
  • Когда незнакомец снова звонит
  • Terreur sur la ligne 2
  • 神秘电话
  • 미드나잇 테러
  • Ölümcül Aramalar

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FAQ

When a Stranger Calls Back FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of When a Stranger Calls Back, each answered in a sentence.

How long is When a Stranger Calls Back?

When a Stranger Calls Back runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).

When was When a Stranger Calls Back released?

When a Stranger Calls Back was released on April 4, 1993.

Who directed When a Stranger Calls Back?

When a Stranger Calls Back was directed by Fred Walton.

More films by Fred Walton

Who is in the cast of When a Stranger Calls Back?

When a Stranger Calls Back stars Jill Schoelen as Julia Jenz, Kevin McNulty as Dr. Schifrin and Cheryl Wilson as Mrs. Schifrin, among 21 credited actors.

Does When a Stranger Calls Back have a post-credit scene?

No. When a Stranger Calls Back has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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