What Is The Call About?
The premise of The Call in 326 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a quiet rural town, a desperate call to emergency services becomes the unlikely bridge between two women living in different eras. Kim Seo‑yeon, a 28‑year‑old woman struggling with a fragmented family life in 2019, finds herself trapped within the walls of her own childhood home after losing her phone. While searching for a way out, she discovers an old cordless handset that inexplicably connects her to a voice from the past. Across twenty years, Oh Young‑sook is a frightened teenager clinging to the only lifeline she knows in 1999, pleading for help against forces she cannot fully comprehend.
The film unfolds in a dual‑timeline setting that blends the cracked plaster of an aging farmhouse with the muted hum of modern life, creating a world where time feels both fluid and oppressive. The atmosphere is thick with dread and longing, as each woman confronts her own isolation while hearing the other’s whispered fears. Their conversations become a whispered echo that blurs the line between memory and present, turning the ordinary act of picking up a phone into a tense, almost ritualistic exchange.
Both protagonists carry the weight of personal loss and familial uncertainty, yet their personalities contrast in subtle ways: Seo‑yeon is pragmatic, driven by a need to protect what little remains of her broken family, while Young‑sook is raw, haunted by a childhood that feels both familiar and alien. Their connection forces each to confront lingering grief and the unsettling possibility that the past can be altered—or at least understood—through a shared, trembling line of static.
As the story builds, the tone remains relentless in its pursuit of suspense, layering quiet domestic moments with an undercurrent of supernatural unease. The audience is left to wonder whether this fragile telephone link can untangle the knots of trauma that bind the two women, or if the echo of their voices will only deepen the haunting mystery that pulses through the house and the years that separate them.
What Happens in The Call?
The complete story of The Call, from the first scene to the last, in 920 words (about 4 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
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.
As they converse, Seo-yeon shares this astonishing revelation about their ability to connect through time via the phone. They exchange poignant details about their lives: Young-sook, orphaned and trapped with her cruel adoptive mother—a shaman—while Seo-yeon grapples with guilt regarding her father’s death in a fire she believes her mother Eun-ae caused when she carelessly left the stove on. Young-sook decides to help Seo-yeon by allowing her to overhear conversations from her past, including hearing her father’s voice one last time.
Motivated by Seo-yeon’s guidance, Young-sook bravely ventures outside to alter the tragic fire’s outcome that claimed Seo-yeon’s father. Miraculously, this act transforms Seo-yeon’s reality: her parents are alive, thriving, and their home is now splendid—her physical scars have vanished, but Young-sook faces dire repercussions from her mother for her actions, harboring resentment as Seo-yeon’s life flourishes while hers stagnates.
Determined to aid Young-sook further, Seo-yeon scours the internet, only to uncover the horrifying truth that Young-sook was murdered by her mother during an exorcism, with her mother subsequently arrested. With time running out, Seo-yeon urgently warns Young-sook of her impending fate, igniting a series of grim events. As the shaman foresees doom for Young-sook, she fights back, ultimately committing patricide.
Meanwhile, in 2019, Seo-yeon enjoys a peaceful dinner with her parents and Sung-ho, the local strawberry farmer. However, in 1999, a now liberated Young-sook succumbs to her dark instincts and viciously takes down Sung-ho when he stumbles upon the harrowing remnants of her crimes. Seo-yeon’s life shifts once more, as Sung-ho seems to vanish from her existence, leaving neither parent with any recollection of him.
As Seo-yeon investigates further, she realizes Young-sook’s dark path leads to her being identified as a serial killer, and again—during their next call—she inadvertently discloses that Young-sook will surely be caught. Young-sook, inquisitive yet enraged, presses Seo-yeon for information, sending her spiraling into desperation.
On a fateful day in 1999, Young-sook encounters young Seo-yeon and her father at the house. In a shocking turn, she murders Seo-yeon’s father and abducts young Seo-yeon. This cruel twist shifts Seo-yeon’s reality yet again—her father disappears, and her home deteriorates to a grotesque state, with the chilling message “pick up the phone!” crudely scrawled on the floor.
In their next interaction, Young-sook intensifies her manipulations, coercing Seo-yeon to divulge her secrets or risk her younger self being harmed. Cornered and running out of options, Seo-yeon learns about an explosion about to occur in 1999 and concocts a cunning plan to lure Young-sook to her doom. However, the explosion transpires just outside as Young-sook exacts revenge on young Seo-yeon, inflicting painful burn scars that resurface in Seo-yeon’s adult life.
Left with no alternatives, Seo-yeon bravely infiltrates the local police station in search of critical insights about Young-sook’s case. Her investigation leads to the discovery of an officer’s notebook from 1999. During their next call, Young-sook attempts to establish a twisted connection, claiming they are two sides of the same coin, revealing the unsettling fact that Seo-yeon unwittingly contributed to her father’s demise.
Determined to change the course of their intertwined fates, Seo-yeon, armed with newfound knowledge, informs Young-sook of the junk collector’s real address where she unknowingly hopes to trap Young-sook. However, Young-sook, initially triumphant, spirals further into chaos, continuing her horrifying spree of murders. An even more grotesque reality engulfs Seo-yeon in 2019, revealing a home cluttered with the remnants of Young-sook’s victims—and even more haunting, an older Young-sook now residing within.
Seo-yeon soon realizes the notebook’s disturbing contents have morphed yet again. It notes her mother’s frantic search for the missing Seo-yeon and father, revealing that Eun-ae had also placed a call on Young-sook’s phone. Instinctively, Seo-yeon reaches out during this crucial juncture, encouraging her mother to escape.
In 1999, Young-sook, sensing the threat, murders the investigating police officer and relentlessly pursues Eun-ae. Simultaneously, the older Young-sook stalks Seo-yeon in her present. With mounting tension, Seo-yeon pushes her mother to retaliate, leading to a fierce confrontation that escalates—both Eun-ae and Young-sook plummet over the railing in a desperate clash.
As 2019 unfolds in an even more dilapidated state, Young-sook’s foreboding presence dissipates just before delivering a fatal blow to Seo-yeon, granting her a fleeting chance. Reunited, Seo-yeon and her mother find solace, grateful for their survival as they pay homage to her father’s grave.
In a gripping mid-credits scene, Young-sook, portrayed as an ominous figure, reaches out to her younger counterpart before the police arrive, ensuring she survives the fall and granting herself the power to reshape her fate, as young Seo-yeon and Eun-ae leave the cemetery, only for Eun-ae to be wiped from existence. The unsettling conclusion reveals a chilling scene in an abandoned torture chamber, where an adult Seo-yeon is left in a terrifying predicament, likely facing an ominous fate by Young-sook.
The Call Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Seo-yeon Loses Her Phone” to “A Chilling Conclusion”. 8 events name a place, across 5 locations.
- 1
Seo-yeon Loses Her Phone
In 2019, 28-year-old Kim Seo-yeon finds herself distressed after losing her cellphone while visiting her estranged mother in a rural hospital. This incident sets off a chain of events that will change her life forever.
When:2019 Where:Rural Hospital
- 2
Extortion Threat
After reaching her dilapidated childhood home, Seo-yeon contacts the individuals who found her phone, only to learn they plan to extort money from her. This predicament drives her to seek other means of communication.
When:2019 Where:Childhood Home
- 3
Time-Traveling Phone Call
Seo-yeon discovers an old cordless phone in her childhood home and makes a call. To her astonishment, she connects with Oh Young-sook, a girl from the past, revealing they are communicating through time.
When:2019 Where:Childhood Home
- 4
Sharing Lives
As Seo-yeon communicates with Young-sook, they share deeply personal details about their lives. Young-sook reveals her torment under her cruel adoptive mother, while Seo-yeon grapples with guilt over her father's death in a tragic fire.
- 5
Young-sook's Resolve
Motivated by Seo-yeon’s support, Young-sook decides to venture outside in an attempt to prevent the fire that took Seo-yeon's father. Her bravery results in a miraculous change, allowing Seo-yeon to enjoy a new reality where her parents are alive.
When:1999
- 6
Tragic Discovery
Seo-yeon's newfound happiness is short-lived as she learns through her web search that Young-sook was murdered by her adoptive mother. This chilling revelation forces Seo-yeon to warn Young-sook about the impending danger.
When:2019 Where:Web Search
- 7
Young-sook's Dark Turn
As events unfold, Young-sook takes a sinister path, soon confronting a series of grim choices that lead her into violence. Meanwhile, Seo-yeon witnesses changes in her own life involving her parents and a local farmer, Sung-ho.
When:1999
- 8
Profound Consequences
During a fateful encounter in 1999, Young-sook encounters Seo-yeon's young self and her father. In a shocking twist, Young-sook murders Seo-yeon's father, spiraling Seo-yeon's reality into chaos.
When:1999 Where:Childhood Home
- 9
Descent into Madness
Young-sook's acts of violence escalate, leading her to become a serial killer. Seo-yeon realizes that her attempts to save Young-sook may instead lead to her own undoing as she slowly loses her grip on reality.
When:1999
- 10
Seo-yeon's Urgent Escape
In a desperate bid to change their fates, Seo-yeon tries to inform Young-sook about a planned explosion. Although her intentions are noble, the dark reality of their connection becomes apparent as consequences unfold.
When:1999
Show the other 4 events of The Call Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Fateful Showdown
The escalating tension culminates in a fierce confrontation between Seo-yeon’s mother, Eun-ae, and Young-sook. In a dramatic twist, both women fall over a railing, leaving Seo-yeon caught in the aftermath.
Where:Childhood Home
- 12
The Aftermath
Seo-yeon and her mother reunite amidst a chaotic state in 2019. Together, they pay homage to Seo-yeon's father, grateful for survival but realizing their past profoundly shapes their present.
When:2019 Where:Cemetery
- 13
Ties That Bind
In a gripping mid-credits scene, Young-sook ensures her survival after the fall, hinting at her ongoing manipulation of both her own fate and Seo-yeon's life. It suggests a continuous cycle of terror for Seo-yeon.
Where:Abandoned Torture Chamber
- 14
A Chilling Conclusion
The film concludes with Seo-yeon facing a chilling situation as echoes of Young-sook's influence linger. With her mother erased from existence, Seo-yeon is left questioning her fate.
When:2019
Who Are the Main Characters in The Call?
4 characters, among them Kim Seo-yeon, Oh Young-sook and Eun-ae (Seo-yeon's mother): who each one is and the part they play in the story. 1 of them link to the actor’s page.
- KS
Kim Seo-yeon
Seo-yeon is a 28-year-old woman grappling with her family's painful history. Her journey toward helping Young-sook reveals her strength and determination, while also exposing her vulnerabilities and feelings of guilt related to her father's tragic past.
- 👩🦰 Protagonist
- 😢 Guilt
- OY
Oh Young-sook
Young-sook is a tragic character, trapped in an abusive environment and ultimately becomes a reflection of the choices made on both sides. Her interactions with Seo-yeon expose her desperation and darkness, leading to her horrific actions as she seeks to change her fate.
- 👩🦲 Antagonist
- 🚫 Abuse
- E(
Eun-ae (Seo-yeon's mother)
Played by Erin Sanders
Eun-ae is portrayed as a loving yet flawed mother whose past actions inadvertently contribute to the tragic outcomes. Her relationship with Seo-yeon highlights the theme of familial bonds and the lengths one will go to protect their loved ones.
- 👩👧 Mother
- ❤️ Love
- S(
Sung-ho (the local strawberry farmer)
Sung-ho serves as a symbol of normalcy and innocence within the story. His character intertwines with the lives of Seo-yeon and Young-sook, ultimately marking the impacts of violence and trauma brought upon by their choices.
- 🍓 Farmer
- 🙁 Tragedy
Where and When Is The Call Set?
The Call is set in rural hospital and childhood home (1999, 2019). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1999, 2019
The film spans two distinct time periods, 1999 and 2019. In 1999, the traumatic past of Young-sook is revealed, culminating in her tragic fate, while 2019 showcases Seo-yeon's present, filled with the consequences of their intertwined lives.
Where
rural hospital, childhood home
The movie takes place predominantly in a rural hospital where Kim Seo-yeon visits her ailing mother, and in her dilapidated childhood home where significant events unfold. The childhood home is laden with memories and secrets that help connect two timelines, making it a pivotal location in the narrative.
- 🏥 Hospital
- 🏡 Home
What Are the Themes of The Call?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Time Travel, Darkness and Family.
-
01
Time Travel
The concept of time travel is central to the film, as Seo-yeon and Young-sook communicate across two critical years. Their ability to alter past events creates a complex web of consequences, raising questions about fate and free will.
-
02
Darkness
The theme of darkness permeates the movie, exploring the sinister influences of abuse, revenge, and the haunting consequences of one's choices. Young-sook's transformation into a killer exemplifies how pain can twist a person's identity.
-
03
Family
Family dynamics play a crucial role in the characters’ motivations. Seo-yeon's guilt over her father's death and her bond with her mother underline the complexities of familial love, leading to choices that significantly impact their lives.
What Kind of Film Is The Call?
Dark in tone, with variable pacing and a complex story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Variable
- Story
- Complex
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Ambiguous
A relentlessly tense and psychologically brutal horror film that traps the viewer in a nightmarish loop of altered realities, where every attempt to fix the past only deepens the protagonist's despair and the killer's malevolent grip.
- anxious
- claustrophobic
- brutal
- dread-filled
- paranoid
- unsettling
- time travel
- trauma
- alternate reality
- grandfather paradox
Content notes: child abuse, murder, patricide, torture, child endangerment, domestic abuse.
Quiz
How well do you remember The Call? Test yourself on the story.
