What are the main themes of The Call?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Time Travel, Survival and Family Trauma.

Who directed The Call?

The Call (2020) was directed by Chung-Hyun Lee and runs 1 hour 52 minutes.

The Call (2020) Plot Summary & Timeline

Q: Who are the main characters in The Call?

The story follows Kim Seo-yeon (played by Jong-seo Jeon), Oh Young-sook (played by Jeong-se Oh) and Eun-ae (played by Shin-Hye Park).

No spoilers

What Is The Call About?

The premise of The Call in 310 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In a remote, weather‑worn house perched on the edge of a Korean countryside, a young woman returns to her childhood home only to discover that the simple act of losing her cellphone thrusts her into an unsettling mystery. The empty rooms echo with the static of an old cordless phone, and when it rings, the voice on the other end is far from ordinary. As she reaches for the receiver, the line becomes a fragile bridge between two eras, pulling her into a conversation that feels both intimate and impossibly distant.

The call connects her with a girl living in the same house many years earlier. Kim Seo‑yeon, a twenty‑something who has come back to confront painful memories, finds herself drawn into a dialogue with Oh Young‑sook, a lonely orphan whose world is ruled by superstition and isolation. Their exchange is quiet yet charged, a whispered confession that blurs the line between present and past, turning an ordinary house into a liminal space where time seems pliable.

Both women carry the weight of personal trauma, and their newfound link offers a tentative hope for understanding and maybe redemption. The mood is consistently tense, bathed in the cold light of flickering bulbs and the ever‑present hum of the telephone line, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that pulses with unease. The film balances a slow‑burning psychological thriller with moments of fleeting tenderness, as each protagonist grapples with the unknown consequences of speaking across decades.

As the conversation deepens, the audience is left to wonder how far the reach of this strange connection can go, and what price might be paid when the past refuses to stay silent. The ever‑present ring of the phone becomes a summons to confront hidden fears, setting the stage for a gripping battle of wills that hangs in the balance between reality and the nightmarish echo of another time.

Full plot

What Happens in The Call?

The complete story of The Call, from the first scene to the last, in 636 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.

Spoilers ahead

In 2019, 28-year-old Kim Seo-yeon finds herself in a challenging situation after losing her cellphone during a trip to her childhood home, where she plans to visit her estranged mother in the hospital. Arriving at the dilapidated house, Seo-yeon manages to contact the individuals who found her phone, but they attempt to exploit her by demanding money for its return. Turning to a decades-old cordless phone she discovers, she receives an unsettling first call from a distressed woman claiming she’s being tortured by her mother.

Through her investigation of the house, Seo-yeon uncovers a hidden basement filled with remnants left by previous occupants. She soon realizes that the voice on the other end of the line belongs to Oh Young-sook, a girl who lived in the same house in 1999. The two engage in a remarkable exchange, discovering that they can communicate across time through the phone. Young-sook reveals her grim reality: she is an orphan mistreated by her adoptive mother, a shaman, while Seo-yeon shares her own traumatic past, marked by the tragic loss of her father in a fire, a tragedy she blames on her mother, Eun-ae, for leaving the stove on.

As their conversations unfold, Young-sook cleverly allows Seo-yeon to overhear familiar voices from her past, including that of her father. Prompted by Seo-yeon’s information, Young-sook decides to act in 1999, sneaking out to prevent the fire that would take Seo-yeon’s father’s life. Her success alters Seo-yeon’s present: her parents are alive and well, and the house has transformed into a luxurious abode, with Seo-yeon’s scars mysteriously healed. However, this change comes at a steep cost for Young-sook, as she faces severe punishment from her adoptive mother, who is angered by Young-sook’s defiance.

Determined to help, Seo-yeon turns to the internet for more information, uncovering the harrowing fate of Young-sook; she was ultimately killed during an exorcism gone wrong. Concerned, Seo-yeon attempts to warn Young-sook during their next call. In a desperate bid for power, Young-sook takes drastic measures to escape the path laid out for her, committing murder in the name of survival.

In the present, Seo-yeon enjoys a family dinner with her parents alongside Sung-ho, the local strawberry farmer, while Young-sook in 1999 spirals deeper into danger, eliminating anyone who threatens her secret. A chilling revelation washes over Seo-yeon; as she searches for answers, she learns that Young-sook has been arrested as a serial killer, igniting a new intensity in their conversations. The stakes rise as Young-sook’s actions lead to horrific consequences for Seo-yeon, resulting in an even more unstable reality for her.

Things come to a head when 8-year-old Seo-yeon and her father inadvertently enter Young-sook’s dangerous life as they finalize their house purchase. In a shocking turn of events, Young-sook captures Seo-yeon’s father, causing Seo-yeon’s present to spiral into chaos as memories of her father begin to fade. The haunting message “pick up the phone!” scrawled on the floor signals to Seo-yeon that time is of the essence.

In a gamble to regain control, Seo-yeon discovers vital information about a gas explosion linked to Young-sook’s past, devising a plan to lure her into a trap. As the clock ticks, the tension escalates further, leading to a series of violent confrontations that unravel their intertwining fates. Ultimately, the battle for survival culminates as Seo-yeon fights to protect her family, leading to a heartbreaking showdown where both past and present collide.

In a gripping mid-credits scene, a flashback reveals Young-sook’s earlier intervention, where she foils her own demise by warning herself in 1999. This act alters the timeline irrevocably, culminating in an eerie conclusion as Seo-yeon’s fate hangs in the balance. As the camera fades, the chilling sounds of screams echo, hinting at the formidable threat Young-sook continues to pose, ensnaring Seo-yeon in a nightmarish cycle from which escape seems impossible.

Timeline

The Call Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

14 key events in the order they happen, from “Seo-yeon Loses Her Phone” to “Mid-Credits Revelation”. 7 events name a place, across 3 locations.

1

Seo-yeon Loses Her Phone

In 2019, 28-year-old Kim Seo-yeon travels to her childhood home to visit her estranged mother in the hospital. During her trip, she loses her cellphone, setting off a chain of events that leads her to unexpected revelations.

When:2019 Where:Seo-yeon's childhood home
2

Disturbing Phone Call

While searching for her phone, Seo-yeon discovers an old cordless phone in her home. When she uses it, she receives a disturbing call from a woman claiming to be tortured by her own mother, igniting Seo-yeon's curiosity and concern.

Where:Seo-yeon's childhood home
3

Communication Across Time

Seo-yeon learns that the voice on the line belongs to Oh Young-sook, a girl from 1999. The two discover their ability to communicate through time, highlighting the grim circumstances of Young-sook's life as an orphan mistreated by her adoptive mother.

When:1999
4

Revealing Traumatic Past

During their exchanges, Seo-yeon opens up about her traumatic past, which includes the tragic loss of her father in a fire. This event has left a scar on her relationship with her mother, and her blame for the incident intensifies the emotional connection with Young-sook.
5

Changing the Past

Young-sook learns about Seo-yeon's father and the fire that took his life. Determined to help, she sneaks out to prevent this tragedy, altering the outcome of Seo-yeon's present and creating a new reality where her parents are alive and well.

When:1999
6

Seo-yeon's Transformed Life

With the fire averted, Seo-yeon experiences a joyful life with her parents in a luxurious home. However, this happiness comes with unexpected consequences for Young-sook, who faces severe punishment from her adoptive mother for her defiance.

Where:Seo-yeon's childhood home
7

Uncovering Young-sook's Fate

Seo-yeon starts investigating the fate of Young-sook online, discovering that she was ultimately killed during an exorcism. This revelation intensifies Seo-yeon's desire to protect Young-sook from a grim future.
8

Young-sook's Desperate Actions

In a fight for survival, Young-sook takes drastic measures and commits murder as a means to escape her dire situation. This desperate act leads to her being labeled a serial killer, raising the stakes in her and Seo-yeon's conversations.

When:1999
9

Seo-yeon's Family Dinner

In the present, Seo-yeon enjoys a family dinner with her parents, although her thoughts are disturbed by the dark turn Young-sook's life has taken. Tension rises as Seo-yeon reflects on the interconnectedness of their fates.

Where:Seo-yeon's home
10

Father Caught in Young-sook's Chaos

As Seo-yeon attempts to understand the unfolding situation, 8-year-old Seo-yeon and her father inadvertently enter Young-sook's dangerous life while finalizing their house purchase. The situation escalates when Young-sook captures Seo-yeon's father, intensifying Seo-yeon's turmoil.

Where:House purchase site

Show the other 4 events of The Call

11

Desperate Warning

As the chaos unfolds, Seo-yeon finds a chilling message, 'pick up the phone!' scrawled on the floor. This message serves as a desperate reminder that time is of the essence for both her and Young-sook.

Where:Seo-yeon's childhood home
12

Luring Young-sook into a Trap

Seo-yeon discovers vital information about a gas explosion linked to Young-sook's past. Motivated by this revelation, she devises a plan to lure Young-sook into a trap, desperate to save her father and control her own fate.
13

Climactic Confrontation

Tension escalates as Seo-yeon confronts Young-sook in a battle for survival. This climactic showdown leads to violent confrontations that test their resolve and unravel the intertwined fates of both characters.

Where:Seo-yeon's childhood home
14

Mid-Credits Revelation

In a gripping flashback during the mid-credits, Young-sook revisits her earlier intervention that foiled her own demise. This act alters the timeline irrevocably, leaving Seo-yeon's fate hanging in the balance as haunting screams echo.

When:1999

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in The Call?

3 characters, among them Kim Seo-yeon, Oh Young-sook and Eun-ae: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

KS
Kim Seo-yeon

Played by Jong-seo Jeon

A resilient 28-year-old, Seo-yeon grapples with her troubled past as she seeks to rectify the mistakes of time. Her determination to save Young-sook and her father showcases her courageous nature, while also revealing her vulnerability beneath the surface. Driven by love and regret, she embodies the struggle for redemption.
- 👩‍🎤 Protagonist
- 🕵️‍♀️ Investigator
- 🔄 Time Traveler
OY
Oh Young-sook

Played by Jeong-se Oh

Young-sook is an orphan living in a tormenting reality, characterized by her oppressive adoptive mother. Her cunning and resourcefulness come into play as she manipulates time to alter her fate, yet her choices lead to devastating consequences. Her journey serves as a dark reflection of the lengths one might go to for survival.
- 🚨 Antagonist
- 👧 Victim
- 🔄 Time Traveler
E
Eun-ae

Played by Shin-Hye Park

Seo-yeon's estranged mother grapples with the guilt stemming from her past choices. Her character represents the complexity of maternal relationships, haunted by regrets and the burden of her daughter’s trauma. Eun-ae's story adds layers to the narrative, intensifying the familial love and loss dynamics.
- 👩‍👧 Mother
- 💔 Complex
- ⚡ Guilt

Setting

Where and When Is The Call Set?

The Call is set in Seo-yeon's childhood home and the hidden basement (1999). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.

When

1999

The year 1999 serves as a pivotal point in the story, particularly for Young-sook, as it marks her traumatic childhood under the care of an abusive adoptive mother. This time period reflects the struggles of orphans and the dark realities of family dynamics, ultimately shaping the characters' destinies. The ability to communicate across time emphasizes the gravity of their actions in altering their realities.

Where

Seo-yeon's childhood home, the hidden basement

Seo-yeon's childhood home is a dilapidated structure filled with haunting memories and remnants of the past. The hidden basement reveals secrets from previous occupants, providing a glimpse into the lives and traumas that unfolded within its walls. The contrasts between the original home and its transformed version highlight the impact of time and choices.

🏡 House
🔦 Basement

Themes

What Are the Themes of The Call?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Time Travel, Survival and Family Trauma.

01

Time Travel

The theme of time travel is central to the narrative, as Seo-yeon and Young-sook's conversations span across different years. This thematic element explores how actions in the past can significantly alter the present and future, creating a tension-filled narrative of responsibility and consequence. The manipulation of time raises questions about fate and free will.
02

Survival

Survival is a dominant theme in the movie, especially for Young-sook, who is forced to make drastic and violent decisions to escape her grim reality. The lengths to which she goes to protect herself illustrate the depths of desperation that can arise from abusive situations. Seo-yeon's attempts to save her father entwine her fate with Young-sook’s, reflecting the struggle for survival across generations.
03

Family Trauma

Family trauma pervades the movie, showcasing the wounds inflicted by familial relationships. Seo-yeon's troubled past, marked by her father's tragic death and her strained relationship with her mother, contrasts with Young-sook’s experiences of mistreatment. The exploration of these traumas serves to highlight how the scars of the past can influence current family dynamics.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is The Call?

Dark in tone, with fast pacing and a complex story, going by the plot summary.

Tone: Dark
Pacing: Fast
Story: Complex
Intensity: High
Ending: Bleak

A relentlessly tense and psychologically unsettling thriller where communication across time spirals into a desperate fight for survival against a remorseless killer, blurring reality in a dark and oppressive nightmare.