The Call (II) (2013) User Reviews

A film of two halves.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 9 August 2020]

The first half of the film I'd genuinely give a 10/10, the second half would be more a 6/10.

The first forty five minutes had me utterly gripped and on the edge of my seat, it was exactly what you want from a thriller. The second half becomes a more bog standard thriller, dare I say it, it becomes somewhat silly, the ending is too much.

Berry is terrific, I am such a fan of hers, sadly her character transforms into something a little silly. The villain is rather good, I only wish we got to learn a little of his motivation, sadly they didn't explore it.

It's watchable. 8/10

Great thriller, awful ending

[bobholt27 · 6/10 · 10 May 2018]

The movie started off strong with a great premise, great characters, and a great story. It was all extremely tense and clever. The character was also extremly sympathetic and well developed. It was actually one of the best thrillers I've ever seen and with such a high concept idea. But the third act- it was awful. I have no idea what the writers were thinking. It went from a perfectly good thriller to a cliche gore fest. The third act completely made no sense, erased all previous characters and their development, and dragged on for way too long. The longer it went on the more I hated the entire story arc. Seriously, it gets more ridiculous and ridiculous by the second- as id it was written by two different people. The final line in the movie is so cringey and awful as well. I would have preferred just "the Hive" setting for the entire film. What a disappointment.

Good thriller with a couple of weak spots

[hotsocket · 7/10 · 14 March 2013]

I enjoyed this film quite a bit: it kept a good pace of tension which makes for a good thriller. The acting is good (no academy awards), and it did a good job of giving a glimpse into the operations of 911 call centers which is a fresh topic - and it did so without dragging the pace.

The main bad guy becomes ever more creepy as the plot progresses which helps build the tension. The ending takes an interesting twist which, in the moment, doesn't feel quite as out-of-character as others describe - mainly due to a good segue shot that probably took more than a few takes to get right.

The weak spots consist mainly of some CSI style technology leaps that only technology morons would buy into, and a single bit of clumsiness that just feels scripted. Unfortunately the CSI technology leaps are very popular in Hollywood (to my dismay) and the bit of clumsiness is key to the plot progression.

If one or two minor transgressions make you feel like you wasted your money, wait for it to show up on Netflix. If you enjoy a good edge of your seat thriller and can overlook the transgressions, go see it!

Good Movie Turns Stupid

[hawk_moondance · 6/10 · 11 April 2022]

Others have already told all in spoilers, so I'll just say a smart, capable woman who's very good at her job and has a cop for a boyfriend decides to throw her brain away and act incredibly dumb for the last 20 minutes of the movie. I was riveted until then.

Good Movie... will keep you on the edge of your seat.

[biggdoggreal · 9/10 · 15 March 2013]

This was a good thriller and it sucks you in right from the start. There is no down time and at no point does the movie get slow as many thrillers do. One thing is for sure, You wont be able to take a potty break!

Of course the movie does have some weak points but what movies don't? My main grip would be the ending, it seemed kind of lazy, but I think they wanted to make it somewhat realistic... maybe? This movie is not going to win any awards or anything like that, but it is fun to watch. So, if you enjoy thrillers, you won't be disappointed with this one! So, go ahead and check it out, don't be over critical, just enjoy it for what it is, a fun, on the edge of your seat thriller that will get and keep you engaged from the first minute.

The Call is a well executed,Intelligent,Riveting piece of work

[vishalsmail33 · 7/10 · 7 April 2013]

'The Call' is one of those movies where the feel dictates everything- Either you find yourself deeply engrossed,excitedly anticipating what's next or you feel disconnected and cant sit through it.With 'The call' it's the former.The movie wastes no time in getting things started and once they do,there's hardly a dull moment.The actors are well cast. Halle Berry plays a gutsy 911 phone agent who is desperate not to repeat a mistake made.Frankly she was amazing...way better than i expected.

The movie works because it has it's ingredients well cooked.The acting is superlative,the pace exhilarating.The background score is brilliant and adds another dimension to this thriller.The movie captures perfectly the horror and terror of being a kidnapped victim to a psychopath,the tension of being a 911 phone helper(Who needs to display equanimity,sympathize and be nimble-minded,all at the same time).It is a genuine tale,thrilling,intriguing .......and at times even scary.Definitely worth a watch.Go for it.

Even the few predictable turns of events are delivered with suspense

[wolfgang-a-koch-857 · 9/10 · 13 March 2013]

There is the main character who is good but not perfect, and there is the one mistake she makes that almost destroys her. And there is her nemesis, engaging her at a challenge greater than any she has had to confront before.

The Call models just about all the techniques of good storytelling. Character, plot, action, and suspense—all the ingredients of a good thriller are there, and blended well. Halle Berry gives a superb performance heading a cast that is capable overall. We can sense and feel the story as it happens.

The bad guy is always a step ahead. Except when he is two steps ahead. Except when the protagonist undertakes a bold new move and, if it works…. A big "if," that is.

On a couple of occasions, this movie gives stinging reminders of human fallibility, specifically lapses of good judgment that can cause a situation to deteriorate. We want to beckon the characters in front of us to do certain things, and fast. But they are either too daring or too guileless to anticipate the curveballs that are about to hit them.

Frustrating as that may be, the ending holds a twist gratifying enough to compensate for those frustrations. That even glosses over a certain lack of dénouement—perhaps the one part of storytelling this movie could have used more of. Or was it part of the plan to leave a few things to our imagination?

Engrossing thriller despite a weak closing act

[Buddy-51 · 7/10 · 23 October 2013]

"The Call" is a tidy little thriller, modeled, in large part, on the movie "Speed." Halle Berry plays the Southern California 911 dispatcher who's in a race against the clock to rescue a teenage girl (Abigail Breslin) locked in the trunk of a serial killer (Michael Eklund).

Director Brad Anderson keeps the action going at a breakneck pace, providing pulse-pounding, edge-of-the-seat suspense that helps us to overlook the stray inconsistency and implausibility that wander into the narrative, particularly towards the end (the movie doesn't entirely escape the Third Act curse common to the genre). There's also an unfortunate tendency towards the sadistic that spoils some of the fun.

The really distinctive feature is that writer Richard D'Ovidio has made Jordan, the dispatcher, a compelling, easily identifiable figure by emphasizing not only her strength and craftiness but her insecurity and self-doubt as she does her best to assist people in making it through sometimes unimaginable crises.

The movie is a bit overwrought at times (again, looking at you, last half hour) and it ultimately succumbs to too many serial-killer clichés, but "The Call" is a whole lot better than many of the more highly publicized, big-budget thrillers of recent times.

Loved it - intense and interesting

[hyprsleepy · 18 March 2013]

The Call kept my interest and had everyone wanting to scream at the screen and tell the characters what to do and urge them along. The characters would alternate between overcoming their emotions and rising to the challenge and falling prey to them at just the wrong moment. There was a constant sense of tension during the 911 call and the walk through of getting the girl to safety. Be prepared to feel that adrenaline and tension for longer than your body is normally used to. You may feel just as drained after a call as a 911 operator does...

I really enjoyed the level of detail the film makers put into showing us the world of a 911 operator and what they go through on a day to day basis. It's pretty fascinating. I know I could never do that kind of job. That kind of stress day in and day out has to wear on a person and probably often hardens them.

The ending involves a twist I wasn't expecting, and gains my respect for that, but it was still somewhat disappointing because I wanted it to go further. Those who have seen the movie will know what I mean.

If you found yourself at all interested in the trailer go see this movie! You'll like it!

great movie until the last 20 min

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 25 August 2013]

Jordan Turner (Halle Berry) is a skilled 911 operator. She gets a call from Casey Welson (Abigail Breslin) who has an intruder in the house. She tries to hide but she taken when Jordan reconnects after getting disconnected. Michael Foster (Michael Eklund) is a serial killer with a fetish for hair.

This is a great little thriller. It moves along well. The story is logical. Halle Berry may have overacted on a couple of occasions but her location keeps the movie restrained. Overall, this is a great little thriller until the last 20 minutes or so. The ending is pulled right out of a different movie. It tries to ramp up to a slasher porn horror. It doesn't make sense that Jordan would go there. It's too convenient and ill conceived. Before it turned, it's an 8 but 6 is all I have left for it.

A Refreshing Ride!

[JockStein · 6/10 · 11 July 2013]

Not being a fan of Halle Berry, no foreknowledge of the plot and with zero expectations I sat down to watch "The Call". It did not take long for this edgy little thriller to announce its presence to the viewer. A brutal murder,a serial killer on the loose, a botched 911 response and an operator (Berry) haunted by her mistake. Seeking redemption, she finds herself front and center once again as the killer attempts to procure another victim. Strap yourself in as the tension builds and the movie spirals towards the inevitable yet unexpected climax. Like a rainbow's welcome appearance after a summer shower, this movie was a pleasant surprise.

This is one "Call" definitely worth answering...

[Troy2Slick · 9/10 · 17 March 2013]

It's been quite awhile since I've reviewed a movie, but this one warranted one.

I had seen the previews for this movie left and right over the past few weeks and it did a sufficient job of pulling me in, so I decided to go to to the theatre and check it out. I didn't have too many expectations going in, but were they definitely fulfilled and then some.

This movie has an old-school vibe and feel to it. It doesn't rely on heavy CGI to get it's point across. In fact, it has a very meagre budget, but it doesn't show or feel that way one single bit. I was on the edge of my seat for much of the film. The tension was top notch, the tones were absolutely spot on, the close-ups of the actors and actresses faces showed their true nervousness, stresses and worked effectively.

The story is over the top, but the acting is very good. It's been awhile since I've seen Halle Berry in a film where I deemed her performance to be honest and believable until this one.

Some people may not like some of the camera work during the "cruel" scenes, but I happen to like it.

There were a few unintentionally funny scenes, but I chalk it up to dark comedic moments and it isn't detrimental one bit.

I highly recommend you check this movie out if you love a top notch, edge of your seat, over the top plot, well acted thriller. You will most likely not be disappointed.

9 out of 10 stars, easily!

The Call

[jonasmejdal · 10/10 · 1 October 2013]

This movie will keep you on the edge of your seats. It's definitely one of the best movies I've seen for years. Movies are having quite a hard time making a good impression on me, but this one did for sure. Only great recommendations from here.

It's really intense and it's always giving you the "What now?"-question in your head, which will make you continue watching the movie because you really just want the answer.

Great, action filled scenes with a lot of suspense, - and Halle Berry plays the leading role so great. No one could've done it the way she did.

I still want to mention, though, that you will definitely get a bit frustrated by watching this movie. I don't want to tell you why, but I'm sure you'll have the same feelings as I had when you're watching it. Enjoy!

Keeping it short and simple.

[reidhardi · 4/10 · 24 June 2013]

The Call is good solid entertainment for the first 2 acts. Until the girl is taken out of the car and into the basement, it all goes to hell. The ending makes no sense for the characters and makes me wish that I had left as soon as the hour mark hit, so I could make up my own ending. That way I wouldn't have to sit through ridiculous plot twists and generic meltdowns. Halle Berry was good but her performance in Cloud Atlas was so much better, and that is probably do to the writing and direction. Brad Anderson isn't talentless and perhaps his next film will be an improvement. But the final act just screws this movie up so much. Overall I like the film to the lowest rating I can go and still go positive but the film doesn't deserve anything higher than a 5.5/10

Great story, ending lacked..

[kylehodgetts · 7/10 · 27 June 2013]

The movie had a great story which sends the viewer on an emotional roller coaster and had me truly wondering if the protagonist, played by Halle Berry, was going to be able to help Casey out of her predicament or not. I really enjoyed this picture right the way until the end.

I won't say what the ending was itself but all I will say is that it felt as if they just pulled the power cord on the whole thing without warning and left me in suspense but not the kind of suspense you would expect to be cleared up via a sequel.

If the ending had been handled more efficiently, this would have been a great movie from all angles.

7/10

Capricorn: you'll be having a horrible week...

[Coventry · 6/10 · 14 May 2020]

Sometimes all you need after a horribly stressful week at work (or a depressing Covid-19 confinement, for that matter) is a straightforward thriller tense enough to keep you on the edge of your chair! It doesn't necessarily have to be highly original, innovative or super-intelligent, it simply has to offer good action and adrenaline rushes. In case this is what you seek, I can warmly recommend "The Call". With Brad Anderson ("Session 9", "The Machinist") in the director's seat, you can rest assured the suspense and pace is kept at maximum level. With Halle Berry & Abigail Breslin in the lead roles, there is also more than enough girl-power represented. And, finally, the plot is simple yet effective and identifiable enough to make you feel terrified about this happening to your own loved ones. After spending a day at the mall, 14-year-old Casey (Breslin) gets kidnapped and locked up in the trunk of a car. Fortunately for her, she has an additional cellphone in her back pocket and can alert the emergency services. Unfortunately for 911-operator Jordan (Berry), the phone signal is untraceable and she herself is still mentally recovering from her previous kidnapping call that resulted in the death of another teenage girl. Yes, there are quite a lot of cliches passing by, and particularly the climax requires a tremendous portion of "suspension of disbelief" (must Jordan really succeed where numerous police rescue teams fail?), but in return you at least receive an hour and a half of great entertainment.

Whats with all the hate? I really enjoyed it!

[fatelovesthefearless · 8/10 · 5 August 2013]

I just watched this movie and thought it was really good. I currently have an injury so am on bed rest and have watched a lot of movies lately and am getting bored with lots of them but i found this one to be thoroughly entertaining.

The plot in my opinion was great! It was different from the average thriller and to have it be from the point of view of a 911 operator was very interesting. I think it's a profession that gets over looked a lot so it was nice to show what there lives are like.

I thought the acting was great also, Halle and Abigail both did a great job. And considering Abigail hasn't really done anything like this before i thought her performance was excellent.

Yes like any movie there were some things that if you think too hardly don't make perfect sense and maybe could have been done differently, but it was entertaining and had me in suspense the entire time. I didn't have very high expectations but was pleasantly surprised.

So i think it's definitely worth a go. It's not meant to make you think too hard it's meant to entertain you which is exactly what it does.

A thrilling movie definitely worth a look.

[phil1945 · 7/10 · 18 August 2013]

It's not every day that a thriller truly captivates the audience from start to finish. The Call, directed by Brad Anderson and starring Halle Berry, is a welcomed exception. This fast-paced, clever and exciting film will have you on the edge of your sit until the movie ends, or you fall from your sit.

The plot is straightforward and believable. A young girl named Casey Welson (Abigail Breslin,) gets abducted from the mall parking lot and manages to call 911 from the trunk of the car, that she is trapped in. From then on, it's up to Casey's resourcefulness and will to survive and a 911 dispatcher Jordan Turner's (Halle Berry,) quick thinking and deductive powers to stop this horrible story from reaching its fatal conclusion.

The acting in this movie is worth mentioning. The actors actually make you feel emotions in response to their characters. You worry for, sympathize and root for Casey and Jordan, and despise the kidnapper. I believe that developing a connection with the characters makes the movie worth watching. Would anyone want to sit through a two hour movie in which you completely don't care what happens with the characters one way or another? Probably not.

My favorite aspect of the movie would have to be the fact that none of the main characters use firearms. This is refreshing to see in today's gun friendly and trigger happy culture of the United States. Plus, it makes the movie a lot more interesting.

Be prepared to have all of your snacks and refreshments at an arm's length, because this is not the movie you pause to make popcorn. This is the movie you watch on one breath, and exhale only after the end credits start to roll.

If you are looking for an exciting and emotional thrill ride, The Call is the way to go.

First half is awesome and second half is irritating

[alokranjan_333 · 5/10 · 2 September 2019]

I really like the first half, it keeps you involved but second half has unnecessary plot. Ending could have been different.

This was an Intense,Disturbing,and On The Edge Of Your Seat Movie

[pumpkinspice98 · 10/10 · 16 March 2013]

This movie was excellent. It had me on the edge of my seat more than any other movie I have seen. Halle Berry gave a strong performance and had such great strength and she was very brave. Abigail Breslin never disappoints, she was amazing as well, having to deal with what she was going through, she convinced me she was really about to die. This movie is one of the best movies I have seen so far this year, this is a true thriller, and a very suspenseful movie. It will not disappoint you what so ever. The ending was good to, Halle who plays jordan had so much care for abigail's character that she finds her and fights that freaking freak that took gails character in the beginning of the movie. I just loved this movie so much, so go see it right now, it is very well written, and directed! You will have a blast watching it and you will be on the edge of your seat!

Good suspense

[osj2507 · 6/10 · 20 July 2015]

This is a film that can keep you on the edge of your seat a couple of times, or just keep the suspense much of the time. It has great acting by both the main part Jordan Turner played by Halle Berry, but also the young girl Casey Welson played by Abigail Bresling and the bad guy Michael Foster played by Morris Chestnut are very convincing.

The film has a good pace, a lot of talking back and forth and both the people in the film and us behind the screen trying to figure out what is going to happen next. There are some predictability in it, but not in a bad way and it will have you wanting more at some points.

The ending is a surprise whether you like it or not, is it a good ending or a bad one, well that would be up to yourself to decide, but it is an enjoyable film and worth a watch.

The Definition of a Thriller

[theadeline-75897 · 10/10 · 6 October 2022]

I LOVED THIS MOVIE. It had me at the edge of my seat the whole time. I tend to love movies that have me feeling intense emotions. This SHINED. The first half was impeccable, I couldn't keep my eyes off of it. The camera angles where horrific and so appropriate for this type of film. The ending could have gone so many ways and out of all of them this one was the most "get up and cheer" one. Very unexpected. Not to mention the many moments this movie had where you really don't know what is going to happen, unlike several thriller movies I've seen. Beautiful acting by all and amazing premise my the director and writer. I definitely recommend for those who love a good plot twist!

Good beginning, great middle, silly finish

[leesimon-26357 · 6/10 · 7 February 2021]

My title says it all. If this site gave half-stars, this would have been a 6.5, but it's not quite good enough to be a 7. The acting is very good throughout, but for one inconsequential and irrelevant character (unnamed student) at the beginning. It's shot well, and the story is good. The dialogue is slightly cringy at times, but overall, not completely unbelievable. For me the last act is too stupid to endorse, but given how good the beginning was, I may forget about this ending and watch the movie again in the future. I'd still recommend people watch it, because it was fun, suspenseful, thrilling and well made.

Don't you just hate being put on hold?

[The_moan_of_all_moans · 6/10 · 22 September 2013]

It's a good film; it has moments of real intensity and it gives you an insight into what life may be like for a 911 operator and just how distressing the calls can be. But i just wish they kept that realism about it throughout rather than having the 911 operator do her best Clarice Starling impersonation. That blatant rip off aside Halle Berry is excellent as Jordan Turner; she seems to just immerse herself in the emotional situation; extremely convincing. Abigail Breslin does well playing a tough part and Micheal Eklund has the psychotic expression perfected; looking like he's been hypnotised by insanity; you'll know the face when you see it.

The film constantly accelerates, but instead of rocketing into the sky and giving the audience an explosive ending. They give you a cheap firework that whistles into the air and fizzles away. To relate; they simply put you on hold, but don't ever come back. I don't say this to deter people from watching this film,but i say it to avoid disappointment and prepare yourself for an anti-climax.

6.25/10

Exciting Crime Thriller From the 911 Operator's Point of View

[3xHCCH · 6/10 · 22 May 2013]

"The Call" is a pulsating crime thriller told from the point of view of a 911 operator. Jordan (Halle Berry) takes a distress call from Casey (Abigail Breslin), a young girl abducted from a mall. From there, we are taken on this chilling, nerve-wracking ride of a film along with Casey in the trunk of that Toyota Camry, as Jordan tries to locate her and help her over her cell phone.

I have not seen Halle Berry star in a film for a long time, and this was a good one for her. The pacing and editing under the reins of director Brad Anderson are tight and exciting. I was at the edge of my seat the whole time in the first hour or so. OK, you will recognize several familiar scenes adapted from various crime films in the past. I notably felt a lot of "Silence of the Lambs" in the secret lair of the kidnapper (a disgusting and heartless role owned by Michael Eklund).

The ending sequence though turns a bit corny and uncharacteristic for an even-keeled sensible 911 operator like Jordan. I thought it could have been done in a less contrived way, but this was the "playing for the general audience" way. But hey, I'll take that. If not for that head- scratching denouement (which I bet you actually would expect to happen anyway), this would have been another run of the mill television crime flick.

It may not be anything too memorable afterwards, but I would recommend this film for the heart-racing hour and a half it brings us. This film is a bit of a throwback to old-fashioned crime thrillers when computer- generated special effects were not yet in vogue. This gave "The Call" its gritty look and feel that we do not see much anymore in mainstream movies of today.