The Call poster

The Call

Movie NR 2020 1h 37m 5.5 /10
Directed by Timothy Woodward Jr.

During a chilly autumn in 1987, a tight-knit circle of teens and young adults find themselves trapped in the house of a menacing pair after a deadly crash rattles their town. What starts as a routine favor morphs into a nerve shredding test of trust when a simple phone call is their only... Read more

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Streaming availability last verified: January 27, 2026

About The Call

During a chilly autumn in 1987, a tight-knit circle of teens and young adults find themselves trapped in the house of a menacing pair after a deadly crash rattles their town. What starts as a routine favor morphs into a nerve shredding test of trust when a simple phone call is their only lifeline. As the night wears on, fear and paranoia sharpen the rules of their emergency request, blurring the line between assistance and danger. Each whispered plan reveals more about the callers as well as the haunted couple guarding the place. Survival hinges on choices made under pressure. Residents whisper of the couple's past, and the house tests loyalty.

Directed by Timothy Woodward Jr., The Call springs from an original screenplay by Patrick Stibbs. The project teams veteran horror performers with a compact, single location setup that leans on dialogue and tension rather than special effects. It features strong supporting work from Lin Shaye and Tobin Bell.

Critics noted the film for its claustrophobic setup and the moral questions raised by a single life or death request. Lin Shaye and Tobin Bell deliver memorable turns, while the period setting adds texture with wardrobe and radio mood that underscore how small towns trade rumors to control outcomes.

Box office numbers were modest, with a worldwide gross around 791,762. The film relied on a limited theatrical run supplemented by streaming to reach its audience, a common path for indie horror that favors word of mouth over blockbuster marketing.

The Call did not garner major awards or nominations, though fans of the cast and genre may appreciate its compact suspense. Its impact rests in a lean setup and capable performances rather than accolades, making it a solid entry for late night horror listings.

Details

Release Date
October 23, 2020
Runtime
1h 37m
Rating
NR
User Ratings
168 votes
Type
Movie
Genres
Horror, Thriller
Country
Canada
Studio
Appreciated Films +4 more
Box Office
$791,762
External Links
View on IMDB

Official Trailer

Cast

Lin Shaye

Lin Shaye

Edith Cranston

Tobin Bell

Tobin Bell

Edward Cranston

Chester Rushing

Chester Rushing

Chris

Erin Sanders

Erin Sanders

Tonya

Judd Lormand

Judd Lormand

Harliss

Mike C. Manning

Mike C. Manning

Zack

Sloane Morgan Siegel

Sloane Morgan Siegel

Brett

Randy J. Goodwin

Randy J. Goodwin

Principal

B

Brooklyn Anne Miller

Laura

L

Leah Contreras

Young Tonya

Director: Timothy Woodward Jr.

Written by: Patrick Stibbs

Frequently Asked Questions

The Call is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, and Peacock Premium. You can also rent or buy it on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

Yes, The Call is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Yes, you can rent on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video or buy on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

With a rating of 5.5/10 from 168 viewers, The Call is a mixed bag - check out reviews to see if it's right for you.

During a chilly autumn in 1987, a tight-knit circle of teens and young adults find themselves trapped in the house of a menacing pair after a deadly crash rattles their town. What starts as a routine favor morphs into a nerve shredding test of trust when a simple phone call is their only lifeline...

The Call stars Lin Shaye, Tobin Bell, Chester Rushing, Erin Sanders, and Judd Lormand.

The Call was directed by Timothy Woodward Jr..

The Call was released on October 23, 2020.

The Call is a Horror and Thriller film.

The Call follows a group of small-town friends who must survive the night in the home of a sinister couple after a tragic accident. A single phone call becomes the turning point, with the potential to change their lives forever.

Lin Shaye plays Edith Cranston and Tobin Bell plays Edward Cranston. Chester Rushing is Chris, Erin Sanders is Tonya, and Judd Lormand plays Harliss.

The story is set in the fall of 1987 in a small town. A group of friends ends up in the home of a sinister couple where a single phone call could be dangerous.

The Call was directed by Timothy Woodward Jr. Patrick Stibbs is credited as the creator.