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... 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
Edith Cranston
Tobin Bell
Edward Cranston
Chester Rushing
Chris
Erin Sanders
Tonya
Judd Lormand
Harliss
Mike C. Manning
Zack
Sloane Morgan Siegel
Brett
Randy J. Goodwin
Principal
Brooklyn Anne Miller
Laura
Leah Contreras
Young Tonya
Director: Timothy Woodward Jr.
Written by: Patrick Stibbs