Of all the films I've seen this year, this one surpasses the rest in terms of satisfaction. The ending was impressive, that I had to applaud the characters involved. While revenge isn't typically my thing, watching a psychopath get a taste of their own medicine, without any legal intervention, left me beaming with satisfaction, much like a girl receiving flowers for the first time.
Synopsis
Jordan (Halle Berry) is a seasoned 911 operator who receives a distressing call from a teenage girl, Casey Welson (Abigail Breslin), who has been abducted and locked in the trunk of a moving car. As Jordan races against time to save Casey, she realizes that the kidnapper is someone connected to her past failures, one that made her put a hold on her career. Fueled by guilt and determination, she steps beyond her usual role to stop the serial predator before it’s too late.
Review and Rating
From the very beginning of this film, I was gripped with its high stakes tension. Trust me, it does an excellent job of immersing viewers in the nerve-wracking world of emergency response, with Halle Berry delivering a compelling performance as Jordan, a woman whose calm, professional exterior hides lingering trauma from a previous case gone wrong. I initially watched this film because of Halle’s casting. She’s one name that’s been hyped lately on my TikTok’s FYP so I decided to check out her film and tbh she’s good at what she does.
Abigail Breslin(Had to look up her name) is equally impressive as Casey, capturing the realistic terror of a teenage girl fighting to stay alive. The film’s use of real time pacing also adds to the suspense, making every moment feel urgent and unpredictable. The interactions between Jordan and Casey over the phone are some of the most intense sequences in the movie making it even more realistic and also helps in building suspense.
I especially loved the shift from a tight, procedural thriller to a more traditional revenge driven climax. I admired Jordan’s decision to step out of her professional role and personally confront the kidnapper. I mean why not? Although a particular critic said it pushes the film into a more formulaic thriller territory, slightly weakening the well crafted tension built earlier but, I beg to differ because that scene and decision was epic.
Now let’s talk about the one flaw of the film. It lies in the character of the antagonist, Michael. He absolutely gives a chilling performance but, his character lacks deeper development beyond being a stereotypical serial killer. I craved a backstory. Why was he unto teenage girls? Why did he need their hair? The pictures that were scattered about in his lair, who was in them? These questions if at all answered could have made him an even more compelling villain.
The Call is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that excels in its suspenseful setup and strong lead performances. The film delivers a gripping experience that keeps you engaged until the end. Therefore if you’re looking for a high-intensity thriller with emotional stakes, this one is worth watching.
Rating? 4/5
PS: Directed by Brad Anderson
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