Film Review - The Call (2020)

Interesting concept, mostly over duration of one night with a group of generally nasty teens given an ultimatum that may benefit them financially, if they make it through alive.

Tonya (Erin Sanders) is constantly reminded of her little sister that went missing without a trace laying blame to an elderly couple and their day-care facility.

Victim of pranks through years of harassment by Tonya with her horrible friends, the proprietor Edith Cranston (Lin Shaye) takes her own life, leaving instructions to her grieving husband Edward Cranston (Tobin Bell) to summon the town bullies for a night of paranormal phone calls.

Offered a substantial amount of money in her will, the catch is, the cruel foursome are required to individually give Edith a ring beyond the grave for a conversation, that will either make or break them.

Set during the 1980s, the telephone is a landline, or in this case, direct dial underground.

Two great genre veterans, Lin Shaye (Insidious) Tobin Bell (Saw) bring doses of surreal quality to this unpleasant horror. They share a beautiful romantic moment during one particular early scene.

Sequences involving flashbacks and optical illusions attempt to trigger empathy to their young victims, but all are just so awful (due to above average acting) you want them to be annihilated by the demon spirits.

Spring boarding to stardom, Erin Sanders has come a long way since making generations laugh as Quinn, in Nickelodeon favourite, Zoey 101.

Diverting at times, some good visual effects, ticks most boxes as another manipulative and creepy, Shudder horror exclusive.