A roller coaster ride from start to finish and I couldn’t get my eyes to turn away from it. This Korean horror film have been on my watch list for quite some time now, but I always assumed that the premise was sort of like One Missed Call (2003) basing on the title alone, but I was dead wrong. Directed by Chung-Hyun Lee who also proceeds to direct Ballerina (2023) starring Jeon Jong-seo as well.

When The Call started, the first thing that came to mind was Your Name (2016) by Makoto Shinkai, its an anime about 2 different timelines wherein they could interact with each other via body-swapping for a day. In The Call, we also have 2 different timelines and they could talk to each other using a specific phone.

At first it was a heart-warming moment wherein the future could tell the past what a smartphone could do, while the past would ask the future if they still use Walkman. It started with verbal exchange, then it turned to the past writing something on the wall, and it appears in the future. Or hiding something somewhere and the future would find it. I though, “Aww… its just like Your Name.” But I was dead wrong.

The feel of the film was off putting. No gore involved and there wasn’t much added shock value. Just good storytelling. I could however, care less for the effects when everything around her started to change, it was too much effects for me but I guess given that its a Korean film, dramatic sequences are what they’re known for.

Characters

• Seo-Yeon (played by Park Shin-hye), was able to portray that helpless girl, sort of like she’s always the damsel in distress; the ones who only knows how to scream and cry for help.
• Young-sook (played by Jeon Jong-seo) was amazing and I’d say she carried this film on her shoulders with ease. The way she talks, moves and laughs hysterically was top notch. A crazy person’s demeanor suits her character.

Great concept

The idea that 2 timelines exists and flows together (ex. Jan.05,1999 at 5PM is Oct.7, 2015 at 5PM, then they flow at the same time) was great. Personally though, I’d prefer some sort of explanation how they’re able to communicate one another. That was a big plot hole in my opinion.

Tone

The light and playful tone at the beginning of the film towards the middle part was very misleading, but in a good way. Because I really thought that that was it, but slowly it dawned on me what was about to happen. Though a bit predictable, it was still a sight to see it unfold in front of your eyes.

The ending revealed a BIG plot hole

The ending was unnecessary and nonsense, because the timeline of both years flows at the same time. Like I said as an example, Jan.5,1999 at 5PM will be Oct. 10, 2015 at 5PM, and they flow together. Since the time where the mom and policeman came in has come and gone, Yeong-sook wouldn’t be able to call up her past self anymore. UNLESS the director decides to make an alternate timeline (universe) to this. Meaning there are now 2 endings, branching out of the time when the mom and policeman came in.

Conclusion

The Call is a very good Korean horror film and I hope to watch more of them. Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum is another one I really liked. The kills here were not gore, actually not much killings were shown, more like they show what’s about to happen or through sounds we deduce that someone got killed. They certainly played it safe in that regard.

The concept of The Call was great. Music and sounds were on point. It’s more of a psychological horror rather than a serial killer type of genre. Definitely recommending this to all Korean horror fans. Just disregard the end credits end scene, it was very unnecessary. I guess the director wanted that “what the hell happened?!” kind of reaction from the audience.