Director Timothy Woodward Jr. (Studio City) delivers a chilling horror experience, made even more gripping by an exceptional group of actors. Horror icons Lin Shaye and Tobin Bell take on the roles of Edith and Edward Cranston, an aging couple shunned by their community due to a past incident that left them as social outcasts.
When a group of local teenagers vandalizes their home yet again, Edith takes her own life—but not before setting up a sinister game that allows her to interact with them from beyond the grave.
A town’s darkest secret refuses to stay buried (Photo: The Call/WWE Studios and Troika Pictures)The Call: Story Breakdown
Following his parents’ separation, Chris (Chester Rushing) relocates with his mother to the quiet Midwestern town of Willow Falls. On his first day at school, he crosses paths with Tonya (Erin Sanders), who extends an invitation to meet up later at the carnival grounds.
When he arrives, she introduces him to Zack (Mike C. Manning) and his brother Brett (Sloane Morgan Siegel). As they share cheap drinks and marijuana, Chris learns about Tonya’s missing sister, Laura, who vanished years ago from the Cranston daycare center.
Tonya, along with the entire town, believes that Edith was behind Laura’s disappearance. To ensure that Edith never forgets what she supposedly did, the teenagers have made a habit of vandalizing her home.
That night, Zack, Brett, and Tonya proceed with their usual plan and throw bricks through Edith’s windows, but Chris hesitates and refuses to join in. Soon after, Edith confronts them, making it clear that their intimidation tactics will never drive her away.
If anything, her hatred for them runs even deeper than theirs for her. Later that night, Edith expresses her despair to Edward, revealing just how much the years of bullying have broken her spirit. The emotional toll proves too much, leading her to take her own life.
A few days later, all four teenagers receive an unexpected phone call from Edward, inviting them to his home. Once they arrive, he delivers shocking news—Edith has left her entire fortune to them. However, there’s a condition: they must each go upstairs, dial a specific number, and stay on the call for a full minute.
If they succeed, each of them will receive $100,000. Edward warns them that if anyone hangs up before completing the minute, their share will be forfeited and distributed among the others.
When Chris asks who they are supposed to be calling, Edward reveals that, per Edith’s request, a phone has been placed inside her casket, and they must dial that number. After some hesitation, they agree to participate. Zack is the first to go, followed by Brett, then Chris, and finally Tonya.
How The Call Concludes
Set in 1987, The Call embraces the elements of classic teen horror films from that era. Woodward Jr. meticulously crafts an authentic tribute, from the vintage cars to the big hair and youthful cast. The film delivers well-executed jump scares, but the true horror lies in the eerie atmosphere that lingers throughout the story.
Rumors of Edith being a witch prove to be true—she possesses the ability to communicate with the living from beyond the grave. Edward, still reeling from the pain of losing his wife, takes it upon himself to seek justice for her. When the teenagers arrive at his house, confusion sets in.
While Zack and Brett quickly express interest in playing Edith’s game, motivated by the life-changing money being offered, Tonya is reluctant. Edward eventually coerces her by revealing Edith’s suicide note, which directly implicates all four of them in her death.
The moment they pick up the phone and hear Edith’s voice, they realize they have been trapped. As she later explains to Tonya, hell is not a place of fire and brimstone, as described in religious texts. Instead, it is an eternity spent reliving one’s worst memories.
For Zack and Brett, their hell is being forced to relive their abusive childhood at the hands of their father. Chris is tormented by the tragic day his pregnant girlfriend, Sarah (Ciara Hanna), lost her life in a car accident. Tonya, on the other hand, is confronted with the horrifying reality of her sister’s death.
By the end of the film, all four teenagers are permanently trapped in their versions of hell.
Who Was Responsible for Laura’s Death?
Over time, Tonya has convinced not only her friends but also herself that Edith was responsible for her sister’s disappearance. The truth, however, is far more sinister—Tonya was the one who killed Laura in a jealous rage.
The past haunts those who dared to forget (Photo: The Call/WWE Studios and Troika Pictures)Laura had become the favorite child in their father’s eyes, and the final straw for Tonya was when Edith gifted her younger sister a heart-shaped pendant. The affection and attention Laura received fueled Tonya’s resentment, eventually pushing her over the edge.
One fateful day, she led Laura to a secluded bridge and ended her life there. Knowing she needed someone to blame to avoid suspicion, she falsely accused Edith. Over the years, her relentless accusations and the town’s hatred gradually drove Edith into a state of mental instability, leading to her tragic suicide.
In Tonya’s version of hell, Laura and Edith are there to ensure she suffers endlessly.
Why Did Chris Decide to Stay?
Although Chris manages to break free from Edith’s grip with Sarah’s help, he chooses not to leave, determined to rescue Tonya. This decision proves fatal for him. Overwhelmed by the vision of Chris seemingly conspiring with Edith, Tonya nearly kills him in a fit of paranoia.
Later, Chris shoots and kills Edward when the older man threatens them with a gun. As he attempts to lead Tonya out of the house, they get separated, and she finds herself locked inside the room with the cursed phone. When the door eventually opens, she is gone, consumed by the supernatural forces at play.
Realizing that there is no real escape, Chris accepts his fate. Understanding that no one truly leaves this house, he willingly steps back into his nightmare, surrendering himself to an eternity of suffering.
