Not to say The Call doesn't have its merits. It does. The premise is fairly original when all's told, and there's a pretty strong moral message as well. These elements, along with some pretty strong acting, raise The Call above a lot of the other recent horror releases we've seen.
The Call takes place in 1987, and finds a group of friends playing a sinister game after a tragic accident brings them to a couple's door. That's the simple, Cliff's Notes version of the tale, as there's a lot more going on beneath the surface.
Each of these friends has a tragic backstory which is fleshed out during the night as they partake in an eerie phone call that literally reaches beyond the grave. This is a pretty cool idea, and some of the material is well presented.
Sadly, all the stuff I look for in a horror movie doesn't kick in until the final act. In terms of scares, this is the strongest part of the picture. I did appreciate the movie taking its time to get going, and introducing us to the characters, but most of them are pretty unlikable, and I'm kinda glad they got what they had coming to them.
Aside from Bell and Shaye, who are awesome, I found Erin Sanders the strongest performer. Right from the get go, you can tell something is up with her character, and Sanders portrays that nicely, along with a kind of tough vulnerability.
The Call makes for a decent Friday night watch, and I enjoyed it the one time. It's not something I'd catch again, so I've got to give it a Bad, but horror fans should dig it.
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