The Caller

So it's official, I either don't understand this site, or I don't understand the way people who vote/rate here think. The Caller just might be the most underrated Horror film of 2011, or even ever! So please let me start by recommending that you don't let yourself miss out on it, as you could easily find one million films that would be less fun to watch.

The plot is realistic and relatable, slightly feminist but not in an annoying criticizing way (I hate seeing socio-political agendas and messages in fiction films, regardless of what they are). Mary has recently left her abusive husband and is now living alone in a new apartment. Great acting by Rachelle Lefevre, who is very different than your usual "blond with blue eyes" in Horror films.

As for the story - one of the best most original ideas I've ever seen in a Horror film. Perhaps the idea has been done before, but it's been a first time for me. Many Horror films attempt to make the audience scared and uncomfortable by relating to the terror and despair that are felt by the characters. The Caller does that in a remarkable way that is both original (even if not ground breaking) and immensely effective! That's the way to connect cross-time from Sc-Fi to victim control in Horror!

The cinematography is slightly disappointing, and some of the shots simply appeared a little amateur, as if done by someone not very comfortable with a camera. However, the profound audio effects really make up for it, I really liked them! And to top it all - not one of the annoying overused cheats appear! No visible silicone breasts, no death on account of car not starting, not even an inability to communicate due to a cellphone having no signal! Not to mention there's no use of the corny "sudden loud music to make you jump". There are a few scenes with quiet, close-up and then sudden noise, but delicately and gently done.

All in all - I don't like rating films too high, nor too low. I always look for shortcomings on account of being a pretty easy grader. The Caller, in my opinion, deserves a heck of a lot more recognition and compliments than it's been given. I loved every second of it, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a truly well made Horror film.

I had very little expectations from this film. It didn't look like it had much of a budget and no actors that I'd heard of (okay, so I sort of recognised the main woman from Twilight, but that was about it). However, in this case, less is slightly more (or at least slightly more than the average dross that infests modern horror films).

I wouldn't call The Caller a horror, more of a supernatural thriller. It's about a single woman (aren't they all?) who gets some mysterious phone calls. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but it presents a pretty creepy premise which finds her trapped in a spiralling cycle of torture and paranoia from a very nasty supernatural adversary.

The Caller is a 'slow burner.' This is why it's probably not for everyone. Nothing too out of the ordinary happens in the first half and I can see a lot of people giving up before it really gets going. However, the second act cranks it up a gear and the torment really begins. There are no major scares or gore to speak of; it's more a case of inescapable mental torture.

If you can put up with your films a little slower than normal and without any action, effects or gore then give it a go - all performances better than your average horror/supernatural flick and a slightly different premise which really works.

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After having seen thousands of films, most of them horror, one tends to get a little jaded. Especially with the turn the genre took to torture porn ( with saw on the very end of the positive side of the spectrum and films like hostel on the very negative part) i got a bit tired of the whole circus.

And then, just when you officially are ready to give up and kill the odd hours with rubber sharks or other pests brought to you by SciFi a movie like the caller comes along.

I never gave a 10 rating to any film,but this one does it right, to tell anything about the plot and developments within is a crime. This movie has to be seen and experienced. The basic plot rundown is giving away in other reviews so I wont comment on that. Enough to say this is one scary flick, its smartly written..chills and thrills.

Go see it now, if you need a fix of spine tingling instead of blood pouring out of your TV set and body parts flying around.

See it, now!

When I watched this movie almost 9 years ago, I loved it and I remember the plot and helplessness of the main protagonist, and how well it was made, every now and then. Watching the Korean remake (how to turn tables...), I think this one is weaker but still such a nice and well made little movie. It works well as a thriller and drama. I suggest you to watch the Korean one first, and then this one, both are well worth of your time.

I totally agree with the other reviewers that say that the film is not your average horror, it draws you in and is very clever and is a very good film of the horror genre without being a total cop out in the slasher come blood guts type, and its the story line that gives it its power, excellent.I know of a lot of this type that do not deliver in the way that you wish, but this film does not operate in the visceral way ,its more of the mind and makes you think more of what comes next, believe me , this film is better than most run of the mill films of this type.

horror films and I would recommend it most highly to anyone that appreciates intelligent but not over the top dark, but not total degenerate films of that ilk, I hope this has helped your choice.