The Call

A fun exercise in heavy, atmospheric tension, with an insular atmosphere that doesn't let anything in beyond the character's frame of mind. The main character's performance and the score really held it together for me, seeming to reference older influences like the Twilight Zone while keeping enough variety and inspiration not to be an exercise in nostalgia. With only one character to really hang onto, the film does a good job using details like lighting and sound to push and pull at your sense of certainty. There's no narrator stepping in to set the scene or eulogize the story, so little is for sure except for feelings and the passage of time, and honestly, a lot of films could learn from that. Enjoyed it!

I was lucky enough to catch this film at a festival. When the Call began, I had no idea what to expect. The mood was quiet and somber, as a man sits on a couch clearly waiting for something to happen. Then a phone rings and breaks the silence. The man picks up the phone, clearly nervous, and the viewer hears a sharp unforgiving voice. Little by little, the plot is revealed. A man is desperately trying to save his job, to prove his innocence and show he's being framed by a colleague who wants his position.

I was drawn into this movie immediately. The director Ryan Jafri expertly pulls the viewer into the story and slowly builds the tension and the feeling that something is not right. The lead actor, Tom Martin, does an excellent job of showing his character's emotions and his general unraveling. This movie was gripping, with no wasted shots or scenes. I would higly recommend this short to anyone who likes physiological thrillers.