The Caller

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.

"People come together for a reason Mary, doesn't matter how." After starting divorce proceedings against her husband Mary (Leferve) starts a new life in a new apartment. After a series of phone calls from a woman they begin to talk about their situations. When the woman acts on an off-handed remark by Mary she begins to rethink the friendship. When people she knows start to disappear she doesn't know how to make it stop. 90% of the way you feel about a movie, I think, has to do with your expectations going in. Movies like "Bridesmaids" with all the hype can really let you down after it's talked up as much as it was. This one is the total opposite. Never hearing of this the trailer seemed interesting so I watched it. I was blown away. A very neat (although not original) idea. Think a suspense version of the "Lake House". I don't want to give anymore away so I will end this, but this is a surprisingly good must see. I really liked this movie. Overall, a very tense and exciting suspense that deserves more of an audience that I'm sure it will get. Watch this! I give it an A-.

Would I watch again? - I think I might *Also try - Forget Me Not & Lake House

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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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.

Rachelle LeFevre is very good in the role as a displaced, recently divorced student in S. America wanting to make a new start and get away from abusive ex-husband.

The cinematography is very evocative, moody and suspense provoking. She is in San Juan, Puerto Rico and meets a handsome teacher Gianni Guidi, who becomes friendly toward her. Meanwhile she gets harassing calls via an ancient telephone in her apartment. An old woman, who seems at first to need help, but ten other developments ensue.

Luis Guzman has a good cameo here as sometime maintenance/owner of apartment building she lives in

There are twists and turns, the dog, the sudden appearances of sadistic ex-husband (reminds me a bit of "Sleeping with the Enemy" in beginning). However, do not tune this film out, there are Hitchcockian elements to it and the screenplay is well-written and not over the top.

The visuals are excellent and well worth watching. Don't give up on the premise, it works in the end and there are some beautiful shots of Santa Margherita cemetery. Gothic and interesting. 9/10.