When a Stranger Calls

Starring: Camilla Belle, Katie Cassidy, Tommy Flanagan, Tessa Thompson, Brian Geraghty, David Denman
Directed by: Simon West
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Horror, Thriller
2006

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary:
A girl (Camilla Belle) is babysitting for a family, when she begins receiving threatening phone calls. She begins to believe that the calls are not just a prank, but from someone who is trying to do her and the children harm.

Review:

Tim: I assumed that I would not like this movie at all. It's a horror remake of a somewhat important horror film from the late 1970s. While it is occasionally cheesy, and often not great, there is enough here to entertain horror fans. Even better, it is mostly void of the gruesome, disgusting murdering that is so often found in modern day horror films. This is much more of a psychologically thrilling movie, which is far better.

Camilla Belle is good in her role. She didn't have a great deal to do besides look scared and answer the phone. She does this quite well, so I suppose she puts in a good effort. She won't be winning any awards, however. The rest of the cast is fairly weak. This movie is fully about Belle, however.

The movie does a good job of balancing out the scares. They come at fairly unexpected times. The movie does occasionally get too predictable, but this doesn't necessarily detract too much from the film. The movie eventually gets to its conclusion. This is fairly suspenseful. It's not revolutionary, but it will at least keep you interested. When a Stranger Calls does enough right to ensure it's not a terrible movie. There are a few enjoyable moments, and a few decent thrills. It's bad, but it could have been far worse.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 6



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: When a Stranger Calls (1979), 10,000 B.C., The Quiet