"The Call": A Time- Defying Connection

You receive a phone call. This is no ordinary phone call; the person on the other end is calling you from the past, from the very house you're living in. At first, the two of you strike up a pleasant conversation, but what happens if you upset them? If they decide to change your reality? And what if this person is filled with malice? This is the premise of "The Call," a Korean film that topped Netflix in 2020. What made "The Call" rise to the top of Netflix, and does it deserve that position?

Produced based on the film "The Caller" (2011), "The Call" tells the story of Seo-yeon (Park Shin-hye), living in the present, and Young-sook (Jeon Jong-seo), two girls living in the same house but 20 years apart, with the phone serving as a bridge connecting them. Initially, they find solace in each other. However, once they realize the extraordinary ability to alter the past that they possess, Seo-yeon and Young-sook's lives start to unravel, veering towards increasingly dangerous and frightening directions as Young-sook pressures Seo-yeon to comply with her sinister intentions.

Fom the moment I read the trailer, I was drawn to the film's unique and creative idea. Firstly, the phone connects an innocent, pure protagonist with a cunning, ruthless character. Secondly, the element of altering the timeline at will, a concept popular with Hollywood screenwriters and general audiences alike, because of its ability to stimulate the imagination. To me, the idea of "The Call" is one of a kind and unlike any film I've seen before. Even when compared to "The Caller," "The Call" surpasses the original in every aspect. I appreciate how screenwriter Lee Chung-hyun uses phone calls to develop the inner lives of Seo-yeon and Young-sook and their relationship, particularly as the nature of their conversations becomes increasingly suspicious and terrifying with each scene. The tense atmosphere is established by meticulous attention to setting, visuals, special effects, and sound, which quickly plants myriad questions in the audience's minds: How powerful is this magical phone in changing the lives of these two individuals? Is there an explanation for its special abilities? Can they use it to win the lottery? And if the phone runs out of battery, does the movie end there? However, to pique the audience's curiosity, I believe the director had to sacrifice many core elements that form a coherent story, which I will discuss in more detail later in this review.

Besides the fresh and intelligent idea, another reason for the success of "The Call" is the performances of the two female leads. First, Park Shin-hye as Seo-yeon, a girl whose life is filled with injustices and who suddenly gets a chance to change her entire life. Here, the audience witnesses Seo-yeon experiencing small joys, like having someone to talk to and share with, and greater happiness, like having a warm, happy family. However, we also have to watch as the foundation of these joys wavers, cracks, and collapses right before Seo-yeon's eyes. Shin-hye has successfully conveyed the emotions of someone going through all these events.

Although Park Shin-hye is the main character, Jeon Jong-seo is the true star of "The Call." Young-sook is a remarkable transformation by the 26-year-old actress, in only her second acting role. Young-sook is lonely, miserable, depressed, and filled with hatred for anyone who dares to stand in her way. I especially liked the soulless, cold, and indifferent look she portrayed, which was even more terrifying and sharper than the knife she used to chop people.

However, for me, an engaging story must be logical, and "The Call" has a ridiculously illogical plot. Ignoring the quick bond between the two main characters, as they are lonely people needing someone to share with, and overlooking the unbelievable coincidences, like Young-sook freely escaping from home yet still staying to suffer, or Seo-yeon's family twice going to Young-sook's house right after their phone conversations, I want to focus on the supernatural aspect of the film. I believe the screenwriter and director of "The Call" created a completely new type of time travel, even daring to sacrifice the film's logic to realize an unprecedented idea. These illogical elements make the plot of "The Call" seem connected but fall apart upon closer inspection.

Overall, "The Call" is a must-watch for those who love supernatural thriller horror films. The movie not only provides tense and thrilling moments but also makes the audience ponder the consequences of their decisions. However, if viewers are too focused on the film's plausibility, they might find it somewhat boring and frustrating.