It's not often that a sequel comes along more than a decade after the original and simply gets it right. Perhaps the main reason for success in this case, is that both original and re-make were written and directed by the same guy, Fred Walton, so my guess is this guy knew what he was doing. This sequel sets up the same narrative structure as the first film: we get a very tense & well-executed opening 20 minutes (very similar to the first film, but with a different outcome), then during the middle section (5 years later) the story meanders, broadening things a bit. And near the end, we get suckered into another suspenseful climax. This time it's the lovely Jill Schoelen who gets antagonized as the babysitter unaware of what she's getting herself into. We are presented a different killer this time, one a bit more implausible perhaps, but he's cuckoo enough to make him creepy. Carol Kane (as Jill Johnson, the surviving babysitter of the first film; now a university counselor) and Charles Durning (as Detective Clifford) both return in this sequel, and that was a good choice to cast them again. Jill helps mentally scarred Julia (Schoelen) through this difficult time, while Clifford tries to track down the killer. Once again not aiming to shock with bloodshed and/or nudity, Walton focuses on telling a story injected with some suspense and having his capable cast deliver decent performances. Without a doubt, if you've enjoyed the first "When A Stranger Calls" (1979), then this sequel will be a worthwhile watch also. Not a bad accomplishment for a made-for-TV production from the nineties.
Review of When a Stranger Calls Back
When a Stranger Calls Back
(1993 TV Movie)
It's not the same stranger calling, but it's an equally decent movie.
24 October 2011