Tödlicher Anruf (2008)

Several people start receiving voice-mails from their future selves - messages which include the date, time, and some of the details of their deaths.

Director:

Eric Valette

Writers:

Andrew Klavan (screenplay), Yasushi Akimoto (novel)

Stars:

Edward Burns, Shannyn Sossamon, Ana Claudia Talancón

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shannyn Sossamon	...	Beth Raymond
Edward Burns	...	Det. Jack Andrews
Ana Claudia Talancón	...	Taylor Anthony
Ray Wise	...	Ted Summers
Azura Skye	...	Leann Cole
Johnny Lewis	...	Brian Sousa
Jason Beghe	...	Ray Purvis
Margaret Cho	...	Det. Mickey Lee
Meagan Good	...	Shelley Baum
Rhoda Griffis	...	Marie Layton
Dawn Dininger	...	Monster Marie
Ariel Winter	...	Ellie Layton
Sarah Jean Kubik	...	Monster Ellie (as Sarah Kubik)
Raegan Lamb	...	Laurel Layton (as Regan Lamb)
Karen Beyer	...	Mrs. Ford

Storyline

After the death of their friend Shelley, Leann Cole receives a voice mail from the future of the date and time when she would die. On the scheduled day, Leann sees weird things and in the precise informed hour, Leann is attacked by a supernatural force on a footbridge over a train station while talking to her friend Beth Raymond. Beth meets Leann's boyfriend Brian, who also received a call, and witnesses his death on the street. When her roommate Taylor Anthony receives a call, Beth befriends Det. Jack Andrews, who tells her that his sister was the first victim of the phone call. They decide to investigate the connections of Jack's sister and find the name of Marie Layton, who apparently abused of her daughters. Jack and Beth run against time trying to save Beth from her fate.

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Plot Keywords:

death | voice mail | lifting someone into the air | telephone | telephone call | 

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Taglines:

What will it sound like when you die?

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and terror, frightening images, some sexual material and thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [United States] Warner bros [Brazil]

Country:

Japan USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 January 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tödlicher Anruf

Filming Locations:

191 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$27,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$12,511,473 (USA) (4 January 2008)

Gross:

$26,876,529 (USA) (7 March 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alcon Entertainment, Missed Call Productions, Kadokawa Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jason Horgan was originally considered for the part of Ray Purvis, but the producers felt that he was too young. The part went to Jason Beghe, and Horgan was cast as Dr. Ken Brown.

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Goofs

When Beth and Taylor are woken up because their cell phones (which don't have batteries in them) ring, Beth says the call came in at 7:32 PM, but the phone shows the time to be 8:32 PM.

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Quotes

[in a church, referring to the crucifix]
Ted Summers: Make sure Jesus is centered! All right?

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Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: Ashton Kutcher/Gnarls Barkley (2008)

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Soundtracks

Il Mystera Del Tempo
Written by Barry Andrews and Carlo Asciutti
Performed by Shriekback

User Reviews

I'm dying for a good horror movie!

Of all the atrocities I've seen on the big screen, this flick just might be the worst. Combining poor story-telling, bad characters, and laughable special effects, One Missed Call is pure crap. As much as I hate to slam something with the lovely Shannyn Sossamon in it, I can't stop myself with this. Poor choice, Ms. Sossamon.

The only thing the film does decently is building up suspense, and there are some intense moments. But then the pay-off is so cheesy I found myself laughing. And the story doesn't even make sense, especially with an ending that kills any possibility of reality.

Horror has really seen a downfall in recent years, but this film is the worst. It seems that intelligent thrillers/horror films have completely left the market. With torture porn films like the Saw franchise taking over the marketplace, wonderful movies like 2006's The Descent are rare triumphs. I want more of those. 2/10 stars.

Jay Addison