When a Killer Calls (2006)

A babysitter begins receiving threatening phone calls from a man who has just killed an entire family.

Director:

Peter Mervis

Writers:

Steve Bevilacqua, Peter Mervis

Stars:

Rebekah Kochan, Robert Buckley, Mark Irvingsen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rebekah Kochan	...	Trisha
Robert Buckley	...	Matt
Mark Irvingsen	...	The Madman
Sarah Hall	...	Chrissy
Derek Osedach	...	Frank
Carissa Bodner	...	Molly
John Rasile	...	Gianluca
Chriss Anglin	...	Mr. Walker
Tara Clark	...	Mrs. Walker
Louis Graham	...	Charlie
Isabella Bodnar	...	Mrs. Hewitt
Cheyenne Watts	...	Girl Victim
Christian Hutcherson	...	Boy Victim
Peter Mervis	...	Police Officer
Leigh Scott	...	Police Officer

Storyline

A babysitter begins receiving threatening phone calls from a man who has just killed an entire family.

---

Plot Keywords:

babysitter | murder | hung by wrists | boyfriend girlfriend relationship | bound and gagged | 

---

Genres:

Horror

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong brutal violence, language and some sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

February 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Babysitter Massacre

Filming Locations:

Lake Arrowhead, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Asylum, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Through most of the film, Trisha wears furry boots. After the killer captures her, we see her tied up in the basement with bare feet, but when she frees herself and runs from the house, Trisha is wearing her furry boots again.

---

Connections

References Dead Men Walking (2005)

User Reviews

Just barely made an average flick!

A lot of people find this movie to be something amazing, but I can't help but feel that the people voting for this film are people upset by the fact "When a Stranger Calls" didn't live up to their horror expectations.

The producer must've got the entire cast and crew to come here and make "kick-ass movie!" comments because, unfortunately, no one with human taste would find this movie to be as good as they claim it to be.

Watching this movie, I just can't help but feel this is done by a 17 year old dude who just learned a couple of new camera effects. The "special effects" in this film come up as high as weak lighting, twitchy cameras, and rain storms that doesn't even seem to cover an entire patio. Seriously, did these people use lamps and hose pipes for these effects? The deaths come up very short to today's standard creative deaths. Nothing but stabbings and slitting throats. And when I say nothing but, I mean it literally. It's 2006, at least someone could've burned! These stabbings (which looks VERY fake, by the way) just don't do for anyone anymore, it's not 1980 anymore.

The characters are all predictable, and unlike it's alternate, "When a Stranger Calls" (which I think this title is only a lure for the emo-kiddies who were upset with the lack of gore from it's alternate), you have no reason to care for these characters. The protagonist, Trisha, comes up nothing bigger than the average blue-eyed teenage blondie with a hottie boyfriend, slutty attitude, and mistaken rep from the adults. She is the character we used to love to see get killed back in the early "Halloween" series. You know, back when characters were stereotyped. The only thing this movie is missing is the shower scene that literally turns into a blood bath.

I do like the idea that this movie gives no mercy to the children. You rarely get to see children die, and if they do die, then you never get to see them actually get killed. It was actually disturbing but never done before. I doubt it'll start a new wave for the horror genre, but it's a good moment to look back on.

The acting was... it was... unnoticeable. It's hard to throw a compliment or a complaint because I doubt you'll be paying attention. Not because the film itself is so engaging but because no one really cares about no name cast. I could easily talk about how the protagnist's, scared reactions and frightening faces come up super short but that would be like trying to prove to someone that a pickle is green.

Overall, the only reason I might've given it this high of a number is because I was air-drunken enough to watch the fake ass looking slashes.