You are here:
Close Calls

Close Calls

2017

Director

Richard Stringham

Runtime

128 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Morgan, a troubled, drug-addled teen, must deal with her crazy grandma and a psycho caller when her father leaves her home alone. As the calls keep coming in, a paranoid Morgan is forced to face some of her worst fears and inner demons when she believes everyone she knows is either plotting against her - or trying to kill her.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

4.7/10

Fair


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film lacks explicit mention of queer identities or non-cisnormative narratives. While the themes of paranoia could allow for identity exploration, no evidence of LGBTQ+ presence is provided.

Gender Representation

Fair

Morgan serves as a high-agency female lead navigating survival without paternal support. The presence of a grandmother suggests a complex domestic hierarchy, though its empowering nature is unclear.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Minimal

The narrative provides no information regarding the racial or ethnic composition of the cast. Consequently, no assessment of racial diversity can be made.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Fair

The story explores domestic dysfunction and substance use, which may critique traditional family stability. However, it is unclear if these are systemic critiques or standard horror tropes.

Disability Representation

Fair

The protagonist's paranoia and troubled state suggest a focus on mental health struggles. It remains uncertain if she is granted agency or if her condition is a mere plot device.

Strengths

  • Features a female protagonist navigating high-stakes survival scenarios independently.
  • Explores complex domestic hierarchies through the inclusion of a grandmother figure.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks explicit representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer narratives.
  • Provides no information regarding racial or ethnic diversity within the cast.
  • Mental health struggles may risk being used as a standard horror trope rather than nuanced representation.

AI Analysis

Close Calls functions primarily as a psychological horror centered on individual tension rather than systemic or intersectional representation. The narrative focuses on a single protagonist's internal struggle and immediate survival threats. While the film avoids traditional gender hierarchies by removing the father from the domestic equation, it lacks broader social or cultural depth. The focus remains on genre-driven tropes like substance use and psychological instability. Without data on the cast's racial or ethnic makeup, the film's ability to represent diverse backgrounds cannot be determined. It appears to prioritize personal terror over social commentary.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.