When a Stranger Calls is well known for two very recognizable things. 1, Have you checked the children, 2, the call is coming from inside the house. Both of these moments happen in the first 20 minutes, though, so what the fuck is the rest of the movie about?
Well, I don't think I'd seen this before and I didn't know the answer to that question. Turns out, an actual dark, layered portrait of a victim and her torturer, including a well written and somewhat well executed portrayal of a serial killer. Color me surprised.
Stranger follows the killer in what is usually a bad move, but because of some cool shots, some good plot turns, and a few excellent dialogue parts, it really works. There's a really remarkable part where the villain escapes and he considers the low chance that would happen. He concludes he must be invisible, invincible, maybe never even have been born. It's a really cool moment where we can see his dysfunction, his beautiful albeit fractured and broken soul.
As Stranger ends, another fun thing is that we have been told the end already, and yet when it happens it is still surprising and shocking. The end is realistic, harsh, and final. Credits roll, and shit, I liked this way more than I expected.
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