When a Stranger Calls

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2:14

When a Stranger Calls

PG-13

2006

1h 27m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

8%

Tomatometer

91 Reviews

43%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Far away from the site of a gruesome murder, a teenager named Jill Johnson (Camilla Belle) arrives at a luxurious home for a baby-sitting job. With the children fast asleep, she settles in for what she expects to be an ordinary evening. Soon, the ringing of a phone and the frightening words of a sadistic caller turn Jill's routine experience into a night of terror.

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Critics Consensus

When a Stranger Calls ranks among the more misguided remakes in horror history, offering little more than a rote, largely fright-free update to the original.

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Nigel Floyd

Time Out

If you've seen either Black Christmas or Halloween, there's nothing new here: the hyped-up score keeps telling us we ought to be scared, but the suspense feels mechanical and fake.

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Matthew Leyland

BBC.com

You know a horror movie's in trouble when the fake scares outweigh the real ones.

Rated: 2/5

May 16, 2006

Full Review

Robert Hanks

Independent (UK)

I can't help feeling that this updating could have been a little more imaginative -- the only wrinkle on the basic plot is that it uses mobile phones.

Rated: 2/5

May 13, 2006

Full Review

Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

There's something nostalgic and comforting about a teen-oriented 2000s studio horror movie, but I wouldn't say that "good" is an adjective to toss in there to describe this.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 9, 2025

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Middling suspense tale.

Rated: C+

Aug 11, 2021

Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

It's a safe dumb film for safe dumb audiences.

Apr 29, 2009

Full Review

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Pinoy Short R

Sakto lang. Napanuod ko na sya dati & inulit lang uli ngayon nung makita sa Netflix. Slow burn sya at hindi para sa mga mainipin. Effective naman un mga gulatan pero ngayon ko lang napagtanto na ang tamad, parang kahoy umakting nung bidang babae

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/31/25

Full Review

Melissa L

The original movie from the '70s will always be a classic, but this remake isn't half bad. It had some tense moments.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/20/25

Full Review

Aluna U

“When a Stranger Calls” is a psychological thriller remake that offers a tense and engaging storyline, effectively building suspense through strong acting and solid cinematography. However, the film struggles with several plot inconsistencies and unrealistic character decisions that may leave viewers questioning its logic. Despite its flaws, the movie remains an entertaining choice for fans of suspenseful thrillers. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com) and (English version : uwiepuspita.com)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/29/25

Full Review

Kathy H

The 1979 original wasn’t the greatest thriller ever made- far from it- but it was a damn sight better than this scare free turkey. Still, I’ll give the remake one thing- the house she’s babysitting in is gorgeous.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/22/25

Full Review

Audience Member

i mean, i turned it off 55 mins in. me letting it go past 30 mins was me having grace. i’ve never seen a ‘horror’ film as horrible as this one. all that breathing she could’ve blown up a cluster lf balloons for a child’s birthday party. i mean really, why would she call the guest house ? he doesnt answer yet the light is on, its clearly the man bothering you; so you tell him you’ve called the police ??????? Un release this movie asap

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/04/25

Full Review

Tom M

This had promise. I thought the direction in some places and cinematography were alright. The house in the woods had a great design. The idea of an anonymous killer outside and inside the house introduces the tension. But...it wasn't very scary. Not good for a horror-thriller, to be honest. Don't call us!

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

Full Review

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Simon West

Director

Camilla Belle

Jill Johnson

Tommy Flanagan

The Stranger

Tessa Thompson

Scarlet

Brian Geraghty

Bobby

Derek de Lint

Dr. Mandrakis

When a Stranger Calls: Official Clip - Death in the Shadows

2:08

When a Stranger Calls: Official Clip - Trapped in the Greenhouse

2:27

When a Stranger Calls: Official Clip - Driven to Madness

2:24

When a Stranger Calls: Official Clip - The Guest House

2:17

When a Stranger Calls: Official Clip - Have You Checked the Children?

2:39

When a Stranger Calls: Official Clip - Nowhere to Run

2:47

When a Stranger Calls: Official Clip - Fighting the Stranger

1:52

When a Stranger Calls: Official Clip - Missing Maid

2:21

When a Stranger Calls: Official Clip - What Do You Want?

2:26

When a Stranger Calls: Official Clip - Car Won't Start

2:43

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When a Stranger Calls: Trailer 1

2:14

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Synopsis

Far away from the site of a gruesome murder, a teenager named Jill Johnson (Camilla Belle) arrives at a luxurious home for a baby-sitting job. With the children fast asleep, she settles in for what she expects to be an ordinary evening. Soon, the ringing of a phone and the frightening words of a sadistic caller turn Jill's routine experience into a night of terror.

Director: Simon West
Producer: John Davis, Ken Lemberger, Wyck Godfrey
Screenwriter: Jake Wade Wall
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Screen Gems, Davis Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Some Language|Intense Terror|Violence)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 3, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $47.9M
Runtime: 1h 27m
Sound Mix: SDDS, DTS, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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