Within the vast digital library of Tubi, I stumbled upon a cinematic gem that sparked an odd sense of déjà vu. Chad Ferrin (the creative force behind Parasites ) once again delivers a film that demands attention: this time it’s a movie called Night Caller.
A quick disclaimer: Night Caller isn’t for everyone. It’s messy, eccentric, and soaked in grindhouse grit. But that’s also exactly why it’s worth your time.
Night Caller follows Clementine, a phone psychic with an extraordinary ability of receiving premonitions from her customers. During what begins as a routine call, she experiences visions of future murders. Suddenly, she’s pulled into a deadly cat and mouse game with a relentless serial killer, setting the stage for a heart stopping race against time.
Ferrin leans hard into the 70s aesthetic, from the super 16mm grit, the framing, down to the atmosphere. It’s pure grindhouse revival, and while the plot occasionally loosens and veers into over the top territory, the look and energy keep you hooked.
The acting is a mixed bag. Robert Miano stands out, but much of the cast shifts between scene chewing theatrics and consciously B movie performances. That said, it’s part of the film’s charm. This isn’t prestige horror, it’s pulpy midnight cinema.
Night Caller also shines in its practical gore. Effects are gruesome and tactile, and Ferrin balances the blood with a streak of dark humor. The result is surprisingly atmospheric, never letting you forget that this is both a horror film and a sly nod to exploitation cinema.
Night Caller is eccentric, flawed, and quirky, but it’s also suspenseful, gory, and memorable. If you’re into the offbeat, have an appreciation for grindhouse aesthetics, and don’t mind intense gore, consider this a hearty recommendation.
For horror fans willing to take the call, Ferrin’s film is a wild, blood-soaked ride into the strange and the macabre.