Calls

Review: Calls (2021)

Score: 9/10

Calls is a radical and breathtaking experiment in minimalist storytelling that proves sound is the most powerful visual of all. Stripping away conventional cinematography, the series presents its narrative entirely through audio logs—phone calls, voicemails, and transmissions—accompanied by hypnotic, evolving waveforms and simple text identifiers on a black screen. The result is not a podcast or an audiobook, but a uniquely cinematic and deeply unnerving experience that earns a near-perfect score for its bold vision and masterful execution.

What Works Brilliantly:

• The Power of Imagination: By removing visuals, Calls weaponises the audience's imagination. The horror, sci-fi, and emotional drama are constructed entirely in the listener's mind, making them more personal and infinitely more terrifying than any CGI monster. A line like "It's standing right behind you" becomes utterly paralysing.
• A-List Vocal Performances: The series boasts an incredible voice cast (including Nick Jonas, Aubrey Plaza, Pedro Pascal, Rosario Dawson, and more) who deliver career-high, audio-only performances. Every breath, hesitation, and crack of emotion is crucial, and the cast is uniformly exceptional, building full characters through voice alone.
• Tight, Efficient Storytelling: Each episode is a compact 15-20 minutes, a perfect length for the intense, high-concept premises. The stories are clever, often involving time paradoxes, cosmic horrors, or domestic breakdowns, and the limited runtime forces a narrative precision that is incredibly satisfying.
• The Waveform as a Visual Language: The dynamic, colourful visualisations on screen are not just decoration; they become a vital storytelling tool. They pulse with emotion, distort with interference, and visually represent the destabilising reality of the characters, creating a surprising and innovative visual-audio synergy.

Why It’s Not a 10:

• An Acquired Taste: The format is undeniably demanding. It requires complete, undistracted attention. Viewers accustomed to passive watching may find it challenging to engage with, and the lack of traditional visuals can be a barrier for some.
• Emotional Distance in Spots: The very cool, tech-heavy presentation can, in a few instances, create a slight emotional buffer, making the tragic fates of some characters feel more like fascinating puzzles than deeply felt losses.

Verdict:

Calls is a visionary triumph. It’s a reminder that true suspense and emotion are generated in the mind, not just on the screen. It’s a tightly wound, brilliantly performed, and ingeniously constructed anthology that will haunt your thoughts long after the final call drops. It’s not just a show you watch; it’s an experience you feel.

Watch if: You love innovative formats, audio dramas, minimalist horror/sci-fi, and stories that demand your active imagination. Skip if: You prefer traditional narrative filmmaking, need visual action, or like to multitask while watching TV. This requires your full focus.