'One Missed Call' (2008)

Plot

The movie begins with a college student named Shelley (played by Meagan Good) receiving a strange voicemail from her own cell phone, dated two days in the future. The message is a recording of her own voice screaming, and ends with the date and time of her death. After failing to take the threat seriously, Shelley dies exactly as predicted in the message.

Following Shelley's death, her friend Beth (played by Shannyn Sossamon) receives a similar voicemail, predicting her own death in just a few days. With the help of detective Jack Andrews (played by Edward Burns), Beth tries to uncover the mystery behind the cursed cell phone and the series of deaths it has caused.

As Beth and Jack investigate, they uncover a dark history of abuse and neglect at a mental institution, where a young girl was experimented on and ultimately killed. The girl's ghost is believed to be behind the cursed phone calls, seeking revenge on those who wronged her.

Characters

Shannyn Sossamon delivers a solid performance as Beth, a young woman who is haunted by the mysterious phone calls and determined to uncover the truth. Edward Burns also delivers a strong performance as Jack, a detective who is initially skeptical of the supernatural elements but becomes a believer as the investigation unfolds.

The supporting cast includes Meagan Good as Shelley, the first victim of the cursed phone calls, and Azura Skye as Leann Cole, a former patient of the mental institution who may hold the key to unlocking the mystery.

Themes

One Missed Call explores themes of technology, death, and revenge. The movie highlights the ways in which technology can be both a blessing and a curse, as the cursed cell phone brings death and destruction to those who receive its messages.

The movie also delves into the idea of death and the fear that surrounds it. The characters must confront their own mortality as they race against time to solve the mystery and prevent their own deaths.

Finally, One Missed Call explores the theme of revenge, as the ghost of the young girl seeks to avenge the injustices done to her by those who were supposed to care for her.

Critical Reception

One Missed Call received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics, with many criticizing its lack of originality, weak script, and poor performances. The movie was also criticized for its reliance on jump scares and gore, rather than building genuine suspense and tension.

Despite its poor critical reception, One Missed Call was a modest box office success, grossing over $45 million worldwide.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, One Missed Call is a mediocre horror film that fails to live up to the standards set by its Japanese predecessor. While it may provide some scares and thrills for fans of the genre, it ultimately falls flat due to its weak script and lack of originality. However, the movie does explore some interesting themes related to technology, death, and revenge, which may be of interest to those who enjoy horror movies with a deeper message.