When Death Calls

When Death Calls is a 2012 psychological horror film directed by Jim Haggerty and starring Suzi Lorraine, Tina Krause, and Nathalie Bryant. The movie intricately combines elements of horror, suspense, and mystery, causing a bone-chilling experience for viewers.

The film revolves around a college campus located in a quiet suburban place. The tranquility is shattered as strange, supernatural events unfold and a sinister shadow descends on the community. Suzi Lorraine plays the role of Molly, an intuitive professor with a taste for the occult and arcane knowledge. She is deeply engrossed in studying paranormal activities and dark arts, which play a significant role in the movie's plot.

When an eerie board game mysteriously shows up, the plot takes an unnerving turn. Molly, her students, and some friendly neighbors engage in a seemingly benign game, completely oblivious to the nightmare that awaits them. As they begin to play the board game, they unwittingly invite an unknown and evil presence into the campus. Tina Krause plays the part of one of the students who participates in this deadly game, while Nathalie Bryant is one of Molly’s coworkers, but her skepticism about the supernatural is challenged as events unfold.

As the game progresses, the players are compelled to answer intimate questions, causing secrets to be revealed and personality clashes to ensue. However, beneath this surface-level drama, something more sinister is happening. As they play, each decision they make within the game seems to have repercussions in reality, pulling the group into a web of terror they can't escape.

The film’s atmosphere is well-maintained, enveloping viewers in an uncomfortable sense of impending dread. The horror is punctuated with impressive performances by the ensemble cast, including Suzi Lorraine, Tina Krause, and Nathalie Bryant. Lorraine, in particular, draws viewers in with her gripping portrayal of Molly. The curiosity and brave defiance she brings to her role adds depth to an already intense plotline.

The campus becomes the centerpiece of the story, with background settings that range from serene daylight scenes to incredibly eerie night shots. The movie expertly uses its background score to perpetually increase the tension whilst the visuals stimulate fear and suspense. This, combined with cleverly staged scare scenes, creates an indelible horror experience.

From a narrative perspective, When Death Calls stands out with its unique take on paranormal horror. It shrewdly uses the spine-chilling appeal of supernatural events and combines them with the personal dramas and dark secrets of a seemingly everyday group of people. It goes beyond conventional jump scares to play with psychological fears, contributing to an undercurrent of gnawing terror.

Director Jim Haggerty masterfully manipulates his audience by keeping the plot's details opaque and the actual source of the horror ambiguous. From the foreboding board game to the disturbing events happening around them, Haggerty weaves an intricate tale of fear and psychological disturbance. The film avoids lazy horror cliche and pushes boundaries in terms of its suspenseful storytelling.

When Death Calls is more than a typical horror movie. The central theme subtly explores how we, as human beings, often shield our personal secrets from others, and how baring those secrets can spawn terror and conflict. The narrative is thought-provoking, revealing how our deepest fears can become a source of dread and may indeed be more terrifying than any supernatural presence.

In conclusion, When Death Calls is an exceptional addition to the psychological horror genre. It scares not just with its supernatural elements, but also by highlighting the human psyche's inherent fears. Stellar performances by Suzi Lorraine, Tina Krause, and Nathalie Bryant increase the momentum of an already suspenseful plot. The film challenges common horror tropes and offers a unique narrative unlike any other, making it a must-watch for horror film enthusiasts searching for a refreshing change.