Call me a pessimist, but the global outlook for 2024 doesn’t look too good. Between climate change and the rise of extreme populism in several countries, it’s likely to be a turbulent year. A return to normal may never be likely. Considering these challenges, it’s unsurprising there have been so many apocalyptic movies lately. First Time Caller, based on the podcast The Earth Moves, is a rather restrained end of the world scenario, but no less unsettling in what it manages to do during its lean runtime with a limited budget.

Directed by J.D. Brynn and Abe Goldfarb, with a script by Mac Rogers, the film stars Goldfarb as shock jock Brent Ziff, star of the controversial podcast Brent Free. This character loves to push buttons. He rails about everything from gender identity and pronouns to education. Yet, he also fends off a slew of callers that spew antisemitism. In his studio, he has a poster with tape over his mouth and cancelled written over it. We’re all familiar with media personalities similar to Brent, who make a whole lot of money through division and anger. The first third or so of the film features Brent in his studio, taking one call after the next. It does become a little tiring after a while, especially since this type of character is all too familiar, especially in this intensely divided political and social climate when the culture wars have roared to life yet again.

However, the film becomes much more interesting when a mysterious caller Leo “Shorty,” voiced by Brian Silliman, phones in. Initially, Leo seems like some of Brent’s other callers, bemoaning the fact a woman won’t give him the attention he feels he deserves. From the get-go, something does seem a little off about the caller, but the situation grows more bizarre when he starts predicting end times scenarios, specifically tsunamis that wipe out one part of the world after the other. Leo calls again and again, staying on the line with Brent, forecasting which area will be wiped out next.

If anything, First Time Caller somewhat resembles the 2008 Canadian film Pontypool, which also features a small cast, radio studio, and doomsday scenario. Here, it’s interesting to see the evolution of Brent’s character, from a cocky shock jock to someone generally fearing the world’s end. His fame can’t stop it. In one scene, he ducks as a neighbor shines a cell phone light into his home, seeking help. In another moment, he expresses genuine concern and emotion that he may never be able to speak to his ailing mother again. Meanwhile, there’s also the character of Leo, who we never actually see. Still, his phone calls become more and more unnerving, especially as his predictions ring true.

First Time Caller never feels hamstrung by its tiny cast or budget. While Pontypool may have played with this concept better, this feature still manages to be riveting, entertaining, and harrowing. With each year ushering in one climate catastrophe after another, and with such global political instability, First Time Caller unfortunately feels all too relevant.

6.5 Out of 10