Directed and written by Chad Ferrin, Night Caller is a devout horror fan’s tribute to the genre, with heavy influences of Giallo, grindhouse films, and the classic slashers of the 1970s and 1980s.

Night Caller, starring Susan Priver (Serving Up Richard), Robert Miano (Fast and Furious), Bai Ling (The Crow), and Steve Railsback (Ed Gein), follows telephone psychic operator Clementine (Priver), who’s thrown into a living nightmare when she has visions of a serial killer’s horrific murders. With the help of her boss Jade (Ling) and her father Charles (Miano), Clementine peruses a heart-stopping race against time to stop the killer.

Right from the beginning, the purposeful grainy film style of Night Caller and filming in gritty locations of Los Angeles gives the film a 1970s grindhouse look. As the film progresses, the bold use of colors from fluorescent neon lights to the redness of the blood appears to be a tribute to the color signatures in the Giallo films of Mario Bava and Dario Argento. Most notably the neon color schemes of Inferno and Blood and Black Lace, and the boldness of red in Deep Red and Bird with the Crystal Plumage. The kills also add to its nostalgic feel, with some paying homage to iconic horror classics such as Manic, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Dressed to Kill, and Psycho.

With the rise of horror cinema highlighting older women as the leading ladies, such as Halloween Kills, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Manor, Night Caller also honors the strength of an older woman. Clementine finds the courage and strength to chase the killer, despite her uphill struggle to put her life back together after severe trauma. Her determination is a driving force of the film.

Though it’s a common trope in cinema to show dysfunctional relationships between parents and their adult children, it’s noteworthy how Night Caller portrays a respectful and loving relationship between a woman and her elderly father. They encourage, care for, and protect each other, despite the challenges they both face. Neither treats the other as a subordinate, but as equals, with a playful sense of humor.

Like the traditional Giallo and grindhouse films, there is clunky dialogue and exaggerated acting. While it appears that the dialogue is intended to be the main storyteller of Night Caller, there are scenes where the dialogue is attempting to get in as much plot as possible, leading to its clunky feel. Ling’s overacting for Jade can be distracting from her character’s sisterly love and concern for Clementine. However, these could be done intentionally to further emulate these genres.

What would further add to Night Caller’s strong 1970s grindhouse film nostalgia, would be the inclusion of the beloved grindhouse “Our Feature Presentation” film introduction at the beginning of the film.

Overall, Night Caller is a sincere love letter to 1970s horror. Creating a surreal environment that feels both modern and classic, like a neo-noir film. By spreading several classic horror Easter eggs and references throughout the film, it gives Night Caller a playful feel, while also combining the thrills of a vintage slasher.

Night Caller will be available on May 13 on VOD.

7 out of 10