The Calling

Production: Bernd Eichinger (Executive Producer) — Robert Kulzer (Executive Producer) — Matthias Deyle (Executive Producer) — Yvo Junkers (Executive Producer) — Norbert Preuss (Producer)

Screenplay: John Rice (Writer) — Rudy Gaines (Writer)

Music: Christopher Franke (Original Music Composer)

Cinematography: Joachim Berc (Director of Photography)

Kristie is a happy girl: she has a charming and wealthy husband, a beautiful house, and an intelligent and affectionate son. Her life seems perfect, but appearances are deceiving: the poor woman discovers that her husband is a follower of Satan and is preparing, along with other followers of the Evil One, the advent of the Antichrist who will enter the body of their little boy Dylan. Young Kristie begins to suspect when, in a series of murders, the people closest to her become victims, but when she understands her husband's plan, it is already too late. After several years of absence from cinema screens, the Antichrist returns to incarnate in an innocent child in this horror coproduced by Germany and the United States. The references (and the "copies") from "Rosemary's Baby" and especially from "Omen - the presage" are not lacking in a predictable movie for more than half and confusing in the final part. Some strong scenes (it is a VM 14 years) and a decent cast are the most positive elements of the film; otherwise, too boring... suitable for the nostalgic of the "Omen" series.

Atmospheric but ambiguous tale of the birth of the antichrist

A newlywed woman on the Isle of Man (Laura Harris) becomes increasingly suspicious when her son reveals coldhearted-ness while her friend and boss (Alice Krige) seems to be taking her place. Then there’s the mysterious taxi driver (Francis Magee). What’s going on?

"The Calling” (2000) is a well-made supernatural thriller with the same plot as the contemporaneous “Bless the Child,” but is way more low-key. It mixes the set-up of “Rosemary’s Baby” with the spooky tone and muddled storytelling of “Nomads,” along with bits of “The Seventh Sign” and “The Wicker Man.” Unfortunately, it’s the least of these because it’s the least compelling and the last act leaves too many questions, but I was able to figure things out after getting help online.

I usually like challenging films that make you put the pieces of the puzzle together, but I just didn’t find this one absorbing enough, although the locations and mood are great. I’d put it on par with “To the Devil a Daughter.”

Despite its cartoonish CGI, “Bless the Child” is the better film because it’s more thrilling and sensical.

The movie runs 1 hour, 29 minutes, and was shot in Cornwall and London, England.

GRADE: C

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THE CALLING