The Spine-Chilling Apple TV+ Series ‘Calls’ Starring Pedro Pascal and Aubrey Plaza Will Haunt You With Sound Alone
The human imagination is a double-edged sword—capable of crafting beautiful art and groundbreaking technology, yet equally adept at conjuring chilling nightmares. Filmmakers like Alfred Hitchcock mastered the art of psychological terror, using subtlety to allow audiences to terrify themselves. His iconic Psycho shower scene, devoid of explicit violence, relied on sound, music, and quick cuts to etch horror into cinematic history.
Apple TV+’s ‘Calls’ taps into this same psychological mechanism, delivering bone-chilling thrills without elaborate visuals. Instead, it leverages the power of sound and minimal abstract imagery to immerse viewers in a terrifying auditory experience.
‘Calls’ Paints Horror With Soundwaves
Directed by Fede Álvarez, the creative mind behind Alien: Romulus, ‘Calls’ reimagines horror storytelling. Adapted from a French series by Timothée Hochet, this Apple TV+ original unfolds across nine short episodes, each lasting between 13 to 20 minutes. The entire narrative plays out through phone conversations, blending the essence of a podcast with the haunting atmosphere of a supernatural thriller.
At first, the phone calls seem ordinary. But as each episode progresses, a sense of dread creeps in, unraveling eerie and inexplicable phenomena. Despite their seemingly unrelated nature, the stories eventually intertwine, revealing a disturbing shared fate. Think War of the Worlds radio broadcast meets Black Mirror — but far more immersive.
One episode follows a woman dialing 911, reporting an intruder. Her terror mounts as she describes the figure—inhuman, with unnaturally long arms. Another tale revolves around a man arguing with his wife, only to learn that six months have passed in what felt like mere minutes. A pilot’s emotional call with his daughter takes a harrowing turn as his plane hurtles towards disaster. Each scenario blends the mundane with the supernatural, forcing viewers to construct their own terrifying visuals.
Star-Studded Voices Lend Depth to ‘Calls’
If the voices in ‘Calls’ feel familiar, it’s because the series boasts a stellar lineup. Pedro Pascal, Aubrey Plaza, Lily Collins, Karen Gillan, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson lend their talents to this audio-driven thriller. Despite the lack of on-screen presence, their performances deliver the emotional weight and nuance essential for such a unique format.
The vocal performances are reminiscent of classic radio dramas, where inflection, tone, and pauses convey the unspoken horrors lurking beneath the surface. This commitment to character is crucial, allowing ‘Calls’ to resonate deeply with audiences.
The Terrifying Simplicity of ‘Calls’
The brilliance of ‘Calls’ lies in its simplicity. Without the crutch of elaborate visual effects, the series relies on the viewer’s imagination to fill the gaps. This taps into personal fears and phobias, creating an experience uniquely unsettling to each audience member.
‘Calls’ is less a series and more an auditory descent into fear—an audiobook of nightmares. Whether you watch it with the lights on or off, the terror unfolds in your mind.
Streaming now on Apple TV+, ‘Calls’ promises to be an unforgettable horror experience.
WATCH ON APPLE TV+
‘Calls’ Overview
Genre: Drama, Animation, Horror
Rating: TV-MA
Release Date: March 19, 2021
Cast: Aubrey Plaza, Clancy Brown, Nika Futterman, Matt Lauria, Salli Saffioti, Joey King, Paul Walter Hauser, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Seasons: 1
Prepare to listen closely—because sometimes, what you can’t see is far scarier than what you can.
Also Read: Martin Short Inducted Into SNLs Exclusive Five-Timers Club with Star-Studded Surprise
My Name is M Anas. I am a passionate blogger with a knack for sharing insights on technology, autos, Mobile Phone, etc. With a creative flair and a commitment to delivering engaging content, Anas aims to inspire and inform readers with unique perspectives and well-researched articles.