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When a Stranger Calls (1979)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Grim psychothriller with a few teen urban legends.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The 'hero' is an ex-cop basically being paid to be a hit man (though it's pretty easy to see he's eager to kill this particular fugitive regardless of monetary reward). His old friend on the force secretly assists in the crime. Other characters are basically unpleasant.

  • Violence:

    While the horrific stuff is left to the viewer's imagination, we see flashbacks of the murderer covered in blood. One shooting up close, a bar fight, and a woman nearly strangled to death.

  • Sex:

    Very little, surprisingly for this type of movie, though the insane Curt practically stalks a lady he meets in a bar. We later see him naked (non-explicitly), having a breakdown, alone.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Much drinking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About When a Stranger Calls (1979)

Parents need to know that this movie is violent, though it's almost always kept offscreen. Two small children are killed at the outset. There is additional disturbing imagery of a shooting, death threats, a bar fight, and non-explicit male nudity.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the revenge aspect of the plot. They can also talk about the appeal of horror movies. Why do people like being scared?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    korn111
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0

    not as bad as you would think it would be.

    shouldnt have been rated r should have been pg13. very good movie

    This review...

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  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    islandgal
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 0.0

    IT STANK SO MUCH I CRIED!!!!

    This is the most awsomeLY HORRIBLE MOVIE ON EARTH. A MUST NOT SEE MOVIE!!!! HEHEHE LOL I RECOMEND FOR ANYONE BECAAUSE, I HAVE NEVER EVEN SEEN IT!

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  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    mrs.blackeyedpea ...
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 1.0

    Not as good as the remake.

    this was definenty not as good as the remake. the remake was sooooooooooooooooo much better than this. I recomend the remake so much more. this movie is very boring.

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  4. Adult Reviewer
    undiscovered_sin ...
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Maybe not okay for most 13 year olds, but I handled and loved it!

    This movie is a very mature audience-oriented horror flick, but I've sat through House of Wax, Saw, and Carrie and such, so I absolutely loved it! Being scared is a big hobby of mine, and I've seen so many horror movies, the gore dosen't at all bother me anymore. You have to have a strong stomach to handle this one, but it will remain a classic like Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, another favorite of mine!

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