The Calling is a subtle yet dark thriller starring Susan Sarandon as an aging detective called Hazel Micallef who is the chief of police in a small Canadian Town. She is a pill popping heavy drinking police officer who at first glance appears disinterested in the life in her small town. This changes when two murders occur within a space of three days. Soon her and her colleagues (Gill Bellows and Topher Grace) are convinced that there is a serial killer (Christopher Heyerdahl) stalking and mutilating devout Catholics throughout Canada.
It becomes apparent to Hazel upon a consultation with a priest called Father Price (Donald Sutherland) that the murders are based on ancient Christian Myths and writings regarding resurrection. No one has picked up on this as the killer disguises his acts by making some of them appear like suicides and mutilating other victims in different ways.
Major Spoilers Ahead: What makes this film slightly different to the usual serial killer fare is the fact that the victims offer themselves as sacrifices in order to save their souls whilst the killer believes he is a healer who will resurrect someone by offering 12 willing sacrifices. So it's not the usual predator stalking the prey idea that is the norm in films dealing with serial killers.
Overall, this movie is somewhat slow paced and not action packed, but it is still worth watching due to the acting from Sarandon, Grace, Sutherland and Heyerdahl amongst others. The story itself is not bad and might interest someone who is looking for a dark and slower paced film which does not have car chases, gun fights or explosions galore. I would rate it between a 6-6.5/10. Worth checking out.
It becomes apparent to Hazel upon a consultation with a priest called Father Price (Donald Sutherland) that the murders are based on ancient Christian Myths and writings regarding resurrection. No one has picked up on this as the killer disguises his acts by making some of them appear like suicides and mutilating other victims in different ways.
Major Spoilers Ahead: What makes this film slightly different to the usual serial killer fare is the fact that the victims offer themselves as sacrifices in order to save their souls whilst the killer believes he is a healer who will resurrect someone by offering 12 willing sacrifices. So it's not the usual predator stalking the prey idea that is the norm in films dealing with serial killers.
Overall, this movie is somewhat slow paced and not action packed, but it is still worth watching due to the acting from Sarandon, Grace, Sutherland and Heyerdahl amongst others. The story itself is not bad and might interest someone who is looking for a dark and slower paced film which does not have car chases, gun fights or explosions galore. I would rate it between a 6-6.5/10. Worth checking out.