When A Stranger Calls 1979 True Story

Okay, let's talk about a movie. A classic, some might say. I'm talking about When A Stranger Calls from 1979. You know, the one that probably scarred a generation of babysitters?

The premise is simple: a babysitter, Jill Johnson, gets creepy phone calls. The caller asks if she's checked the children. Dun dun dun!

The Urban Legend That Wasn't... Quite

Now, people often say this movie is based on a true story. An urban legend, maybe? The one about the babysitter and the calls coming from inside the house?

Well, technically... it's complicated. The film draws inspiration from various real-life crimes and fears. So, not a direct retelling of a specific event.

Think of it like this: it's a Frankenstein's monster of anxieties. Made from bits and pieces of our darkest babysitting nightmares. And probably some old newspaper clippings.

Unpopular Opinion Time!

Here's where I get controversial. Ready? The first 20 minutes of When A Stranger Calls? Pure gold. Terrifying, suspenseful, perfection!

After that? It kind of...meanders. Am I the only one who thinks so? It shifts focus, introduces new characters. It's like the movie forgot what made it great in the first place.

The whole thing pivots to a detective, John Clifford, trying to track down the caller, Curt Duncan. Suddenly, it's a police procedural. Sort of.

The Disconnect

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the attempt at depth. Exploring the killer's psychology, the detective's obsession. But it just doesn't land the same way.

The raw, primal fear of the opening? Gone. Replaced with something... different. Less impactful, in my humble opinion.

It's like ordering a delicious appetizer and then getting a completely different entree. You're still eating, but the magic is lost.

That Ending, Though...

Okay, I will admit, the very end has its moments. The final scene with Jill years later? Chilling. It brings back that initial sense of dread.

It's a reminder that some fears never truly go away. That trauma can linger, even years after the event. Pretty powerful stuff.

But does it fully redeem the somewhat lackluster middle section? I'm still not entirely convinced.

So, Was It All Worth It?

Despite my gripes, I still think When A Stranger Calls is worth watching. For the iconic opening alone! Seriously, those 20 minutes are legendary.

It's a fascinating example of how a simple concept can tap into our deepest fears. Even if the execution isn't perfect.

And hey, it definitely made me double-check the locks when I was a teenager babysitting. So, mission accomplished, I guess? Maybe I should thank Curt Duncan, but perhaps not.

Ultimately, When A Stranger Calls is a flawed masterpiece. Or maybe just a movie with a really, really great opening. Either way, it's stuck with us for a reason.

What do you think? Am I being too harsh? Or do you agree that the first 20 minutes are the best and everything else is just... extra?