One Missed Call (2008)
87 min · Horror, Thriller
A remake of a respected Japanese horror film that earned 0% on Rotten Tomatoes, becoming the rare horror sequel that strips every trace of tension from its source.
The Bottom Reel's take
Sometimes a film aims for bone-chilling terror and lands squarely in accidental hilarity. Such is the case with 2008’s *One Missed Call*, a movie that bravely tried to translate the dread of its Japanese predecessor for a new audience. What we got instead was an 87-minute masterclass in how to strip every last shred of tension from a horror premise. It’s the kind of ambition we love to see, even if the result is less a scary movie and more a perplexing artifact of early-aughts filmmaking attempting to recreate a phenomenon it fundamentally misunderstands.
This particular brand of badness comes from a fascinating place: a remake of a respected Japanese horror film. But where the original found its footing, this American iteration stumbled so spectacularly it earned the infamous 0% on Rotten Tomatoes. That's not just a low score; it's a testament to a specific kind of craft failure, where every decision seems to veer just a little bit off course. The film’s very essence lies in its inability to generate the suspense required for a thriller, or the scares demanded by a horror film. Instead, we’re treated to something far more unique: an unintentional comedy of errors wrapped in a ghostly premise.
Yet, this isn't a film to dismiss. Quite the opposite! *One Missed Call* is an invitation to a different kind of cinematic experience. It’s an exercise in appreciating the sheer audacity of a movie that misses its mark so completely it becomes unforgettable. The pacing, the attempts at jump scares, the ominous voicemails that somehow manage to feel less menacing with each listen – it all coalesces into something genuinely fun. The film doesn't just fail; it *commits* to its failure, creating a bizarre, almost hypnotic quality that keeps you watching, if only to see what delightfully baffling choice comes next.
So, for your next Friday night, gather your most irreverent friends, stock up on snacks, and settle in for *One Missed Call*. Forget trying to be scared; instead, embrace the camp, the missteps, and the sheer audacity of a film that tried so hard to be terrifying and ended up being famously, unforgettably fun. It’s a perfect reminder that sometimes, the biggest swing-and-a-miss can be the most entertaining show.
Synopsis
A college student investigates a chain of eerie voicemails from the future predicting the deaths of her friends one by one.