You’re sitting on the couch, scrolling through Netflix, then Hulu, then maybe even checking that random Peacock account you forgot you had. You want to see The Call. But here is the thing: there isn’t just one movie with that name. It’s actually pretty annoying. If you’re looking for the 2020 South Korean thriller that blew everyone's minds during the pandemic, you’re in one place. If you’re looking for the Halle Berry 911 operator flick from 2013, you’re somewhere else entirely.
Let's get straight to the point. Where to watch The Call depends entirely on which version of the "phone-based-anxiety" genre you are actually craving tonight.
The Netflix Masterpiece: Park Shin-hye’s The Call (2020)
If you saw a clip on TikTok of a woman talking to someone in the past through an old cordless phone, you are looking for the South Korean psychological thriller directed by Lee Chung-hyun. This movie is a trip. It’s basically the reason people keep asking about this title years after it came out.
Netflix owns the global distribution rights for this one. It’s a Netflix Original. That means, barring some weird licensing shift that hasn't happened yet, Netflix is the only place to stream it. You won't find it on Disney+ or Paramount+. It’s tucked away in the "International Movies" or "Thrillers" category.
Honestly, it’s one of the best uses of the "butterfly effect" trope I’ve seen in a decade. Two women, same house, twenty years apart. They connect through a phone. One tries to save the other's father, but—spoiler alert—messing with time usually ends in a bloodbath. If you haven't seen it, just go watch it. Don't even read the rest of the plot. The twists are genuinely mean-spirited in the best way possible.
The Halle Berry Classic: The Call (2013)
Maybe you aren't looking for subtitles. Maybe you want the high-octane, sweaty-palms Hollywood version where Halle Berry plays a veteran 911 operator trying to save a kidnapped girl (Abigail Breslin) from the trunk of a car. This movie is a staple of "cable TV at 2 PM on a Saturday," but finding it on demand is a bit more of a moving target.
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Unlike the 2020 version, this isn't a "forever home" movie on any one service. As of right now, you can usually find it on Max (formerly HBO Max) or sometimes ** Peacock**.
The licensing for Sony Pictures releases (who distributed this) flips around a lot. If it isn't on a subscription service today, you’ve basically got two choices. You can rent it for about four bucks on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or the Google Play Store. Or, you can check those "free with ads" apps like Tubi or Freevee. They cycle through these 2010s thrillers constantly. One week it’s there, the next it’s gone. It’s the digital equivalent of a bargain bin.
Why Everyone Gets These Mixed Up
It’s the title. Obviously. Hollywood and international studios love short, punchy titles, and "The Call" is about as generic as it gets.
There is actually a third one. Did you know there’s a 2020 American horror movie also called The Call? It stars Lin Shaye and Tobin Bell (yes, Jigsaw himself). It’s about a group of kids who have to stay on the phone with a dead woman to win money. It’s... not great. But if that’s the one you’re looking for, it’s usually hanging out on Shudder or AMC+.
The South Korean one is the one people are usually talking about when they say "You HAVE to see The Call." It has a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. The Halle Berry one is more of a "guilty pleasure" popcorn movie with a 44% score, though audiences generally liked it more than critics did.
Technical Specs and Viewing Experience
If you’re watching the 2020 Korean version on Netflix, do yourself a massive favor. Turn off the English dub. I know, I know. Some people hate reading subtitles. But the performance by Jeon Jong-seo as the antagonist is terrifying. She won the Best Actress award at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards for this role. The English voice actor just doesn’t capture the sheer unhinged instability of her voice. Set the audio to Korean (Original) and keep the subs on. It’s a much better experience.
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For the 2013 version, the sound design is actually the most important part. Since so much of the movie takes place over a phone line, you want decent headphones or a soundbar. It’s all about the breathing, the scraping of the car trunk, and the frantic whispers.
Regional Availability and VPNs
Streaming rights are a legal nightmare. In the US, the 2020 film is strictly Netflix. But if you’re in the UK or Canada, sometimes these things shift. Usually, Netflix Originals stay put, but third-party films like the 2013 Berry version might be on Binge in Australia or Crave in Canada.
If you’re traveling and can't find your movie, a VPN is your best friend. Just point it back to your home country. Most people use NordVPN or ExpressVPN for this. It’s a simple way to make sure the "where to watch" answer doesn't change just because you crossed a border.
How to Check Right This Second
Streaming libraries change literally overnight. I’ve seen movies disappear at midnight on the first of the month more times than I can count.
If you want the most up-to-date answer for your specific zip code, use JustWatch. You type in the movie, and it tells you exactly who has it for free, who has it for a subscription, and who is charging $3.99 for a rental. It’s much more reliable than Google’s own "Ways to Watch" sidebar, which often forgets about smaller platforms like Kanopy or Hoopla (which you can use for free with a library card!).
Final Checklist for Your Movie Night
Stop searching and start watching. Here is how you decide:
- Want a mind-bending, time-travel thriller? Go to Netflix. Search for the one with the two women on the poster. Make sure it's the 2020 version.
- Want a classic kidnapped-in-a-trunk thriller? Check Max first. If not, hit up Tubi or just cough up the few dollars to rent it on Prime.
- Want a supernatural horror with Jigsaw? Head over to Shudder.
Don't bother looking for these on basic cable anymore. Those days are mostly over. The convenience of streaming means you can find "The Call" in about thirty seconds, provided you know which "Call" you're actually trying to answer.
Get your settings right—especially those subtitles for the Korean version—and dim the lights. Both the 2020 and 2013 films rely heavily on atmosphere and tension. They aren't "second screen" movies where you can check your phone the whole time. You'll miss the clues.
Your Next Steps
- Verify the Year: Double-check the release year in the description before you hit play. There is nothing worse than being twenty minutes into the wrong movie.
- Check Your Library: Before paying for a rental, log into Hoopla or Kanopy with your public library card. These services often carry the 2013 version and the Lin Shaye horror version for free.
- Adjust Audio Settings: If watching the Netflix 2020 version, navigate to "Audio & Subtitles" and ensure it is set to "Korean [Original]" to preserve the intended tension of the performances.