The Calling is a 2000 horror film directed by Richard Caesar. Following in the same vein as such classics as Rosemary's Baby and The Omen, The Calling is the story of Kristie St. Clair, the involuntary mother of the Antichrist, and possibly the only person who can stop the coming of a modern-day apocalypse. The film stars Laura Harris, Richard Lintern, Francis Magee, Alex Roe, and Alice Krige. The film is a co-production between the United Kingdom and Germany.
Contents
Plot
Kristie believes that she has the perfect life: a marriage to Marc, her charming TV personality husband, Dylan, her beautiful young son, an enchanting house in the British countryside, and a successful new career. However, as time passes, occurrences manifest that raise her suspicions.
Multiple incidents prompt these concerns. Dylan's violent behavior, which includes the impaling of his pet guinea pig on a stake and his apathy towards the death of a friend. Elizabeth, an old family friend, appears to be trying to replace Kristie whilst keeping her away from Marc and Dylan. Marc himself begins acting strangely, overreacting after a dog bite and hanging the dog in the backyard as punishment.
As her family withdraws further from her and she loses her best friend, Kristie encounters a mysterious taxi driver with unexplained knowledge of the events.
With the help of the taxi driver, Kristie comes to the conclusion that unless she stops him, Dylan will lead mankind into a horrifically malevolent future.
Eventually, Kristie, who stops caring for Dylan, escapes the hospital with Father Mullin and tells him it was a new time. Father Mullin rips off his white collar tab and throws it out the window as they drive away.
Cast
Laura Harris as Kristie St.Clair
Richard Lintern as Marc St.Clair
Francis Magee as Carmac
Alex Roe as Dylan St.Clair
Alice Krige as Elizabeth Plummer
John Standing as Jack Plummer
Peter Waddington as Father Mullin
Nick Brimble as Police Inspector Oliver Morton
Rachel Shelley as Shelly
Camilla Power as Lynette
Deborah Baxter as Receptionist
Jack MacKenzie as Norman
Roger Brierley as Reverend
Film locations
The majority of filming was in Cornwall, England, UK and London, England, UK.
Reception
The film received mixed to negative feedback from critics and audiences. Walter Chaw gave the film two stars out of four on Film Freak Central, writing that "[t]he film doesn't hold up to any kind of scrutiny and the acting is, how can I say it, "Tennessee Williams-y".