The underwhelmingly derivative clash of modern horror titans waits patiently for the streaming dial tone

Despite boasting decades upon decades of experience in the film and television industry, Tobin Bell and Lin Shaye were reborn as horror icons in the 21st Century, so there were naturally a lot of genre junkies beside themselves with excitement at the prospect of seeing them team up for 2020’s The Call.

The premise was deliciously ripe, too, with the Insidious star playing a woman accused of witchcraft who passes away with the curious caveat of having a phone installed in her casket. When a group of people who made her life a misery decide to give it a call and see what happens, all hell breaks loose when somebody on the other end answers.

Bell plays the husband of Shaye’s Edith Cranston, with the Saw alum bringing his signature blend of unnerving gravitas to the role of Edward. The notion of seeing such heavy hitters join forces in a supernatural scare-fest that leaned into both of their wheelhouses was enough to entice viewers, but critics weren’t exactly won over.

The Call holds a middling score of only 46 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, but a robust 68 percent audience approval rating indicates that it appealed to its target demographic. Underlining that point once again, director Timothy Woodward Jr.’s descent into the gaping mouth of hell has conjured up a new lease of life on streaming.

Per FlixPatrol, The Call has summoned a spot on the iTunes worldwide watch-list, with the dynamic duo of Shaye and Bell more than capable on their own of selling subscribers with a soft spot for the genre on the project regardless of how the end product turned out.