Is The Call Up Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, The Call Up is likely a skip if you enjoy Adventure movies.
It features a runtime of 90 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
The Call Up Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2016, The Call Up emerges as a significant entry in the Adventure, Action, Science Fiction domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of When a group of elite online gamers each receive a mysterious invitation to trial a state-of-the-art virtual reality video game, it’s a dream come true and impossible to resist. Unlike standard genre fare, The Call Up attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Adventure is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Call Up features a noteworthy lineup led by Max Deacon . Supported by the likes of Morfydd Clark and Ali Cook , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Call Up (2016) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.1/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
The Call Up Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: The Call Up is a Adventure, Action, Science Fiction film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
The Call Up Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: The Call Up attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to adventure resolution.
The climactic sequence delivers on the escalating tension, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the adventure themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Call Up reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Call Up?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Adventure films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Advertisement
Full Cast & Crew of The Call Up
- Max Deacon – Carl
- Morfydd Clark – Shelly
- Ali Cook – Edward
- Chris Obi – The Sergeant
- Tom Benedict Knight – Marco
Top Highlights
Max DeaconCarl
Morfydd ClarkShelly
Ali CookEdward
Chris ObiThe Sergeant
Tom Benedict KnightMarco
Dino FazzaniTerrorist
Adriana RandallTaylor
Malcolm ModeleTerrorist
Parker SawyersAndre
Boris LerZahid
Where to Watch The Call Up Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TVFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
The Call Up has not been officially rated yet. Based on its genres (Adventure, Action, Science Fiction), it contains violence, action sequences.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.1/10, and global collection metrics, The Call Up stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2016 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Call Up movie hit or flop?
The Call Up has received mixed reviews with a 5.1/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is The Call Up worth watching?
The Call Up is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Adventure, Action, Science Fiction movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch The Call Up online?
The Call Up may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Call Up
How The Call Up Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Call Up
I really didn't know what to expect from this but I have to say I really liked it! The suspense is on the edge of your seat stuff. Very timely with all the hype around VR at the moment. If you're in to your sci fi it's a must see...
I caught this at the London Sci-Fi festival where it went down a storm. It has a great premise (a group of gamers take part in a life-like virtual reality game like Call of Duty but things are more dangerous than they first appear...). The production design and direction are superb even with a small budget and there are strong performances throughout. Great fun all round – highly recommended!
An impressive film recommended to passionate gamers and for sci-fi buff. The apparently simple premise has the immediacy of a lost classic: pure, quite gripping and brilliantly transposed on screen. A little cult movie that deserves to be seen!
I really loved this film :) I saw it in the cinema and it kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish! It is full of cool twists, sprinkled with a good dash of humour too. (I didn't guess the plot twists which is always a sign of a good film for me!) Think Hunger Games, meets the Matrix - If you like sci-fi you have to see The Call Up!!
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
