The Phone Call (2013)

In the heart of a bustling crisis center, Heather, a timid yet compassionate hotline volunteer, answers an enigmatic call that plunges her into a world of unspoken despair and regret. On the other end of the line, she meets Stan, a man shrouded in sorrow and remorse, his voice choked with tears as he cryptically alludes to a haunting event from two years ago. His pain, palpable and intense, reverberates through every word, leaving Heather grappling with the weight of his impending doom. As Stan teeters on the precipice of life and death, fueled by a dangerous cocktail of prescription anti-depressants and despondency, Heather finds herself becoming his sole beacon of hope. Despite her initial struggle to uncover the mystery of his suffering, she becomes drawn into his plight, his need for her—someone, anyone—to metaphorically cradle his hand through his final moments becomes a desperate plea she cannot ignore. With the clock ticking and the absence of support staff amplifying the urgency, Heather must weave through the nuances of their conversation, picking up subtle clues and piecing together Stan's fractured narrative. As she strives to reach him before it's too late, their fateful encounter forever intertwines their lives in a dance of empathy and desperation. Unknowingly, Heather embarks on a transformative journey that will irrevocably alter her perspective on life, loss, and human connection.

The Phone Call is a drama movie featuring Sally Hawkins and directed by Mat Kirkby.

The Phone Call is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Argo and DIRECTV.