The topic of films about cell phones encompasses a broad range of narratives, from suspenseful thrillers where the device is a key to unlocking a mystery, to social commentaries that explore the impact of mobile technology on human connection and society. These films often delve into the various ways cell phones have become integral to modern life, whether as tools for communication, objects of addiction, or instruments in more nefarious activities. Here are some notable films that center around or significantly feature cell phones:
“One Missed Call”, 2007
Director: Eric Valette
This horror film tells the story of people who receive voicemails from their future selves, foretelling the exact moment of their deaths, leading to a frenetic investigation into the supernatural forces at play.
Starring: Shannyn Sossamon, Edward Burns, Ana Claudia Talancón, Ray Wise, Azura Skye, Johnny Lewis, Jason Beghe, Margaret Cho, Meagan Good, Rhoda Griffis;
Production year: 2007;
Genre: horror, detective;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 87 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 4;
More information about the film “One Missed Call” on the website imdb.com
“Disconnect”, 2012
Director: Henry Alex Rubin
An ensemble drama that explores the consequences of modern technology on personal interactions and relationships, showing how cell phones and other devices can both connect and isolate individuals.
Starring: Jason Bateman, Hope Davis, Frank Grillo, Michael Nyqvist, Paula Patton, Andrea Riseborough, Alexander Skarsgård, Max Thieriot, Colin Ford, Jonah Bobo;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 115 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Disconnect” on the website imdb.com
“Searching”, 2018
Director: Aneesh Chaganty
A unique thriller that unfolds entirely on computer and smartphone screens, following a desperate father's online hunt for his missing daughter by piecing together clues from her digital footprint.
Starring: John Cho, Sara Sohn, Alex Jayne Go, Megan Liu, Kya Dawn Lau, Michelle La, Joseph Lee, Dominic Hoffman, Melissa Disney;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: detective, thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “Searching” on the website imdb.com
“Countdown”, 2019
Director: Justin Dec
This horror film introduces an app that predicts exactly when the user is going to die, leading to a series of terrifying events for those who download it and find their time is almost up.
Starring: Elizabeth Lail, Jordan Calloway, Talitha Eliana Bateman, Tichina Arnold, P.J. Byrne, Peter Facinelli, Charlie McDermott, Dillon Lane, Tom Segura, Lana McKissack;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: horror;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 90 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,4;
“The Call”, 2013
Director: Brad Anderson
A South Korean thriller that spans across two different times, connecting two women via a phone call that has devastating consequences for both their past and future.
Starring: Halle Berry, Abigail Breslin, Morris Chestnut, Michael Eklund, Michael Imperioli, David Otunga, Justina Machado, José Zúñiga, Roma Maffia, Evie Thompson;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: thriller, crime, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 95 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
These films utilize cell phones not just as ordinary props or tools for communication, but as pivotal elements that drive the plot forward, creating suspense, horror, or a commentary on the digital age.
In the age where smartphones have become the central hub of our daily lives, the evolution of cinema to include narratives centered around cell phones is both inevitable and fascinating. The exploration of this theme across various genres—from thrillers that tap into our deepest insecurities about privacy invasion, to comedies that poke fun at our inability to disconnect, even in the most human moments—reflects our complex relationship with these devices. Films about cell phones not only mirror the omnipresence and omnipotence of technology in our modern existence but also offer a critical lens through which we can assess our interactions with it. They push audiences toward a deeper understanding of how these devices are reshaping human experiences, emotions, relationships, and even our identities. As filmmakers continue to innovate and reflect on the role of cell phones, their work will remain an essential cultural artifact of our time, capturing the beauty and the paradox of our interconnected, yet isolated, lives.
