My quick rating - 4.9/10. I found this one after accidentally watching the sequel. It takes a stab at blending supernatural horror with slasher elements, delivering a low-budget but effective thriller. Directed by Chad Ferrin, the film follows telephone psychic Clementine Carter (Susan Priver), whose abilities place her in the crosshairs of a serial killer. As she begins predicting his murders before they happen, she must use her gifts—and those of her clairvoyant co-worker—to stay ahead of a deeply disturbed individual. The film carries a definite Giallo influence, though it doesn’t fully commit to the signature neon-soaked aesthetic of the genre. Ferrin leans more into grimy, atmospheric tension rather than the bold color palettes typically associated with Giallo, which might feel like a missed opportunity. However, the live-action sequences blending into Clementine’s visions are a highlight, effectively creating an eerie sense of premonition. The practical effects, while clearly low-budget, do their job. The kills, which ultimately set up the sequel Scalper, are serviceable, though some of the gore comes across as rubbery. Still, considering the constraints, it's hard to fault the effort put into practical effects over CGI. The killer himself is intentionally more deranged than intimidating, which might not sit well with those expecting a more menacing presence, but the film’s use of flashbacks to flesh out his motives is a nice touch. Bai Ling, who plays a secondary psychic in Night Caller, later returns in Scalper, and she brings an interesting energy to her role here. Her performance stands out in a film that otherwise relies on more restrained character work. Overall, this flick isn’t groundbreaking, but for a low-budget horror flick, it delivers a solid setup for its sequel. The concept is intriguing, the execution is decent, and while it doesn’t fully embrace its Giallo influences visually, it still manages to carve out its own unsettling atmosphere.
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