Ethan Herisse stars as Darryl in “Call of the Void” (Photo Credit: Gravitas Ventures).
(“Call of the Void” trailer courtesy of Gravitas Ventures)
RegalMag.com often labels Hollywood movies as redundant and formulaic.
Well, RegalMag.com often becomes redundant and formulaic with its critique of Hollywood movies.
The online publication often praises movies that take risks with their eccentricity.
But then it bashes films like “Call of the Void” that take those eccentricities too far.
“Call of the Void” is just a little too weird and too slow-paced to keep up with a modern generation that often does not have the patience to let storylines painstakingly play out.
In “Call of the Void,” Moray (Caitlin Carver, “I, Tonya”) just wants to escape to nature to attempt to ignore the trials and tribulations of her stressful life.
She tried to give her former employer a two-week notice of her resignation.
But her employer kindly escorted her out of the building two seconds later.
Despite her employment status ending tragically, Moray and her family have dealt with even greater tragedy.
She desperately needs some rest and relaxation to get her back in the right frame of mind to tackle all of life’s challenges.
The wilderness will give her the stillness that she needs.
But the woods present their unique problems as a strange British man (Ted Barton) with a dog tries to explain to her.
He advises Moray never to venture into the woods at night, advice she gladly takes.
But not even sound advice from a wise, but peculiar, man can totally prevent danger from coming a person’s way.
Although she craves peace and quiet, she receives the opposite.
In “Call of the Void,” Moray’s solitude at the cabin in the woods is broken up by the arrival of a rock band of college-aged kids, using their section of the cabin for music rehearsals.
Although the band actually sounds good, the noise is a nuisance to Moray, who is probably 10 years their senior.
Despite the age difference, the band’s lead singer Lucy (Mina Sundwall) attempts to befriend Moray.
She even invites her new neighbor over when she cooks bacon.
Even though Lucy seems hospitable, something seems off about her.
When Moray informs Lucy about her strange encounter with the British dog owner, Lucy reacts in a way that would raise suspicion.
Nevertheless, Moray takes Lucy up on her offer for bacon and even sits in on one of the band’s rehearsal sessions.
But while Lucy seems suspicious, the others working for the band seem a bit odd too.
In “Call of the Void,” Cole (Christian Antidormi) and Sterling (Richard Ellis) are talented musicians.
But they have obvious character flaws.
Sterling has a control problem.
And Cole is a complete jerk.
The way he talks down to Darryl (Ethan Herisse, “Nickel Boys”) should make Cole a prime candidate for a beatdown.
Nevertheless, Darryl is just too meek to initiate a confrontation with the bullying band member.
When he gets too handsy with the instruments, Cole puts him in check.
Furthermore, the band does not even include Darryl in any activities or conversations.
He is definitely the black sheep of the group and is completely out of place, which will make moviegoers wonder why he is even in their company.
At first, Darryl does not even talk, as if he is amongst a bunch of strangers.
Despite not fitting in with the band, Darryl has his talents as a film student at the same school the band members attend.
It is their college professor who allows the band to escape to the cabin to get some much-needed rehearsal time and even some time to do some research for school.
Despite their peculiarities, Lucy is welcoming enough to even invite Moray on a hike with the college crew.
Although initially declining the offer, Moray eventually joins the youngsters on their excursion.
Who knows?
Participating in some outdoor activities with her new friends might be just what the doctor ordered for her to overcome all the trials and tribulations she has been facing.
In “Call of the Void,” Moray’s new friends even offer her some bottled water so that she can stay hydrated during the hike.
Although a kind gesture, Moray has the presence of mind to bring her own water on the hike.
Nevertheless, Darryl does accept the water from his classmates and temporary roommates.
Almost immediately, Darryl spits the water after tasting something off.
But when the band members begin drinking their water, their new behavior makes their past odd behavior look very normal in comparison.
It is as if the water puts them in a trance-like state.
After drinking the water, their behavior could go from odd to dangerous in “Call of the Void,” and Moray might catch hell trying to escape the danger.
Unfortunately, the James B. Cox-directed “Call of the Void” is not that good.
The best part of “Call of the Void” is the band because they sound good, assuming the actors performed the music.
Additionally, the movie utilizes the talents of Herisse, who is one of the top up-and-coming young Black actors after his performance in “Nickel Boys” in 2024.
His mannerisms and charm might remind some moviegoers of Ashton Sanders in “Moonlight.”
While Herrise’s performance is not as commanding as his performance in “Nickel Boys” or Sanders’ performance in “Moonlight,” his talent is remarkable.
However, Cox does not do anything remarkable with “Call of the Void.”
The shots of insects are odd.
The singing at the end of “Call of the Void” is cringeworthy and will remind people of a certain age of Charles Manson’s singing female cult members in court.
While “Call of the Void” is not redundant or formulaic, it unfortunately goes a little too far left with its outlandishness.
REGAL RATINGS
FOUR CROWNS=EXCELLENT
THREE CROWNS=GOOD
TWO CROWNS=AVERAGE
ONE CROWN=POOR
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