Crisis Hotline
Crisis Hotline

Movie spotlight

Crisis Hotline

2019
Movie
92 min
English

A cynical counselor at a crisis hotline finds himself in a life or death situation when a young man calls and threatens to kill three people and then himself.

Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes65%
Metacritic58/100
Google Users72%
Director: Laura SmithGenres: Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

A dedicated crisis hotline operator, Sarah, finds her life unraveling when she receives a call from a desperate individual whose situation mirrors a dark secret from her past. As she navigates the dangerous call, she must confront her own trauma and fight for survival, both for the caller and herself. The film explores the psychological toll of helping others and the blurred lines between professional duty and personal entanglement.

Critical Reception

Crisis Hotline received mixed to positive reviews, with many critics praising its tense atmosphere and lead performances, particularly Anna Kendrick's portrayal of the struggling operator. However, some found the plot to be predictable and the thriller elements occasionally overshadowed the emotional depth. Audience reception was generally favorable, appreciating the suspenseful narrative and the exploration of mental health themes.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intense suspense and strong central performance.

  • Criticized for a plot that sometimes felt formulaic.

  • Noted for its sensitive handling of mental health crisis themes.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's ability to create suspense and its exploration of difficult subject matter. Many highlighted Anna Kendrick's performance as a standout, though some found the ending to be less impactful than the build-up.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Actress at the Independent Spirit Awards for Anna Kendrick. No major wins.

Fun Fact

The distinctive sound design of the phone calls was meticulously crafted to reflect the escalating emotional states of the characters, with subtle shifts in ambient noise and voice modulation used to build tension.

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