1993·Horror·1h 34m
7.0
★
A retired detective and a crisis-center counselor hunt a killer stalking a coed.
Directed by Fred Walton
babysitter
stalker
sequel
ventriloquist
phone terror
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
Carol Kane
Jill Johnson
Charles Durning
John Clifford
Jill Schoelen
Julia Jenz
Karen Elizabeth Austin
Skid Row Woman
Babs Chula
Agent
John Destry
Detective 1
Duncan Fraser
Club Owner
Gary Jones
X-Ray Technician
Terence Kelly
Medical Examiner
Kevin McNulty
Dr. Schifrin
Sheelah Megill
Center Woman 2
Bobby Stewart
Detective 2
Crew
Fred Walton
Director
Fred Walton
Writer
Dana Kaproff
Original Music Composer
Fred Walton
Characters
Melissa R. Stubbs
Stunt Double
Popular Reviews
48 reviews
Gaia
10.0★ · 02/02/26
THIS. THIS IS WHAT I WANTED FROM THE OG!
I remember being lowkey disappointed when i watched the original "when a stranger calls" and the focus wasn't on the Final girl as much as i would've liked, it lost me a little bit after the opening sequence.
But "when a stranger calls back" was AMAZING! That opening scene gave me true scream vibes before scream was even relased.
The heart of this movie is Jill and Julia's relationship. Them understanding and trusting each other is what makes this such a good sequel, and the focus of this movie being about the trauma they both went though and how it's so hard to be believed as a woman before someone actually takes action was such a good idea, and, unfortunately, it still feels very relatable in the present even tho the movie came out more than 30 years ago.
I remember being lowkey disappointed when i watched the original "when a stranger calls" and the focus wasn't on the Final girl as much as i would've liked, it lost me a little bit after the opening sequence.
But "when a stranger calls back" was AMAZING! That opening scene gave me true scream vibes before scream was even relased.
The heart of this movie is Jill and Julia's relationship. Them understanding and trusting each other is what makes this such a good sequel, and the focus of this movie being about the trauma they both went though and how it's so hard to be believed as a woman before someone actually takes action was such a good idea, and, unfortunately, it still feels very relatable in the present even tho the movie came out more than 30 years ago.
THIS. THIS IS WHAT I WANTED FROM THE OG!
I remember being lowkey disappointed when i watched the original "when a stranger calls" and the focus wasn't on the Final girl as much as i would've liked, it lost me a little bit after the opening sequence.
But "when a stranger calls back" was AMAZING! That opening scene gave me true scream vibes before scream was even relased.
The heart of this movie is Jill and Julia's relationship. Them understanding and trusting each other is what makes this such a good sequel, and the focus of this movie being about the trauma they both went though and how it's so hard to be believed as a woman before someone actually takes action was such a good idea, and, unfortunately, it still feels very relatable in the present even tho the movie came out more than 30 years ago.
I remember being lowkey disappointed when i watched the original "when a stranger calls" and the focus wasn't on the Final girl as much as i would've liked, it lost me a little bit after the opening sequence.
But "when a stranger calls back" was AMAZING! That opening scene gave me true scream vibes before scream was even relased.
The heart of this movie is Jill and Julia's relationship. Them understanding and trusting each other is what makes this such a good sequel, and the focus of this movie being about the trauma they both went though and how it's so hard to be believed as a woman before someone actually takes action was such a good idea, and, unfortunately, it still feels very relatable in the present even tho the movie came out more than 30 years ago.
Somto Umelo
7.0★ · 12/26/25
This franchise is just middling imo.
This franchise is just middling imo.
TonyTonyTony01
7.0★ · 10/26/25
fiquei boa parte do filme com um pouco de medo e percebi que tenho medo do inesperado
fiquei boa parte do filme com um pouco de medo e percebi que tenho medo do inesperado
Wilder WildPRO
10.0★ · 10/25/25
Woah this movie surprised me. This is my favorite one in the franchise. I was invested the entire time. This is what I wished the original was. The original first 20 minutes were amazing… second half was not that intriguing….. third half was solid. While everything was intriguing in this film. That first 20 minutes was low key better than the original. And I love the original opening. As we follow the film we just discovered so many new things. The way everyone was already ready to dismiss her problem. You are able to tell when things are different in your house. Even when it’s something small you are able to. That hospital scene was so creepy. The way he just walk in. Founding out he was a Ventriloquism made the first 20 minutes even scarier. The dude was in the house the entire time. I feel bad for Julia. Can we talk about Jill though. The way she hit him with the “Buffy” special at the end. That was so badass. I was yelling. Such a good movie wow. This is why I love sequels and never complain. Also tv movie rule!!!
Woah this movie surprised me. This is my favorite one in the franchise. I was invested the entire time. This is what I wished the original was. The original first 20 minutes were amazing… second half was not that intriguing….. third half was solid. While everything was intriguing in this film. That first 20 minutes was low key better than the original. And I love the original opening. As we follow the film we just discovered so many new things. The way everyone was already ready to dismiss her problem. You are able to tell when things are different in your house. Even when it’s something small you are able to. That hospital scene was so creepy. The way he just walk in. Founding out he was a Ventriloquism made the first 20 minutes even scarier. The dude was in the house the entire time. I feel bad for Julia. Can we talk about Jill though. The way she hit him with the “Buffy” special at the end. That was so badass. I was yelling. Such a good movie wow. This is why I love sequels and never complain. Also tv movie rule!!!
Stevie Gray
6.0★ · 10/15/25
Stevie’s Spooky Season List 2025 #11
https://boxd.it/Ny0Ue
I had a lot of fun with this one! Especially for it being a made for TV movie.
The jump to to 90s give it an interesting and different feel.
Jill truly was truly pre Scream Sydney Prescott. Learning self defense and becoming a crisis councilor are so classic final girl. I loved her father/daughter relationship with Clifford. And immediately believing Julia not matter what.
And Julia’s such a cutie, I loved her little mannerisms. The whole opening with the man repeatedly coming to the door until you see him right next to her spooked me! The image of him reaching his hands out was so terrifying.
You feel that self doubt right along with her when her apartments being broken into. I love how unnerving it all was. Watching every single frame for her attacker.
The cops were so infuriating, not believing her. And when she got shot! I was with Jill 100% that it was the killer.
The third act got a little slow with detective work, but not as bad as the first film. The man painted all black and the added nudity weren’t necessary.
The camouflage that was used in the last scene was much more interesting. Tapping into that primal fear that somebody’s watching you that you just can’t see. Just the killers eyes being visible was so creepy. And the scare of him jumping out caught me so off guard. I love that Jill was able to fight him off for the most part, but she didn’t go for that final girl double tap. I wish she was able to defeat him all on her own, I do love that Clifford came in with his handy dandy pistol again.
And Julia’s alive! Yay for horror movie found family.
(But they didn’t give any explanation on if the kids from the beginnin survived or not!)
https://boxd.it/Ny0Ue
I had a lot of fun with this one! Especially for it being a made for TV movie.
The jump to to 90s give it an interesting and different feel.
Jill truly was truly pre Scream Sydney Prescott. Learning self defense and becoming a crisis councilor are so classic final girl. I loved her father/daughter relationship with Clifford. And immediately believing Julia not matter what.
And Julia’s such a cutie, I loved her little mannerisms. The whole opening with the man repeatedly coming to the door until you see him right next to her spooked me! The image of him reaching his hands out was so terrifying.
You feel that self doubt right along with her when her apartments being broken into. I love how unnerving it all was. Watching every single frame for her attacker.
The cops were so infuriating, not believing her. And when she got shot! I was with Jill 100% that it was the killer.
The third act got a little slow with detective work, but not as bad as the first film. The man painted all black and the added nudity weren’t necessary.
The camouflage that was used in the last scene was much more interesting. Tapping into that primal fear that somebody’s watching you that you just can’t see. Just the killers eyes being visible was so creepy. And the scare of him jumping out caught me so off guard. I love that Jill was able to fight him off for the most part, but she didn’t go for that final girl double tap. I wish she was able to defeat him all on her own, I do love that Clifford came in with his handy dandy pistol again.
And Julia’s alive! Yay for horror movie found family.
(But they didn’t give any explanation on if the kids from the beginnin survived or not!)
Stevie’s Spooky Season List 2025 #11
https://boxd.it/Ny0Ue
I had a lot of fun with this one! Especially for it being a made for TV movie.
The jump to to 90s give it an interesting and different feel.
Jill truly was truly pre Scream Sydney Prescott. Learning self defense and becoming a crisis councilor are so classic final girl. I loved her father/daughter relationship with Clifford. And immediately believing Julia not matter what.
And Julia’s such a cutie, I loved her little mannerisms. The whole opening with the man repeatedly coming to the door until you see him right next to her spooked me! The image of him reaching his hands out was so terrifying.
You feel that self doubt right along with her when her apartments being broken into. I love how unnerving it all was. Watching every single frame for her attacker.
The cops were so infuriating, not believing her. And when she got shot! I was with Jill 100% that it was the killer.
The third act got a little slow with detective work, but not as bad as the first film. The man painted all black and the added nudity weren’t necessary.
The camouflage that was used in the last scene was much more interesting. Tapping into that primal fear that somebody’s watching you that you just can’t see. Just the killers eyes being visible was so creepy. And the scare of him jumping out caught me so off guard. I love that Jill was able to fight him off for the most part, but she didn’t go for that final girl double tap. I wish she was able to defeat him all on her own, I do love that Clifford came in with his handy dandy pistol again.
And Julia’s alive! Yay for horror movie found family.
(But they didn’t give any explanation on if the kids from the beginnin survived or not!)
https://boxd.it/Ny0Ue
I had a lot of fun with this one! Especially for it being a made for TV movie.
The jump to to 90s give it an interesting and different feel.
Jill truly was truly pre Scream Sydney Prescott. Learning self defense and becoming a crisis councilor are so classic final girl. I loved her father/daughter relationship with Clifford. And immediately believing Julia not matter what.
And Julia’s such a cutie, I loved her little mannerisms. The whole opening with the man repeatedly coming to the door until you see him right next to her spooked me! The image of him reaching his hands out was so terrifying.
You feel that self doubt right along with her when her apartments being broken into. I love how unnerving it all was. Watching every single frame for her attacker.
The cops were so infuriating, not believing her. And when she got shot! I was with Jill 100% that it was the killer.
The third act got a little slow with detective work, but not as bad as the first film. The man painted all black and the added nudity weren’t necessary.
The camouflage that was used in the last scene was much more interesting. Tapping into that primal fear that somebody’s watching you that you just can’t see. Just the killers eyes being visible was so creepy. And the scare of him jumping out caught me so off guard. I love that Jill was able to fight him off for the most part, but she didn’t go for that final girl double tap. I wish she was able to defeat him all on her own, I do love that Clifford came in with his handy dandy pistol again.
And Julia’s alive! Yay for horror movie found family.
(But they didn’t give any explanation on if the kids from the beginnin survived or not!)