Calls Early Review

Calls is based on an original TV series created by Timothée Hochet that first aired in France. In a nutshell, The series is unlike anything you’ve experienced in a TV series, and for that reason alone, it’s worth the watch. So what exactly is this TV series about? Calls is a series that has swapped the usual visual format, opting for an auditory approach. Instead of “watching” each episode, viewers can only hear what each character is saying through a series of phone calls hence the name.

The characters are everyday people just like you and me who are interconnected through their experience of a post-apocalyptic event. Some of these characters know something isn’t right, and others don’t, which can be a little confusing. The beauty of listening to this series instead of watching actors acting out their roles is that it becomes completely immersive. One has to put together what is going on between these people in your mind and imagine how each person reacts to the events that unfold. Each episode is a unique experience, with some being a little more lighthearted than others. Some episodes depict violence, and disturbing situations, so viewers need be aware if they intend to listen to Calls.

Each call is accompanied by a “graphical image” of the phone calls being made and connected from one character to another. So viewers are not staring at a blank screen or only listening to a voice recording. And the visuals are an important part of the experience because they clearly show you who is speaking and when their phone calls connect to another person. Meanwhile, the cast is superb with voice acting from Pedro Pascal, Aubry Plaza, Lily Collins, Karen Gillan, Stephen Lang, Rosario Dawson and many others.

It’s important to listen to each episode because the events from one episode can connect with another, particularly the episodes about time. These episodes were arguably the hardest to listen to because the actors do such an incredible job of showing intense emotion using only their voice. Viewers are sure to feel a little rattled by some of the recordings and perhaps even stressed or uncomfortable. It’s a serious show with top-notch voice acting, so you can expect only the very best these actors have to offer. While it may seem too difficult for some to truly envision what is happening in each episode, this goes away after getting a few episodes under their belts before surely binging the rest.

As a first-time experience with voice over visual story-telling, it will feel different, but the feeling one gets here is what makes Calls so entertaining. Viewers don’t know what to expect, especially those who’ve never listened to a podcast before. Calls can be likened to a podcast of sorts, but it’s definitely on another level completely with the talented actors that have lent their voices here.

In the end, for those who are still undecided, the episode that features Pedro Pascal as “Pedro” is a must-watch. If viewers start there, they will not be disappointed.

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